Opinion When the media doesn’t play ball

Venus: Umm… now what did I say to that the last time?

Journalist: No,really.

Venus: I don’t know,I guess I’d like to be asked when was the last time I went to Dunkin’ Donuts.

Journalist: What WAS the last time you went to Dunkin’ Donuts?

Venus: (after thinking for a while) Yesterday.

The relationship between a reporter and their subject,especially in sports journalism,is a tricky one even at the best of times. There are too many things to worry about — get to know the player,well enough to make them trust you,but not so well that you become protective of them; since what sportsmen do on a daily basis is often associated with heroism,it’s important that you don’t get enamoured; and,conversely,because familiarity can breed contempt,you have to be sure to treat them with respect,at least as much as you expect in return.

The reason why I’m stating these seemingly obvious facts this week is because the ongoing situation in England,where the Indian cricket team is almost at loggerheads with the travelling media,has become both intriguing and mildly dramatic.

It’s not the first time,and it won’t be the last,that an Indian cricket captain has clashed with the press. But like in every scenario of this nature,in hindsight both sides will be left ruing mistakes made by them because the confrontation will seem not only regrettable but also one that could’ve been easily avoided.

The facts of the case from the team’s point of view are simple enough. They believe a wrong report was published in a newspaper about a rift within their ranks,and because they “value their unity” more than anything else,the entire squad marched in together for a press conference,issued awritten statement,refused to interact with the press save the mandatory briefings,and decided to react sharply at any hint of agitation.

For them,the media has all but ceased to exist on this trip. And though there will be cross-border discussions on an individual level,nothing official or unofficial is expected to pass from the India camp even to their friends and long-time acquaintances on the other side.

From the reporters’ point of view,the situation has more than one dimension — if the story of a discord in the team,however unlikely,was correct,they believe they had every right to highlight it; and,if it was incorrect,they’re frustrated with the team because they consider the blanket ban a gross over-reaction almost bordering on childishness.

The problem is how this has become a clash of personalities along with being a clash of issues. Hardly surprising considering what’s been happening over the last few years both in cricket reporting,which is slowly deteriorating to either sensationalism or reverence,and in the team,which has transformed into an assertive,closed group where every outside query is treated as an unnecessary intrusion.

The funny thing is that this perceived arrogance lasts only when the team is winning. A losing side is,by nature,more humble and conciliatory. And (pardon me for being pedantic) Dhoni & Co need to realise in this latest stand-off that both sides are doing jobs that are not exclusive of each other. While the team is one unit,the media is not a singular entity. It’s made up of several teams — each representing a newspaper or a TV channel —and it’s hard to justify when the frustration against one of those units is taken out on the whole group.

A bit of humour from either side at a time like this never really hurt anybody. So,MSD,when was the last time you went to Dunkin’ Donuts?

kunal.pradhan@expressindia.com