Mohammad Jamil
Media coverage of several terrorist incidents has proved counterproductive, as on one hand it helps masterminds of terrorist attacks to learn about hiding identity of their executers in the future attacks. On the other hand, it exposes law enforcement and intelligence tentacles to the terrorist organization, thus putting their lives in danger. There is a need to develop training curricula and ethical and legal guidelines for the media so that anti-counter terrorism campaign may achieve desired results. Media groups should start training their staff about the ethics of media coverage of terror-related incidents, whereas media organizations should also guide the reporters in this regard. In this extraordinary situation they should not discuss sensitive security matters with so-called defence analysts because the enemy could take cue from such frank and candid discussions and the steps taken by the government.
Nowhere in the world live-coverage is allowed when police or law enforcing agencies conduct an operation against terrorists or gunmen who take people hostage or are on the rampage. In the past, the nation had witnessed such live coverage when law enforcing agencies had conducted an operation against the terrorists holed in Lal Masjid in Islamabad. Some media men and anchorpersons assumed the role of a mediator and talked to the clerics at Lal Masjid, which created problems for the government. At a time when security forces and Law Enforcing Agencies (LEAs) are being targeted by terrorists, they are being subjected to criticism by media and politico-social groups. The government, however, seems determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism, and it is preparing a comprehensive strategy, which is a positive step forward. Anyhow, small incidents like the one experienced on 15th July 2013 in Islamabad (gun-tottering Sikandar) should not have been given prominence.
The incident had kept the entire nation on tenterhooks for five hours, yet it was within the capability of Police to overpower him. But the crowd that stayed near the scene and the media men had played the role of spoilers by obstructing the task of LEAs. They did not allow them do their job and handle a simple case. Though Police had reportedly worked out a strategy to negotiate with the gunman whose two little children and spouse were at risk, it was due to hindrance by media and the people that the Police could not come up with adequate response. In 2016, media once again had failed in demonstrating maturity during live coverage of Karachi Airport operation, despite the advice of the law enforcing agencies that a line must be drawn beyond which media should not be allowed to operate during crisis.
The reason is that lives of the security personnel are at stake, as certain information including movement of the officers in a particular direction, different steps or techniques used by our forces, supervision of operation by a particular tier of command, arrival of higher officials and reports submitted to Army’s high command etc. is unwittingly made available to terrorists through live coverage. Since the operation was to proceed in different phases to eliminate the terrorists, media should have exercised patience, calmness, self-control and forbearance while conducting live coverage of that operation. Unfortunately, media during its coverage of Karachi Airport attack acted in an irresponsible manner, spreading disinformation and reporting was based on speculations and rumors. Such media coverage could jeopardize the entire operation putting precious lives in danger. Therefore, media should not disclose names, the vital locations, weapons used and tactics adopted.
