Amar Guriro’s report covering Bhoja air crash (22 April) in your paper has touched a very sensitive subject while dwelling on journalism ethics. His analysis is realistic and totally reflects the ground realities as to what happens after every accident or air crash. Undoubtedly, such national disaster requires special coverage for the general information of the people, especially the aggrieved families but with greater sense of responsibility. It is true that initial focus after the crash is reaching to the crash site, recovering plane and bodies, assisting victim families and determining what caused the crash. The media immediately turns to who caused the disaster where it should show responsibility. The biggest disappointment is the way some news channels give their airtime to the people who really don’t know what they are talking about. Some reporters say this is not verified, if it is so why it is being aired. Won’t it be advisable to wait? DG CAA in his press conference also highlighted this point to journalists not to jump to conclusions and wait for the inquiry as outside agencies were also involved.
The immediate task is to reach the site of the crash and allow unhindered movement of various government agencies involved in rescue work. But practically it does not happen and different TV channels enter in to race to reach the place of crash to be the first one to cover the event but this adds to the problems of the rescue teams. We should stop playing with the sentiments of the victim families, and instead give them strength and share their loss. Showing parts of bodies, shoes, jewellery items only adds to further miseries. All over the world in such cases crash site is shown with rescue workers and the news is restricted to few occasions instead of running commentary like cricket match.
Normally, three principles govern media coverage of stories. The first is simplification. To reach the largest audience possible, story is boiled down to its simplest and most basic elements, complexity is to be avoided at all costs. Second principle is personalisation. Mention of abstract entities such as organisations and institutions is to be avoided. The third is symbolisation. The stories must be reduced to words, phrases and objects or actions that viewers can identify them.
Each air crash immediately attracts mass media, the public, and the government. The media coverage is immediate and continuous as is media speculating regarding causes of crash. Government teams rush to investigate, offer condolences and promise to find the cause. It is also true that media is not conversant with the working of air lines and CAA and their SOP’s.
It is high time Civil Aviation Authority arranges regular seminars in major cities of Pakistan for the information of all TV channels, especially for those who cover aviation matters. Once it is done we can expect better understanding and greater sense of responsibility while covering such events.
MUKHTAR AHMED
Karachi