On February 15, Major Devender Pal Singh wrote a Facebook post in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack. The February 14 attack had claimed the lives of more than 40 CRPF personnel. In his post, the Major addressed the media sensationalism that followed.

“We stand by you, we stand by martyrs and their families. We must avenge the dastardly act. And after few days it’s back to business,” his post stated. The Kargil War veteran pointed out that political parties, media houses and the public do not understand the cost of war. Major Singh wrote about his interaction with Zee News anchor Aditi Tyagi during a show where he was a panellist. “Today morning, I was on Zee News and the respect they carry towards solider came out,” the Facebook post read. In the post, the Major quoted Tyagi as saying, “Perhaps you have not seen the pics of Pulwama that is why you do not agree that only solution is revenge, badla.”

The Major wrote: “I have grown above these things and it was not a shock for me that a lady who is howling, we are with you, doesn’t know that I am a wounded of a war [that] happened only few years back. For that matter, while she introduced me, she was not even aware I hold a rank [of a] Major.” He added: “Before you shout out revenge, please ask other families, parents, wives and kids, are they ready to see themselves without their hero soldier? Unless the next generation is positively motivated we won’t see any change and it will be a loop. Attack, avenge, their revenge, our avenge and on and on.”

The major succinctly explained the current state of TV news: “Many gullible (in order to not to lose opportunity to come on air again) keep just shouting and agreeing to nonsense.” 

You can read the entire post here.

Newslaundry spoke to Singh about media’s role in covering the security forces and the caution that needs to be exercised.

What should the media’s role be in the aftermath of an attack such as the one that took place on February 14?

Any responsible media house should bring out the reality to the public without adding any mirch masala. This needs to be done without misusing the public’s emotions. Sometimes the media goes overboard. Its role is to report what has happened and put things in perspective. They are to present other related aspects to help people move forward. But if they do not give the facts, if they add mirch masala to it, then it is not helping anyone.

As a war veteran, what do you think of the media’s coverage of security forces?

Sometimes, I find the media’s coverage of security forces to be very childish. Perhaps, they are under pressure to meet certain targets, reach a certain audience, and generate TRP. Here it becomes very important to have personal ethics. It is important to understand that when you are reporting about defence, about internal security of the country, the forces itself, you are not just telecasting it to the public, but it could very well be reaching the perpetrators of extreme activities. It is important that media houses exercise prudence in such scenarios. They need to keep the nation paramount. They should not go overboard to score brownie points and TRP because, in that selfish attempt, they may end up making everyone vulnerable.

What caution would you suggest journalists exercise when covering such issues?

Use your prudence and when in doubt walk up to the defence spokesperson and ask. Defence spokesperson’s role is to be the link between the civil media and the security forces. If you are unsure about a piece of news, please ask the defence spokesperson for clarification, ask whether a certain piece of information can be released.

Sometimes it is better to stay reserved and cautious, rather than go overboard. In covering defence, you have to use your judiciousness while keeping the nation paramount. At times, there is no harm in ignoring one odd inflammatory news when the whole nation is in need of unity. Personal interests of scoring brownie points shouldn’t trump national security.

Has media’s coverage changed from the time you were serving?

Media has matured over time, however, the youngsters who are entering the field now make mistakes. They have this new power in their hands but are also under pressure of delivering and meeting deadlines, running against time. You forget that this power can end up harming internal peace and soldiers protecting the nation.