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Chairman of Maharashtra State Urdu
Academy Khusrheed Siddiqui addressing the seminar on Media and
Muslim issues in Malegaon
(Photo: ummid.com) |
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Malegaon:
Stamping his valedictory seal on the claims by the journalists
associated with top Urdu language national dailies that the
mainstream media is bias and behaving as if there is no any need
for the judicial system, Chairman of Maharashtra State Urdu
Academy Khusrheed Siddiqui on Saturday warned that the trend is
dangerous not for the Muslims alone but for the entire country.
“The very purpose why we are here is to make the government
realise that the way Muslims are being neglected, and portrayed in
negative and insulting manner in the media is harmful not only for the
community but for the country”, Khursheed Siddiqui said in his
presidential address.
Siddiqui was referring to the observations made by the journalists in
a seminar on Media and Muslim issues held at Maulana Abul Kalam
Azad Hall in Malegaon.
Speaking during the seminar the
journalists speaking at length pointed at the danger of the Media
trial and the biased reporting especially after the bomb blasts
and terror attacks.
Stating that the mainstream media
with few exceptions is
behaving as if there is no judicial system left in the country, Shakeel Rasheed, Feature Editor Urdu Times (Mumbai), said, "Its
direct impact is that lawyers are refusing to defend the Muslim
youths framed in terror related cases. Even court judgments appear
influenced by the Media trials."
Blaming the media of bias and
prejudice against the Muslims, Saeed Hameed, noted journalists and the Editor of Rashtriya Sahara till recently, said that the media
is hiding the truth and spreading rumors.
"Instead of reporting truth, the
media is spreading rumors. But, it does not realise that the
people have become more aware. They have the Internet and access
to information from many sources, and are able to distinguish
between facts and propaganda", he said.
Criticizing some of the media
persons who are virtually working as stenos for the police and
investigating agencies, Khaleel Zahid, Editor Akhbar-e-Alam
alleged that Indian Mujahideen does not exist.
"You blame Indian Mujahideen for
blasts. I challenge you to prove the existence of any such
organisation. For how long you will use the inputs from
intelligence agencies to increase your TRP?", he said.
Pointing that the media has become
commercial and is working like a corporate house, Meena Menon,
Mumbai Bureau Chief The Hindu, urged it to re-design its strategy.
"Unfortunately, the trend instead of
diminishing is becoming more and more profound day by day. It
should be stopped immediately. Its the duty of every Indian, not
the Muslims alone", she said.
The worst onslaught on the
mainstream media was however by the local MLA, Mufti Mohammad
Ismael. He said that the mainstream Indian media has been
infiltrated by the RSS men and they are working on a well-planned
strategy to malign the Muslims.
"About 90% of the media houses are
infiltrated by the RSS men and people having a communal mindset.
They are deliberately portraying the Muslims in negative manner
and broadcasting publishing reports that help stereotype the
community", he alleged.
Editor of ummid.com Aleem Faizee,
however, asserted that the Muslim community instead of complaining
about the media bias and depending on others should have an
independent media of their own to counter the prejudice and
stereotypes.
"There is media bias but its a
global phenomenon, and limited not just to Muslims. There has
also been suggestions to have an independent media to counter
them. But, no concerted effort has been made anywhere in the Muslim
world including India to have a powerful media of international
standard", he said.
Echoing similar feelings, Sharique
Naqshabandi, Editor Asia Times Aurangabad, urged the community to
strengthen the existing organs of the community. "If we cannot do
anything, we should at least strengthen the existing newspapers
and the media platforms owned by the community. Once they become
powerful, they can work on other means to fight bias and
prejudice", he said.
Commenting on the claims and
observations made by the Urdu journalists, Anurag Tirpathi, Sr
Journalist Navbharat Times, urged the Muslims to realise the power
they have in their hands and teach the biased media a lesson.
"Its true that the media is behaving
in such a way. But, why don't we ignore them? After all, they
survive because of the viewers and readers. It is we who are
giving them importance and also buying such newspapers. They will
be finished, the day our drawing rooms are cleaned from them", he
said stating that 70% readers of the Hindi Saamna are Muslims.
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