Talk on "Reporting Conflict Situation" by Col. Anil Bhat

After a brief lull in the activities of Indian Media Centre (IMC) due to the inclement winter weather, the first monthly discussion of 2010 provided an ideal beginning to the year with the hotly debated issue of "Reporting Conflict Situations". Organised on 3rd February at 14A, Ferozeshah Road, the speaker on the occassion was the well renowned strategic analyst and former Indian Army spokesman Col Anil Bhat, VSM.

The proceedings began with the Chairman of the Indian Media Centre, Delhi Chapter, Prof Shivaji Sarkar, briefing the audience about the various activities of the Indian Media Centre and its aims and objectives. This was followed by a formal introduction of Col Anil Bhat by Mr Satyendra Bhradwaj, Secretary, IMC, Delhi Chapter. Mr K G Suresh, the General Secretary of the Delhi chapter of the IMC then requested Col Bhat to address the gathering and present his views on the issue at hand.

Dwelling on his vast experience and also having seen the situation from both the sides, first as an army spokesperson and then as a journalist and strategic analyst, Col Bhat enlightened the gathering with anecdotes and analysis of the prevalent situation where media has become a tool of propaganda and a virtual force multiplier for the armed forces. He explained how quick access and briefing to the media was critical in putting across the right facts to the people.

He cited several examples from his postings in the northeast region of the country and also the diplomatic exercises like the Agra Summit to buttress his point. He said that it is extremely important that in conflict situations, media plays a role which is in the interest of the nation so that the false propaganda generated by the enemies of the nation against the security forces is effectively countered.

Veteran journalist Mr Shyam Khosla, who is also the Director of the Indian Media Centre, concluded the discussion by urging the media-persons and the young media students present to take the conscious call while reporting on the conflict situations where there are lot of gray areas with the sole aim of both sides at war being winning it at any cost. The interest of the nation is paramount and should be the only criteria of whether something happening in the conflict zone has to be reported or not.

Mr Dharam Veer, the treasurer of the IMC, presented a copy of the Media Critique to Col. Bhat and Mr Joseph Gathia, the vice president of the Delhi Chapter of IMC presented a memento to him. The talks ended with a vote of thanks by Mr. Anubhav Srivastava, a dedicated member of the IMC, Delhi Chapter.

At the beginning of the programme, Light refreshments were served to the guests and the participants which included both journalists and also students from prominent media institutes in Delhi like the Indian Institute of Mass Communication and Pioneer Media School.