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1/n
In the search for truth, being first is not a virtue – being accurate is
The search for truth in #Kashmir should be no different
Sadly it is
Thread based on meeting with several experts yesterday
In the search for truth, being first is not a virtue – being accurate is
The search for truth in #Kashmir should be no different
Sadly it is
Thread based on meeting with several experts yesterday
2/n
There is neither any single truth nor any single narrative binding #Kashmir together – that’s natural in a democracy
But to take one fact or one narrative, transpose it blindly onto the entire Valley and inflict it on readers is bad reporting of India's democracy, diversity
There is neither any single truth nor any single narrative binding #Kashmir together – that’s natural in a democracy
But to take one fact or one narrative, transpose it blindly onto the entire Valley and inflict it on readers is bad reporting of India's democracy, diversity
3/n
There are infinite views on #Kashmir that can be broadly classified into ‘For Article 370’ and ‘Against Article 370’, with few attempts at exploring nuances
The nuances are anecdotal – they are not inaccurate but not the whole truth either
There are infinite views on #Kashmir that can be broadly classified into ‘For Article 370’ and ‘Against Article 370’, with few attempts at exploring nuances
The nuances are anecdotal – they are not inaccurate but not the whole truth either
4/n
Analyses on #Kashmir are coloured by politics on one side and limitations of thought on the other
What you write about Kashmir from Kashmir depends on how you think about Kashmir from Delhi – the Kashmir you carry from Delhi often smothers the Kashmir you see in Kashmir
Analyses on #Kashmir are coloured by politics on one side and limitations of thought on the other
What you write about Kashmir from Kashmir depends on how you think about Kashmir from Delhi – the Kashmir you carry from Delhi often smothers the Kashmir you see in Kashmir
5/n
Local facts in #Kashmir are often narratives masquerading as information
Chameleon-like, they change according to audiences
Knowing the language helps capture this spin of narratives from local affected parties, more so if the people don’t know that you know the language
Local facts in #Kashmir are often narratives masquerading as information
Chameleon-like, they change according to audiences
Knowing the language helps capture this spin of narratives from local affected parties, more so if the people don’t know that you know the language
6/n
On-ground facts from #Kashmir being reported by both national and international media mostly lean on local stringers
Stringers are humans and carry their own biases
These are neither questioned nor factored in the reports on Kashmir
Thus a ‘stringer bias’ creeps into reports
On-ground facts from #Kashmir being reported by both national and international media mostly lean on local stringers
Stringers are humans and carry their own biases
These are neither questioned nor factored in the reports on Kashmir
Thus a ‘stringer bias’ creeps into reports
7/n
The race to be first with the story is pushing editors to give up on basic questioning on #Kashmir reports
They are allowing the Delhi bias (for-against Article 370) as well as the ‘stringer bias’ to play out in reports
The race to be first with the story is pushing editors to give up on basic questioning on #Kashmir reports
They are allowing the Delhi bias (for-against Article 370) as well as the ‘stringer bias’ to play out in reports
8/n
Going forward:
Each national newspaper should send two reporters to Kashmir for three months each
They should live with Kashmiris, as Kashmiris – walk, laugh, cry, eat, work with Kashmiris
Then send dispatches
Helicopter reporting won’t work (it is clouded by ‘stringer bias’)
Going forward:
Each national newspaper should send two reporters to Kashmir for three months each
They should live with Kashmiris, as Kashmiris – walk, laugh, cry, eat, work with Kashmiris
Then send dispatches
Helicopter reporting won’t work (it is clouded by ‘stringer bias’)
n/n
There is a responsibility and accountability that comes with freedom and independence
The Indian media cannot and should not let go of that obligation
Readers deserve better
So does #Kashmir
There is a responsibility and accountability that comes with freedom and independence
The Indian media cannot and should not let go of that obligation
Readers deserve better
So does #Kashmir
