Umesh, I did NOT say it was anybody's fault (including the media). The media exists to sell news - that they think is news worthy, and bad news and sensationalism sells well.
In Assam has it stopped --has ULFA stopped, has illegal >immigration
stopped from Bangladesh? NO!! While insurgency is a problem, everything else cannot stop and my comments were suggestions to overcome hurdles and turn things around - as far as tourism, trade/investments etc. Even in places like Iraq and Afganisthan, they have been able to attract investment. Movie theatres in Kabul - opened by Indians. So, what does that tell us? One lesson is that if there is money to be made, investors will weigh the risks associated. If it is possible that they still can do business, they will do so. And both Iraq & Afganisthan are extreme examples and when compared to Assam, Assam is an advanced, thriving economy. My point is, we can use that same media in also help in portraying Assam in a very positive light, and I think the media will go for it - specially if the effort is unified and professional. --Ram da On 5/10/07, umesh sharma <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Ram-da, If it is all media's fault then why is Punjab portrayed a s peace haven even afetr 10,000 or more died in terrorist hits in 1980s and 1990s. The head of Punjab Kesari newspaper was shot down -even then no bad blood. Thats because today in Punjab there is no terrorism exists today. Just in Jan 2007 65 innocent people were killed by ULFA - so is it all media's fault --who provides the fodder? Despite 3,000 dead in USA in Sep 11 , 2001 -- is anyone stopping to come to US - no!! becos it has stopped for all pravtical purposes, thats why. In Assam has it stopped --has ULFA stopped, has illegal immigration stopped from Bangladesh? NO!! Umesh *Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote: Thanks, A good friend of mine is contemplating retiring in Costa Rica. Everything was working fine (planning) - then he came across some news about some roving gangs that prey on American gringos for a living. Now he is giving it a good, hard second look. Brazil - is still fighting its image of street urchins preying on foreign visitors. Regarding Assam/NE, I was thinking about someone/group launching a "Project Assam/NE" which will project and expose Assam/NE in the best light possible - with a well-thought, professional, sort of media blitzkrieg. --Ram On 5/10/07, Dilip/Dil Deka <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Good positive approach,. Ramgopal. > > I lived in some parts of the world on assignment where I wouldn't have > even paid a visit if I believed everything in the newspapers and media. I'd > go back to some of these places even today, after so many years. > Yes, unfortunately the media can make or break. > > Dilip Deka > ============================================================ > > *Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>* wrote: > > Dear Sandeep, > > To a great extent the media has always thrived on sensationalism. At > least, this is often the case in the US - as you hinted, bad news is good > news for the media. > > I brought up the case of Assam/NE - because on the one hand > there is bad news: extortions, Assam bandhs,insurgents, kidnappings, > killings, corruption and on the other, we have the media also reporting > these. > > So, is the media at fault here? or is the media showing Assam/NE in 'bad > light' just for the heck of it (among the national media). > > This constant negative reporting by the media, in general, has had a > profound affect on investments, tourism, and a lousy impression of people in > general of the NE. > > Recently, I had to go the extra length of explaining to an > American Professor here in Texas, that it was 'safe' to visit Guwahati. He > was worried (to say the least) about the problems there. After he came back, > he was all praises - and only complained about the fine dust (of > construction before the Natl. games). There was at least one other person, > who declined very subtly, and in passing did mention the 'poilitical > problems' in NE, India. > > Having said this, I think, there is a problem, but it can be MANAGED. > > There could be a sustained effort, if this problem of perception is > recognized, and turn things around in the media, at least (Umesh did mention > it). > > While doom & gloom will always be there, it might do us well, if *there > was a group just to bring out the best in Assam/NE* and project this to > the media. > This group could write articles/forward to national newspapers & > magazines on certain topics ( as an example) - > Muga & Stillwell (Dr. DeGregori wrote this for the AT) > On Assamese weddings, on Bihu (was glad to see Manoj Das & Fmly in a > Natl. paper). > On tourism in the NE > On river rafting, tea gardens, bamboo cultivation, Assamese food > preparations (in cooking shows), etc, etc. > Successes/efforts of Assamese NGOs (Parijat Academy, Pranjalaya, Smt.Suchibrata > Roychoudhury on her various efforts), > and of course, Assam Institute of Management and what they have been > doing > > Assamese representatives/student bodies in places like B'lore & Delhi > could request & urge local TV stations and other media to carry such > specials on Assam/NE > > And I think, group efforts like this take place, a few years from now, > people might look at the NE with a different outlook. > > Take care, > Ram da > > > On 5/10/07, SANDIP DUTTA <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Dear Ram Da, > > > > Unfortunately these days newspapers thrive more on bad news. And you > > must admit that the NE does contribute more than its fair share of bad news. > > The only difference is that a few years back the national dailies were not > > taking notice...but now they report it big time. Competing with NE for doom > > and gloom are ofcourse states like Bihar, UP and Chattisgarh. > > > > To some, it may seem like bias when the good news is missing most of > > the time. Guess its a matter of opinion in the end. > > > > Rgds, > > SD > > > > > > > > > > ----- Original Message ---- > > From: Ram Sarangapani < [EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > To: Assamnet <[email protected]> > > Sent: Tuesday, May 8, 2007 2:38:45 AM > > Subject: [Assam] Media bias? > > > > Is there a media bias toward Assam? Netters have often voiced their > > opinion - one way or the another. While the Sentinel and the AT are NOT > > considered to be fair by some, what about the other newspapers and radio/TV > > in Assam and what about media countrywide and as well as internationally? > > > > Would like hear what netters feel. > > > > --Ram > > _______________________________________________ > > assam mailing list > > [email protected] > > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > > > > > > > > ------------------------------ > > Ahhh...imagining that irresistible "new car" smell? > > Check out new cars at Yahoo! Autos.<http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=48245/*http://autos.yahoo.com/new_cars.html;_ylc=X3oDMTE1YW1jcXJ2BF9TAzk3MTA3MDc2BHNlYwNtYWlsdGFncwRzbGsDbmV3LWNhcnM-> > > > > _______________________________________________ > assam mailing list > [email protected] > http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org > > > _______________________________________________ assam mailing list [email protected] http://assamnet.org/mailman/listinfo/assam_assamnet.org Umesh Sharma Washington D.C. 1-202-215-4328 [Cell] Ed.M. - International Education Policy Harvard Graduate School of Education, Harvard University, Class of 2005 http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/ ------------------------------ Yahoo! Answers - Got a question? Someone out there knows the answer. Try it now<http://uk.answers.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTEydmViNG02BF9TAzIxMTQ3MTcxOTAEc2VjA21haWwEc2xrA3RhZ2xpbmU>.
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