The media also needs to reflect on its role during times of a national crisis in the aftermath of the latest attacks. Names of terrorists involved were flashed on TV screens even before the security agencies reached any conclusions. Not only this, the mad scramble for TRPs had TV channels reporting live every single detail of the retaliation planned by the Indian security agencies outside the two hotels. Terrorists inside the hotels were watching the live feed and planning their counter moves. The hotel authorities had to cut off cable feeds inside the hotel to stop terrorists from gaining this vital information advantage. This was irresponsible reporting at its worst, and a blatant misuse of the freedom enjoyed by the press. The government has to take the initiative in laying down a code of conduct for live reporting by electronic media.

Hope returns

Jammu & Kashmir is turning to a decisive chapter in its turbulent history, if early trends in state assembly elections are anything to go by. A 65 per cent voter turnout in the face of boycott calls by separatists is an extraordinary figure. Remarkably, constituencies worst affected by the separatist movement have recorded the highest turnout. Despite threats by separatists, Kashmiris have gone all out in exercising their democratic rights, in an election conducted by Election Commission of India and contested by mainstream political parties owing allegiance to the Indian state.

A fortuitous turn of external events has also stoked this hope. In Asif Ali Zardari, we have a Pakistani head of state more pragmatic and open-minded than any of his predecessors. The opportunity is ripe for India and Pakistan to vow complete non-interference in the each other’s internal affairs.

... contd.