Sensational media reports hurting India's interests: Krishna Gopal

The RSS leader also slammed the media for "sensationalising" alleged attacks on churches

The Rashtriya Swayam-sevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary and Sangh pointsman to the Bharatiya Janata Party, Krishna Gopal, on Saturday asked the media to refrain from resorting to sensationalism while reporting on issues of national interest and security. Gopal came down heavily on media for “excessive and insensitive coverage” of the recent Nepal earthquake and rescue operations. “Despite having done good work by the Indian administration, competitive and insensitive minute-to-minute coverage has caused resentment among the Nepalese people. It has hurt their sentiments and national pride,” he added. He also critised the media for “sensationalising” alleged attacks on churches in India.  

“During the same period (when these alleged attacks took place), more than 400 temples and a few mosques were targeted by anti-social elements. Incidents of theft and minor cases keep happening; they are not directed against a particular community.

But projecting them as a targeted attack on a minority community sends a negative message outside the country,” he added.  

The issue was raised in the US Congress also. If there is a genuine attack, then it should be highlighted. But give the complete picture. Some people might have an axe to grind and want to tarnish the image of the government and India,” he said.

Gopal also talked about the coverage of atrocities against women by the Indian media. “The media created an impression globally that India is unsafe for women and all Indian males are rapists. If you consider the number of rapes in proportion to the population, India’s situation is much better than that of developed countries.”

Gopal also talked about the uninterrupted television coverage of Mumbai terror attacks. “The coverage helped terrorists to plan their further moves,” he added.