Opinion Our media,their media

A foreign journalist and his publication are caught in the crosshairs of the UPA government and not for the first time

September 7, 2012 03:50 AM IST First published on: Sep 7, 2012 at 03:50 AM IST

A foreign journalist and his publication are caught in the crosshairs of the UPA government and not for the first time. The Washington Post critique of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Indias silent Prime Minister becomes a tragic figure has drawn fire from Singhs office. The PMO has accused the author,the Posts India Bureau Chief Simon Denyer,of not getting its side of the story while Denyer has rubbished that claim by pointing out that several attempts to talk to the PM or his officials were ignored or declined.

The episode is a classic example of the travails of the foreign media in India and the wall of distrust the Indian establishment has built over the decades to deny access and ensure some distance from foreign journalists.

Having been on both sides of this media divide,this writer has first-hand experience of the suspicion,and sometimes derision,Indian officials and government leaders subject the foreign media to. And in comparison,favour the Indian media with access and exclusive information,the bread and butter of the profession.

The general grouse is that the foreign media is excessively rigorous,wants to identify its source of information,is generally a stickler for balance and objectivity and not given to spin. Some sections of the establishment also harbour colonial hangovers about being questioned by outsiders even when domestic critics are unsparing.

This attitude forces the foreign media to often depend on information crumbs from government spokespersons and journalists working for the Indian media and opinions of local analysts. Sometimes,this leads to foreign media reports being rather simplistic or unsuccessful in grasping and explaining the nuances of a large,complicated country such as India. Sections of the foreign media are also guilty of pre-conceived notions or pursuing stereotypes and end up exposing their limited understanding.

The situation may have been acceptable if India was an intolerant autocracy. But this country remains a huge story for the international media and foreign publications are only expanding here,seeking to better inform readers back home and also tap local readers online. The Internet and social media have fanned this trend and seeking to curb them can only blow up in the face of the government as it recently discovered. In such hyper-informative times,an open and accessible government can avoid such needless scraps with the messenger,if nothing else.

yp.rajesh@expressindia.com