Why does the public broadcaster always cede ground to private channels even when the source of news is the government? While other channels responded to the surgical strike in the early hours of Thursday by getting a variety of spokespersons and analysts on air, by dispatching a reporter to the Line of Control (IndiaTV) and generally sounding both belligerent and on the ball, Doordarshan was plodding along. A static legend on the screen said Pak ko Bharat ka mutod jawab. (India’s befitting reply to Pakistan). Does this show that India has the confidence, asked anchor Neelam of a retired major general in a conversation which went on and on. Other channels used the terms capability and political will.