'The Guardian', London in Editorial asked Indians to 'think hard' about re-electing PM Narendra Modi. Now analyst Chris Blackburn says such pieces hinder work of foreign press in India.
“Editorials of this nature hinder the work of foreign press in India. Collectively, foreign correspondents should express their concerns to 'The Guardian' — asking them to refrain from biased reporting.
Tell them to put a sock in it,” Chris Blackburn wrote in the 'Daily Express'.
India, with its kaleidoscope of diversity and contradictions, stands as a captivating subject for global journalism.
However, Western media often falls short of accurately capturing the essence of this multifaceted nation.
Despite India's increasing significance in geopolitics and culture, biases, constraints, and misinterpretations frequently cloud the coverage. Recent scandals and exposés have shifted focus onto journalists' motivations rather than shedding light on India itself.
India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, recently remarked: “I get a lot of these noises from the Western press and if they criticize our democracy, it's not because they lack information. “It is because they think they are also political players in our election.”
Blackburn said one challenge was the tendency to view India through a narrow lens, shaped by preconceived notions or 'sensationalised' narratives. “This can lead to oversimplification and distortion of issues, perpetuating stereotypes,” he wrote.
The editorial in question said Indian democracy was “the loser” from the 2024 general elections, due to Prime Minister Modi’s decade at the helm of government.
Democracies run best “when there is a contest of ideas” and “equal treatment of citizens”, The Guardian said in its editorial, adding that these were in “short supply” in Modi’s India.
“The main opposition Congress party found its bank accounts frozen. It can’t be a coincidence that all the leading Indian politicians arrested by enforcement and tax authorities belong to the opposition and none to the ruling party,” it further said.
Blackburn also highlighted how the British daily had relied on Pakistani intelligence to publish an article on India’s alleged overseas assassination programme.
“Choosing to trust Pakistan’s notorious spooks over democratic India is a concerning choice, prompting questions about journalistic integrity and ulterior motives,” he wrote.
The report published in early April was heavily sourced from Pakistani intelligence officials.
This “bias”, Blackburn said, “influences coverage” with Western media outlets focusing on narratives that cater to domestic audience interests or “geopolitical agendas”, resulting in “skewed” portrayals of India in their publications.
Another incident Blackburn brought up was how Amana Begam Ansari, a columnist at ThePrint, left a BBC anchor “visibly perplexed” by her defence of India’s diversity and how it was a safe harbour for minorities.
Blackburn also highlighted the case of Australian journalist Avani Dias, a senior correspondent with ABC News. She said she had been “forced to leave” India, but according to Blackburn, it was later revealed that Dias left voluntarily. He said it was an example of how trust erodes between Indians and foreign correspondents.
“By embracing complexity and diverse voices, Western journalists can contribute to a more nuanced and insightful portrayal of India on the global stage,” Blackburn added.
"A glaring example of the disparity between foreign media and Indian journalism surfaced during a panel discussion on violence in Manipur featured on BBC's Newsnight last year.
Amana Begam Ansari, a journalist for The Print, one of India’s leading news outlets, challenged the portrayal of Muslims and minorities facing genocidal threats.
She emphasized that while communal tensions exist in India, they are often exaggerated by Western media. Ansari stressed the importance of data in dispelling misconceptions, asserting that India has never been safer for minorities.
Amana is a minority herself. Her remarks left Victoria Derbyshire, the program's anchor, visibly perplexed." -- says the piece in 'Daily Express'.
The question looms, why does the Western press tend to exaggerate threats in India? India's allure is undeniable, with its vibrant democracy, cultural richness, and economic dynamism.
However, delving into the complexities of Indian society demands more than surface-level reporting. Western journalists often struggle with navigating cultural nuances, regional disparities, and the vast scale of the country.
Instances such as ABC News Australia’s Avani Dias's claim of being forced to leave India, later revealed to be voluntary, further erode trust between foreign journalists and Indian society. ABC News Australia, and those who leapt to her defence, have been left red-faced as a result.
This also raises pertinent questions about political neutrality. Are S. Jaishankar’s words accurate? Do foreign journalists see themselves as “players” in the Indian political game?
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| Western angle: Bulldozer and Boris !! |
Refer
Daily Express Link
Russia, also a friend of India more due to historical legacy and defence cooperation but not a democracy, says Washington wants to "unbalance the internal political situation in India and complicate the general elections".
The terse remarks came from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who said - "America continues to make 'unfounded accusations' about religious freedoms," and is also being "disrespectful" towards India.
Interesting part of the story is that Moscow itself was charged a few years ago for influencing US Presidential elections.
Now Vladimir Putin is probably trying to give an impression that he has stronger ties with India's Narendra Modi.
ends
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