Four BJP ministers, four diplomats, and nine defence experts will be shown on Doordarshan and heard on All India Radio — the 17 will form the Ministry of External Affairs’ wishlist to combat Pakistan on the airwaves.Running roughly into three and half pages, the list recommends Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj, Communications Minister Pramod Mahajan, Law Minister Arun Jaitley and Minister of State for Coal and Mines Ravishankar Prasad as spokespersons for the Government until the crisis ends.As for diplomats, Naresh Chandra, Satish Chandra, G. Parthasarathy, and M.K. Rasgotra’s views have been recommended for a hearing by the MEA. Experts on India-Pakistan range between K. Subramanayam, Satish Nambiar, and Ashok Mehta.Ever since PM Vajpayee’s visit to Srinagar following the Kaluchak massacre last month, the MEA has been showing a keen interest in media management and the presentation of news on the official channels of information.Sample MEA’s suggestions to DD and AIR: The national mood of anger against Pakistan should come out in political discussions and debates; Pakistan, not India, has been making irresponsible statements, and there cannot be a nuclear flashpoint as India, unlike Pakistan has a well-structured command; Pakistan is responsible for the crisis.The writ of MEA is confined to the national broadcaster though other television channels on their own, seem to be following it. Minister of State for Mines and Coal Ravishankar Prasad’s presence on the channels has increased as he airs his views on India and Pakistan! News channels denied receiving instructions from the MEA.
