Letter to the Hoot—Credibility of the BBC at stake

Today is Day 17, of the Iraq war. An avid watcher of the story as it unfolded on the visual media, primarily the BBC and the CNN, I am puzzled, provoked and shocked. As an Indian, I  (remember the shot of Rajiv Gandhi at Calcutta airport, tuning in to the BBC to get the low down on what happened to Indira Gandhi?)  never questioned whatever I heard or saw, on the BBC.    However the present war has confused me and and I am beginning  to wonder whether the rules of reporting actually undergo a sea change, if nationalist feeling and a deeply entrenched impulse of being seen to bolster the morale of the home troops, complicates the duty of being a journalist first and foremost.

A thoroughly professional outfit like the BBC is at the crossroads. Not only has it had to retract several breaking news stories, the ethics of embedding British journalists with British troops is resulting in a peculiar problem. The use of the pronoun "our" while reporting the deeds of their soldiers is inappropriate. Despite the fact that they are moving with the army, they are not able to see for themselves what they report as the achievement of "our troops". Tchh, tchh,  Beeb, wake up before your credibility ratings slip.

    The world has been reduced to a global village. The future of every individual on this planet is so closely enmeshed with what is happening elsewhere. It is high time that human interest prevails over national interest. Today it is more important than ever before that reporters keep the broader frame in mind while doing their duty. Narrow national or sectarian interests seem to have no place in today’s world. Objectivity is the first casualty if patriotic fervour or what you wish to happen, is allowed to reflect in the views expressed on a news channel. It should just be saying what is happening without taking sides.  It is a tall order and easier said than done. But then, is it not the only true test of professional integrity?

Kahkashan Naqvi,
Chandigarh
5.4.2003