Chetan Kunte, Blogging Hero
No one creates heroes better and faster than old media. Sometimes, they do it inadvertently. Like in the case of blogger Chetan Kunte (Chyetanya Kunte), who 'dared' to question the work of a mainstream media journalist Barkha Dutt of NDTV news channel.Chetan Kunte was not alone in criticizing the media coverage during the Mumbai Terror Attacks NDTV - the Navy Chief, the NSG, the local panwallah, even those good-for-nothings who live and die by the reporting ethos of India TV, there were few among us who liked the coverage.
But, in the end, it was Chetan who got the Golden Notice, the letter that makes careers, the letter from the lawyers.
This incident once again illustrates Indian Media types have thin hides and a sense of self importance almost as big as that of the assorted religious gurus.
NDTV is a fine news channel but not in the league of the New York Times, which is covered in unflattering terms on blogs such as Gawker.com on weekly if not daily basis.
I haven't heard about the Times suing any blogger so far.
Commenting about the coverage, Miss Dutt said in the Indian Express, "If they hated us so much, why are they watching us?"
Because, we have no choice, boss. If we don't watch NDTV, we have to do with a hyperventilating, loud Rajdeep Sardesai on CNN-IBN or a hyper-opinionated, 'are you talking to me?' Arnab Goswami on Times Now. The only news channel worth watching is NDTV India, in hindi, especially when Ravish Kumar or Vinod Dua are at the helm. Let the news take over, dear.
Chetan was forced to take down his 'offending post' but you can access the Google Cache version here.
Incidentally, it is more than 3 years, after the IIPM scandal, since a major lonely blogger vs. big business story has broken out in the Indian Blogosphere scene.
Note to Miss Dutt: the Online publishing world is bigger than anything you have ever seen so far. Enjoy your days of media hegemony while it lasts.
Why so serious?
Coverage of the issue continues on these fine blogs:
Kunte's withdrawal post.
Patrix's Post.
Sandeep's Post.
Gaurav Sabnis (the man who wrote about the IIPM scandal) Post
Related on Mediavidea
The Greatest Moments in Indian Blogging History
Labels: blogging, citizen journalism, controversey, india
posted by Pramit Singh @ 7:32 PM
9 Comments
