What role do Indian and Pakistani media play in the idea of a united South Asia?
The media can either bring the states to conflict, or it can create space for reconciliation. The footage you take, the way you sequence the events, the way you ‘balance’ and treat your story, the way you conduct your so-called debates and select participants, all this colours your story. You can choose what colour it will have. The event is the same, but media in two different countries report it differently. In times of conflict, this becomes important. The media should not take sides with nation-states. There should be guidelines about how not to report in a conflict situation. Ideally, how should Indian and Pakistani media have covered Mumbai? Editorially, the media should have taken the position that both countries should join against the common enemy. But the media became an instrument in the hands of the terrorists who must be laughing at us. Both countries should be cooperating at all levels, even at the level of the media. We have been fighting for media freedom, but now I fee
