Later, 38-year-old Pradeep Jain, who was hand-picked by Rahul Gandhi, also sought Sonia's blessings before taking oath.Another media house described it as an act of "respect"
In a move that is likely to create some controversy, Mr Gadkari touched Baba Ramdev's feet in a sign of respect.
"Our culture is that when there is a sanyasi, we seek his blessings. I touched his feet according to Indian culture, " said the BJP President defending his action.So NDTV thinks Nitin Gadkari touching Baba Ramdevs feet is "controversial" & BJP president had to "defend" himself for the act.
NDTV is running a Coca Cola NDTV campaign. NDTV states the purpose of this campaign as
In keeping with the NDTV philosophy of promoting critical issues, NDTV in partnership with Coca-Cola India, CAF & UN-Habitat launched the SUPPORT MY SCHOOL campaign on the 24th of January, 2011. This is a nationwide attempt to create Awareness on Water and Sanitation, Environment, Healthy Active Living.
The stated purpose of the campaign is Noble indeed but Media Watch is concerned about long term effect of such campaigns of young Children
Harmful effects of carbonated softdrinks is well documented. This is what Wikipedia states
most nutritionists advise that Coca-Cola and other soft drinks can be harmful if consumed excessively, particularly to young children whose soft drink consumption competes with, rather than complements, a balanced diet. Studies have shown that regular soft drink users have a lower intake of calcium, magnesium,ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin A.[78] The drink has also aroused criticism for its use of caffeine, which can cause physical dependence.[79] A link has been shown between long-term regular cola intake and osteoporosis in older women (but not men).[80] This was thought to be due to the presence of phosphoric acid, and the risk was found to be same for caffeinated and noncaffeinated colas, as well as the same for diet and sugared colas.
As part of the campaign, Depicted on the school building itself is a giant poster that identifies Coca-Cola as the sponsor of this campaign.
Does this not constitute advertising of Coca-cola to young children? Is it not responsibility of corporates who run such campaigns to educated the young Kids on harmful effects of such drinks?
It is interesting to note that CSR policy of coca cola states
We have a global Responsible Marketing Policy that covers all our beverages, and we do not market any products directly to children under 12. This means we will not buy advertising directly targeted at audiences that are more than 35% children under 12. Our policy applies to television, radio, and print, and, where data is available, to the Internet and mobile phones.
In 2010, we evolved our global Responsible Marketing Policy and redefined the appropriate audience threshold for children's programming from audiences that are more than 50% children younger than 12 years of age to audiences that are more than 35% children younger than 12. This means we will not buy advertising directly targeted at audiences that are more than 35% children younger than 12. Our policy applies to all of our beverages and the media outlets we use, including television, radio and print and, where data is available, Internet and mobile phones.
NDTV should clarify on whether it has taken precautions to educate young children on harmful effects of consumption of softdrinks such as coca cola?
Also, NDTV should clarify whether this campaign is in compliance with stated CSR policy of Coca Cola?
One has to give it to Media for their relentless pursuit to crucify Modi.
After Supreme Court refrained from passing any order on a petition seeking Narendra Modi's prosecution for the 2002 riot, Gujarat riot cottage industry has lost all legal grounds to vilify Modi. Having lost Legal ground, now they have started a new line of argument which hinges on Moral ground. And often quoted example is congress apology to Sikhs for 1984 riot.
It is important, we understand what did PM Manmohan Singh actually said and what he did not say
The so called apology came during an intervention in a discussion on an Opposition-sponsored motion in Rajya Sabha on the Nanavati Commission's report. Manmohan Singh said on 11 August 2005 (21 years after actual incident).
I have no hesitation in apologizing not only to the Sikh community but the whole Indian nation because what took place in 1984 is the negation of the concept of nationhood and what enshrined in our Constitution. So, I am not standing on any false prestige. On behalf of our Government, on behalf of the entire people of this country, I bow my head in shame that such thing took place.
I can only conclude by saying that all of us should ask forgiveness of those who have suffered in this tragedy.
So lets try to decipher what he actually said. Initially, He says
“I have no hesitation in apologizing”
Is PM Manmohan Singh asking forgiveness on personal capacity or as PM of the country? In any case, he was not the one who led or motivated the Sikh riots. It was then congress PM Rajiv Gandhi who gave moral ground by saying "When a giant tree falls, the earth below shakes" and It was congress top leaders Jagdish Tytler, Dharam Das Shastri, Sajjan Kumar who practically led the riots from front.
So it is Congress leadership and not Manmohan Singh who should have apologized. Nothing in the statement indicates remorse on part of Congress leadership. Actually, if anything actually Manmohan Singh defends congress in later part of the speech. He says
The Report is before us, and one thing it conclusively states is that there is no evidence, whatsoever, against the top leadership of the Congress Party. That lie, which has over the last 21 years been used to poison the minds of the Sikh youth, stands nailed conclusively.
It really takes a stretch of imagination to say Jagdish Tytler & Sajjan Kumar were not among top leadership of congress. As if this is not enough he actually calls Jagdish Tytler one of perpetuators of crime who was named by Nanwati commission - "a valued colleague”
One of my colleagues, a valued colleague, has tendered his resignation.
Then PM continues to say
On behalf of our Government, on behalf of the entire people of this country, I bow my head in shame that such thing took place.
No sane person will justify loss of innocent life. Be it congress or BJP and when such a thing happens we all should hang our head in shame “that such thing took place”
Even in case of Gujarat riot, Then PM Vajpayee tallest leader of BJP himself expressed anguish that ‘such a thing happened’. He had said
On the Gujarat riots, the Prime Minister said he condemned them from day one. However, he had said that the riots could not be seen in isolation from the Godhra train massacre.
"When I saw the relief camps in Ahmedabad , I had not realised the gravity of the manner in which Hindus had been burnt alive in Godhra. I first thought this was just another riot, but I realised just what had sparked it off. I do not justify what happened in Gujarat, (but) what happened in Godhra was wrong. What happened post-Godhra was also wrong,"
Finally PM concludes by saying
I can only conclude by saying that all of us should ask forgiveness of those who have suffered in this tragedy.
No Mr. PM please don’t make common citizens of India who stood shoulder to shoulder with Sikhs brothers partner in congress crime. We were protecting Sikhs when mobs led by congress leaders were hounding them.
Following is text of his actual speech
Manmohan Singhs so called Apology
IE in its article Sangh Parivar stands divided on ‘swadeshi’ endosulfan reports
contrary to the party’s official view that it should be banned — the Swadeshi Jagran Manch has now opposed the countrywide ban on endosulfan.
IE also reports that Swadeshi Jagran Manch wrote that
“In the past, it was observed that lot of foreign funds were being used for imposing ban on manufacturing and use of endosulfan, where the motives are different and against the interests of the Indian farmers,”
Media Watch checked with Sri Gurumurthy co-convenor of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and we were informed that SJM is of the view that Endosulfan should be banned. Following is the letter which was written to PM
IE also quotes recommendation of a committee appointed by Gujarat Government. Media Watch fails to understand how can recommendation of a committee be taken as difference of views within Sangh Parivar? Is IE saying that BJP government should have influenced the committee to give a report which rhymes with BJP’s views?
ToI officially launched Gandhi Gen five from Priyanka - Rehan (7) and Maira (5) during the auspicious occasion of “"canvassing for mamaji" . The new offering from Gandhi family was escorted by an old loyal former pradhan of Chandosi gram sabha Kanhaiya. Even though nation has no doubts about capabilities of any new product from Gandhi Family, ToI quoted Mr. Singh (who also helped Launch Gandhi Gen 4) on their capabilities with an old Awadhi saying,
"Kathi ki bili bhi gungunati hai (even a cat in the house of a katha singer knows how to hum)."
He didnot clarify if it only hums or whether it catches mice also? We guess being Katha Singers cat brings its own benefits.
He also added how Gandhi Gen 5 needs no tutoring
"the two took to meeting people like fish takes to water". . "Gandhi parivar ke bachcho ko bhala kya samjhane ki zaroorat hai (where's the need to train a Gandhi kid),"
Of course, who would disagree. Its all ingrained and preprogrammed into the special genes some may say pedigree. The villagers narrate stories of how one of them used to fly rockets even when he was 10 years old. I am sure it might be an exaggeration but as in case of Katha Singers cat who knows?
Then ToI explains a days in Little Rehans life. How like a consummate politician, he hit it off with elders by bending down and touching their feet….. of course without any prompting(at least visible) and then parting with a crisp one-liner:
"Rahul mama ko zaroor vote dijiye (please vote for Uncle Rahul)."
ToI goes on to explain how Rehan wlaked in Dalit dominated area, stopped by an ailing old man and asked, "How are you uncle?" before repeating the all-important message. The children even walked into huts to meet and chat up veiled women who were reluctant to come out in presence of village seniors.
ToI quoted Mummy Priyanka that they
even provided her with valuable feedback on problems like power cuts facing the constituency
We are not sure if Gandhi Gen 5 asked the million dollar questions “Mummy why do we have power cut even after 60 years of our families glorious rule”
Its a proud day for the nation. The awestruck audience at Amethi watched with their mouths wide open. The Media gathered for witnessing the special occasion has gone hyper with Joy. Its rumored that some of the anchors/ were seen weeping with joy, some even fainted at first sight of Gen 5. There is no truth in usual opposition canard that the degree of fainting/weeping was directly proportional to advertisement revenue from Government of India.
We only hope “Maira” changes her name when traveling to Kerala!! I can only imagine the face of Anthony trying to call the girl by her name………
For the unaware, this entire issue started with former Supreme Court judge Justice Iyer writing a sharply worded letter to Rahul Gandhi on April 9, criticizing him for the policies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. Iyer said that Rahul Gandhi may become a good government later on in his life, but right now he is not a good leader.
“He has nothing to say new to this country. He is not a socialist by conviction. He has no ideology at all. Such a person when he goes in the villages, people out of curiosity to see this man come and see,”
As expected the retort to the letter was quick and swift.
On April 17th, most of Media houses carried news of Rahuls ‘sharply worded’ letter to Justice Iyer. In letter, he allegedly claimed
``like most right thinking Indian people'', he was working quietly on that problem as he had ``absolutely no interest'' in becoming a hero.
What most of Media Houses and Rahuls PR team did not anticipate was angry reaction to the PR spin that “Rahul is working quietly to solve the rot in the system”. ToI article I am working to improve a rotten system: Rahul Gandhi attracted 1928 comments and still counting. Almost all the comments were highly critical of Rahul Gandhi(refer Screenshot). Some of comments were
Is this a joke? Your party and family ruled the country for the past 50 years and you were part of govt in the past 6 years. Did you forget 2G happened under your nose. Hero? You should be in Jail.
I think TOI should take a copy of all these comments posted on this article and send that to Congress Party headquarters. If there is one single sensible person left in the party which has completely forgotten its responsibilities and has become the most immoral, unethical & corrupt party of the country, they should know the opinions of the countrymen about their party, their leaders and their policies. If a little sense of self-esteem still exists in them, they should immediately dissolve their party, vacate the PM chair and withdraw from the Indian politics...
Having failed in plan A, now it seems Media and Rahuls PR team has rolledout Plan B. Most of Media houses are now reporting that “Justice Iyer apologizes to Rahul Gandhi”
ToI in its article Justice Iyer apologizes to Rahul Gandhi writes
Former Supreme Court judge VR Krishna Iyer, who had launched a scathing attack on Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, on Monday sent an apology letter to him.\
Almost identical news was carried by Rediff, Midday etc
All this Hype makes one wonder what was this apology. Following is the text of so called apology
"Forgive me if I have been bitter in my letter to you. I am too old (97) and critical of parties CPM and Congress for governmental delinquencies,"
PErhaps we are missing something., Media Watch even after best efforts cannot even a scent of apology in the above. BUt we can clearly see sarcasm. It is amazing how a sarcastic comment from Justice Iyer is twisted out of context and made to look like an apology!
This reminds us of the of the blackmoney issues in which Media Passed off rebuke by LK Advani to Sonia as Apology
This entry into Media Hall of SHAME is about a shocking half baked and ill-informed report in Indian Express.
Indian Express in its report Kottyam locals bar women from temple seems to be arguing for “Temple rules should be same”!
The reports starts with
Kottayam Local oppose entry of entry of women into mahalakshi Temple. Expressing displeasure over permission granted to women in Maharashtra to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mahalakshmi temple, residents of Kerala's Kottayam town said such the practice is a violation of traditional customs.
Author is at wits end to understand why would a reporter of ANI travel all the way to Kottayam district of kerala to get a reaction on permission granted to women in Maharashtra to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mahalakshmi temple! It seems that the reporter is talking about Sabarimala Temple in Kerala but it is located in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.
Then the reporter asks the view of a person whom they described as “local”. According to the Suresh, the local who surprisingly speaks in Tamil!
'I think women should not be allowed inside the Sabarimala temple. I mean, from age 10 till 50, they should not be allowed. I am not saying that women should be completely prohibited in the temple. The temple has certain rules and regulations. One should follow that,' said Suresh, a local.
Media Watch think the reporter needs a crash course on India as to the best of Authors knowledge local language in Kottayam is Malayalam!
Then ANI interviews “another Local” who also speaks in Tamil
Shockingly, some locals maintained that permitting women to pray inside the shrines would make them 'impure'.
'When women come to the temple, the purity of the temple would be lost. So, to maintain the tradition of the temple, only women are not permitted inside it,' said Nirmal Kumar, a local.
If you watch the video carefully the person is not saying “permitting women to pray inside the shrines would make them 'impure'” he is very clearly indicating that when women during menstruation should not be allowed in temple. It is a well accepted and followed tradiution in Kerala that Women during menstruation donot enter temple or take part in any religious function.
Then Reporter goes on to make an outrageous claim that
several temples in India traditionally Ban or restrict women or lower caste people dalits. For years now several now several activists have been protesting against perceived gender bias practiced in many Hindu separate Hindu establishments across India stressing on urgent need of reforms to make religious sites more inclusive for devotees
It is shocking that a National newspaper like Indian Express would carry a news article with such glaring mistakes (not sure if its intentional)
1. Sabarimala Temple is not in Kottayam but in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.
2. Majority of keralites speak Malayalam. One could have understood local speaking tamil in districts of Palakkad or Tiruvandapuram as it borders TamilNadu. But Kottayam is Kerala Heartland! One would hardly find a local there who can speak Tamil such fluently!
3. In the second interview it seems interviewer has deliberately misreported what interviewee was saying! One could not help reporting it as deliberate mischief!
4. Lastly, One can understand and appreciate Interviewesr zeal to have more “inclusive” temples. Perhaps it would come as a shock to her that there are temples and functions in Kerala where Men are not allowed. One such function is Attukal Pongala. More than three million women gather during this ceremony to offer pongala to Attukal Amma the Hindu goddess making it the largest gathering of women on earth and no men are allowed here!
5. Also, one would have appreciated if Reporter has not generalised by saying “several temples in India traditionally Ban or restrict women or lower caste people Dalits”. It is more of an exception than norm!
This entry to Media Hall of Shame is shameful play with headlines by IE.
The main news on IE Webpage reads (see screenshots)
Any casual reader would be interpret headline as ‘Modi Govt raped women’
However, once you click on the link, the headline reads (see screenshots)
Which is totally different from the headlines in first page of IE Website.
The Mischief becomes more glaring when you read thru what Medha had actually said about rape of tribals. She said
"Some displaced tribal women of SSP had been raped but there was no place where they can get their complaint registered in Gujarat,"
It is very clear that unlike what IE wants its readers to believe, she is not blaming Modi Government of rape. She is just stating a fact that some of displaced women were raped and there were no proper redressal mechanism.
By KEWAL VARMA
Editors can be broadly divided into two categories: those with substantial circulations spread over large areas of the country; and those with regional circulations. The latter, naturally, have smaller circulations, though there are exceptions (the best example being the Ananda Bazar Patrika). However, both kinds of editors have trouble with two sets of people: the Government and the managements. The views of Government and owners are not necessarily the same, but on one point most owners of publications seem to agree: that their editors should not take criticism of Government too far. And they agree on this because most owners are vulnerable: having business interests apart from news papers, they are aware that if Government wants to, it can create significant barriers between them and their profits from other factories.
No one would deny the owner of a newspaper group the right to choose his editors, but at what point does this begin to hurt the fundamental duty of the Press, and how does one prevent an owner from crossing this point? No one, equally, can deny the right of a management to remove an editor but is there any recourse for an editor if he is removed on unethical grounds? The editor’s job may look glamorous, and indeed it has its rewards, but it is also one of the least protected jobs in the publishing industry. (Would it be more honest if all owners simply became the editors of their publications too? These tensions often find their worst expression when an editor has to leave. The best and most enlightened of managements have often behaved atrociously with departing editors. We think that- this subject should be discussed frankly, without prejudice to anyone, with honesty. And for this reason we have decided to name names. We would welcome it if the managements named here would reply: we will publish their rep
lies equally prominently. We would be happy if SUNDAY became a vehicle for a public debate on this important, crucial, issue.
This is a cut and paste from the blog by Dasu Krishnamoorty at sulekha . The original blog can be read here
There is not an area of public life that has not claimed front-page space in the national media for excellence in corruption. Doctors, engineers, judges, sportsmen, legislators, civil servants, lowly employees of the government, industrialists, businessmen, film makers, vice chancellors of universities, everyone of these categories is making its humble and devoted contribution to the corruption industry. We compete successfully with countries in Africa and our own neighbors, according to Transparency International's reports. It is entirely a different matter that there is corruption in this international certification also. But there is one sector of public interest that does not figure in this gallery of greats. That is, the media. In their modesty, they shun publicity.
It seems Anna’s movement for Jan Lok Pal has hit a rough patch. Several secular and liberal sections of the society has started to raise their voice against Annas movement. One of primary reasons often cited by Secular Civil Society is Annas usage of “Non Secular” Symbols.
Harsh Mander in his article Why I didn't go to Jantar Mantar writes
And yet why could I not actively join the demonstration at Jantar Mantar? First, the symbols and allies that the campaign chose disturbed me: the stage was decorated with a picture of Bharat Mata, almost identical to that propagated by the right-wing RSS
It seems that consistent pressure from secular civil society is getting its desired results. According to Deccan Herald, New symbol for Hazare’s movement
Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement will have a new symbol in the future with 'Tiranga' at the centre.
The tricolour will replace the Bharat Mata image that was in the background set-up of the stage erected at Jantar Mantar on which Hazare was lying on a fast-unto-death for the Jan Lokpal Bill.
In view of all the above, Media Watch calls upon Congress Party and PM Singh to constitute a commission consisting of secular civil society to sanitize all the national symbol and ensure that they are secular and has approval of the secular class.
Our sources indicated that civil society is seriously considering to recommend chicken as India's national bird. The senior activists has taken strong exception to India continuing to use"Peacock" as national Symbol. The secular brigade is of the opinion that Peacock is too closely associated with Hindu Religion. Its considered vehicle of Lord Murugan and even Lord Krishna's Crown always has a peacock's feather. Due to this Peacock, donot comply to the strict standards adopted by the civil society on matters pertaining to secularism. Chicken is considered a far "secular" bird considering almost all the religions eat it without reservation. Some pockets of reservation from vegetarian can be ignored as they are too few in Numbers afterall you cannot please all with such decisions. The senior activists are also of the opinion that National Symbols should be a reflection of national psyche and Peacock, the current national bird is considered too aggressive to symbolize India. India's official response to various issue's ranging from the 26/11 to uprising in in Tibet - can best be described as chicken hearted.
Another national symbol which is up for review is Bharath Mata as current picture of Bharath Mata resembles the picture being used by RSS. Our sources indicate that Civil society is of the view that current Bharath Mata should be replaced by the one drawn by M. F Hussain. Civil society intents to kill two birds with one stone, This will further reinforce civil societies support for M F Hussain and it also be a blow to RSS who has always opposed M F Hussains depiction of Bharath Mata. There is also a suggestion to rename Bharath Mata as Indian Mom which is a more neutral language.
It is rumored that even national emblem will be reviewed because it has lotus in it!
Civil Society leaders has taken a strict stand on this issue .They have threatened to launch a indefinite candle light vigil if their demands are not accepted
| Journalist | Media House | Related Politician/Sr. Officer | Relation | Organisation |
| Neha Seth | IBN | Jitin Prasada's (Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas) | Wife | Congress |
| Sonia Singh | NDTV | RPN Singh (first time MP) | Wife | Congress |
| Seema Chisthi | Indian Express | Sitaram Yechury (CPI(M)’s senior member of Politburo and Parliamentary Group Leader) | Wife | CPM |
| Sagarika Ghose | IBN | Bhaskar Ghose, Director General | Daughter | Doordarshan |
| Karan Thapar | ITV | General Pran Nath Thapar COAS during 1962 war | Son | Army |
| Radhika Roy | NDTV | Brinda Karat | Sister | CPM |
| Anuradha Prasad | News24 | Rajeev Shukla | Wife | Congress |
| Anuradha Prasad | News24 | Ravi Shankar Prasad | Sister | BJP |
| Chandan Mitra | Daily Pioneer | - | - | BJP RS MP |
| Shobhana Bhartia | Chairperson and Editorial Director of the Hindustan Times group | - | - | Congress RS MP |
| Vinod Sharma | Hindustan Times | - | - | Member of National Minority Commission |
| Shahid Siddiqui | Nai Duniya | Congress, SFI, SP, RLD http://goo.gl/TAeLX | ||
| H.K. Dua | Editor of the Hindustan Times, Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Express,Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune Publications and Editorial Advisor of The Times of India Good Read: Editorial changes in The Times of India raise disturbing questions. http://goo.gl/0NvPb | RS MP | ||
| Arun Shourie | Indian Express | BJP RS MP |
Please leave a comment if you have more information
PM of India, Worlds largest democracy is expected to lead by example. According to Election Commission of India
India is the largest democracy in the world. The right to vote and more importantly the exercise of franchise by the eligible citizens is at the heart of every democracy. We, the people, through his exercise of our right to vote have the ultimate power to shape the destiny of country by electing our representatives who run the Government and take decisions for the growth, development and benefit of all the citizens.
It is shameful and sad that PM Manmohan Singh failed to exercise his franchise setting a bad precedent. This is not the first time that the prime minister skipped voting in Assam. Singh’s absence in the polling station had first come under media-glare during the polling for the state Assembly elections in 2006, just two years after he had taken over as the prime minister.
Media Watch is amused by congress explanation that PM Manmohan Singh did not vote because he was busy serving country. For busy people like PM Manmohan Singh, we have postal ballots to cast vote under Clause 20 (4) of The Representation of The People Act. This clause has a postal provision for special category people like the President and PM, as in case of officials on poll-duty or security personnel.
According to K Balaji, the returning officer of Kamrup (Metro) district said no application was received from Dr Manmohan Singh seeking postal ballots
“There was no request from the PM within the stipulated time, so there’s no question of his exercising postal ballot,”
Considering the fact that PM Manmohan Singh has not been elected to LokSabha, It is interesting to note how Manmohan Singh ended up reprsenting Assam! Manmohan Singh has been representing Assam in the Upper House since October 1991. Former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia made him his ‘tenant’ and had him registered as a voter overnight to facilitate his nomination. Dr Manmohan Singh has been dutifully paying a nominal rent to Saikia’s widow Hemoprova Saikia for a duplex at Nandan Nagar in Guwahati’s Sarumataria area. Not an Ideal example to quote to younger generation!!
Now back to our original point. All these facts were known to most of people who follow politics closely. But PM not casting vote largely went unnoticed thanks to underreporting my Media! Also, it seems to protect PM from the embarrassment rumors were floated that he voted using postal option
It took BJP Leader and Gujarat CM to bring focus back to this important issue.
And Media Watch is pained the way NDTV is trying to portray this as another political stunt! On the front page they have picture of Narendra Modi with a caption “Spoken like a true politician”. Does NDTV mean to say anyone who raises such issues make them a politician?
Also on the video page, the caption reads
Never a man to miss a political opportunity, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has taken a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not voting in the Assam election.
This is one issue which Media should have takenup forcefully. Media Watch believes that Indian media failed in that front. After failing their own duty, the best the could have done is to support people who are making this an issue but it seems Media is trying to trivialize even that. SHAME!
Media Watch is not surprised at general lack of Media coverage of 4,000-year-old ritual of 'athirathram' is being performed in Kerala. Improper depiction of actual event is even worse! Please take a look at the picture accompanying ‘athirathram’ news published by ToI! Below is the actual picture of the Athirathram
More Photo of Athirathram can be viewed Here
From the looks of it ToI has used morphed picture of Vidya Balan?
Now its seems this is not the first time ToI has done this. Another blogger DIG TV has reported Times of India caught red handed publishing morphed photo of Kareena Kapoor
DGTV Reports as under
On 9th May 2009, TOI had published Kareena Kapoor's Morphed Photo. Look at her face.
Now, have a look at the original photo of Jeniffer Lopez
Today, I tried to search this photo again with the search title "Draped Desires" but could not find it, which means TOI has removed the photo from its archives.
Question to TOI : What was its purpose to stoop down so low ?
Yogesh Sheetal has published letter Mr Pradhan has received from Ruby Dhingra
Media Watch’s take on the letter
1. It is still not clear if this is an official letter from NDTV or a personal letter from Ruby as its not issued on NDTV letter head(Assuming this is actual scanned copy)
2. We are also surprised Ms. Ruby decided to directly communicate instead of communicating thru lawyers which is usual practice in such cases
3. We are are also surprised to realise that Ruby inspite of being assaulted (allegedly) has not yet filed a police complaint yet. Neither there is any indication of her visiting a doctor.
4. Media Watch is glad that NDTV has recognized Yogeshs right to protest.
5. Media Watch is confused what Ms Ruby would like to achieve from this letter. She has not requested any action from IIMC. Neither has she demanded an apology from Yogesh.
6. Lastly, it is important to understand that NDTV has not yet reported this incident as a news.
Media Watch believes that this is a personal letter from Ms Ruby to Mr Pradhan (Professor of Yogesh). The objective of this letter is merely to inform.
Based on above understanding we have now changed our headline
Further to our earlier posting on Barkha Dutt, Group Editor, English News reaction to protest at India Gate
Following is the narration of the events by IIMC student Yogesh Shital who was one of the protestors.
