Author: Arun J. Mehta <amehta@socal.rr.com>
Publication:
Date: September 17, 2002
Friends: Following message is from
"IndiaCause.com"
Since our first letter to PBS Wide
Angle' have made substantial corrections to "Soul of India" web site.
1. "Hindu fundamentalist" was replaced
by "Hindu nationalists" all over the page.
2. Statement "Over the last
three months, some 2,000 Muslims have been killed" Was changed to
"Over the last three months, at least 850 Muslims have been killed"
3. Most objectionable and
mischievous statement was removed completely "Meanwhile extremist
Hindu private schools are spreading rapidly across India"
4. Statement "Will the nation be
split -- by a Hindu fundamentalist movement hoping to rise to power
by fanning the winds of religious extremism?" Was changed to "Will
the nation be split by an increasingly powerful Hindu nationalist
movement?"
Wide Angle' episode is the best
example of how this "BIASED WESTERN MEDIA" goes on with its mischievous
reporting about Hindus and Indians without a shred of evidence.
IndiaCause members have done a great
job in letting PBS know that Indians can not be taken for Ride so
easily.
If Mr. Stephen Segaller is serious
about his assurances, PBS/'Wide Angle' will have to amend the documentary
to reflect above changes before they air it on Thursday.
In his reply, Executive Producer,
Stephen Segaller assures us the following:
"I understand your concern that
our program should not tell only one side of the story of recent
inter-communal and inter-religious conflict and violence in Gujarat.
Be assured that I share that objective.
In this film, we will be reporting
mainly on recent events in Godhra and Ahmedabad, and placing them
in a full context. We have no intention of producing a program prejudicial
to Hindus or Muslims.
I can assure you that we take the
reputation of Thirteen and PBS for fair reporting very seriously.
In order to maintain it, we commission our programs from producers
and directors of the highest quality, ensure that they tell their
stories fairly, and put them through a rigorous process of fact-checking.
I hope that you will watch the program
with an open mind and let me know your thoughts after you have seen
it." (The complete letter is available on our home page www.IndiaCause.com)
To logically conclude this campaign:
Please DO watch the program on 19th
at:
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/wideangle/about/film10.html
and DO send your feedback
for Mr Stephen Segaller at following
addresses:
segaller@thirteen.org, viewer@pbs.org,
programming@thirteen.org,
cause@IndiaCause.com
