Mr Shafi is very right that despite extensive reporting, people are still confused about the facts of the tragedy
ISLAMABAD: This is apropos Kamran Shafi’s article, “Unhappy New Year”, (published on January 2, 2015). The writer talks about conflicting reports given by the media regarding the tragedy at the Army Public School, Peshawar. Unfortunately, these conflicting or rather contradictory reports have been noticed to have been reported by the media more so the TV channels. One is sometimes simply puzzled as to what the different reporters are stating in their ‘breaking news’.
The reporters, in their eagerness to be the first with the news, hastily put out reports without actually verifying the facts of the case. It has also been noticed that sometimes reporters make statements by just getting information on phone from somebody without actually being on the scene of the incident. He or she, however, insists that he or she is present at the place. The nature of the incident or the whereabouts of the place that is being narrated by the reporter, in such a case, ends up sounding baffling to the listeners if one is familiar with the site.
Mr Shafi is very right that despite extensive reporting, people are still confused about the facts of the tragedy. Reporting is a noble profession and reporters must be sure of the facts of their statements and must not convey incorrect information to the people.
Nisar A Kayani
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2015.
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