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Military reporting in Lehmans language can be understood as that beat of journalism, be it

electronic media reporting or print media, wherein the domestic or the international media

covers those events on the domestic or international frontier that cease to effect a countrys

defence, its military, the governments and the citizens , whether in a positive or negative way.

According to Judy Silverstein Gray , each military service has its own public affairs

specialists or journalists. Professionally trained, they are skilled in media relations,

photojournalism and writing. They are the conduit to stories, subject matter experts and can

help you flush out a story idea. Taking time to cultivate a relationship with them could

mean getting to the guts of the stories no one else has thought to write. Military coverage

isnt hard its just harder to penetrate the surface. Like good narrative journalism, the

stories arent always obvious; theyre lurking a bit beneath the surface.

While in the field of military reporting, the just should Know the law before covering any

story. Learn how the military justice system works. In addition to cultivating relationships

with the public affairs officers, when you first arrive on the beat it is a good idea to ask for a

meeting with those running the military justice system on base. Always be prepared to object.

Stay in contact, cultivate relationships with civilian military attorneys because they are more

likely to tip you off. Have reference materials. Play all sides. If the government denies you

access, Crawley suggests talking to the defence attorney. And most importantly be persistent.

A few examples of military reporting in India may be Bharkha Dutt whose reporting of the

Kargil War got her both accolades and criticism at the same time. Her reporting of the Kargil

conflict in 1999, including an interview with Captain Vikram Batra, brought her to

prominence in India.

Brijesh Pandey of Tehelka wrote a hard hitting piece on the war games that

threaten our defence establishment. Word by word he l ets the entire story unfold

that makes you realise the forgotten importance of military in some articles and

in the others about its authoritarian power in a few states.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikram_Batrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikram_Batrahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_Warhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kargil_War

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Gen. VK SINGH-ACCUSED OR THE VICTIM?

KITCHENER VERSUS Curzon, Thimayya versus Krishna Menon, Vishnu

Bhagwat versus George Fernandes and now VK Singh versus AK Antony and

Manmohan Singh: in t he past century, these have been the biggest military

commander-political boss battles in Indian history. But the VK Singh versus AK

Antony and Manmohan Singh story seems to be the best from journalistic point

of view and the worst from defence point of view.

This story started when General Singh fought and asked the government to

clarify its position on his year of birth 1950 or 1951 he was the subject of

sympathy. Many believed that he was indeed born in 1951 but that army recordshad deliberately not been corrected by some of his predecessors to ensure he

retired in May 2012 and not a year later. This was done, it was said, to ensure a

certain line of succession to the top job in the Indian Army.

The culprits thought that the matter would be over once he would retire this year,

bu t what fol lowed jolted the Indi an democrac y from its roo t.

In sheer frustration as it appears ,on March 26, Singh told The Hindu newspaper

that a retired three-star general had come to his office and offered him a Rs 14

crore bribe to clear further purchase of Tatra trucks. Singh said he wasflabbergasted and found it hard to comprehend what was happening, eventually

asking his visitor to get out of his office. Singh then told Antony about the

incident, something Antony admitted in Parliament where he identified the

alleged bribe giver as Tejinder Singh.

What followed this was a series of the most unexpected comments and incidents, making the

military versus government relationship hit rock bottom.

To turn the matter into a blame game , Singhs to the prime minister arguing that the

army was severely incapacitated and not in position to defend the country should

there be a war. This t op-secret letter then made it to the press, only intensifying

the conflict between the general and the government that appointed him. If it is

established the general leaked the letter, his sacking is inevitable. If the prime

ministers office leaked the letter to discredit the general some of the points

he makes in the letter are grossly exaggerated.

A small issue of age showed the world the ugly fight of the military and the

government.

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Firstly, Singhs disclosure on the 2010 bribe is shocking. But whatdefies

explaination is why ke kept quiet for for 2 years! his attempt to get back and

knife the system does not give him justice.

Both the parties are guilty of inaction. Instead of raising this issue at the fag end

of his career , Singh should have done it when the bribe was offered.As or AK

Antony he is just picking up on the technicalities that Singh did not give his

complaint in writing.

It is a matter of shher negligence on the part of AK Antony who dispit e knowing

the fact didnt take action even when Singh decided not to take the case further.

It is not a simple matter like a police station complain where the victim

withdraws his case but a matter of national security that was turned a blind eye

to.

For the first time in his history, an arms lobb yist has walked up to the chief andoffered him a bribe. Whats worse is that t he same set of people feel that they

have such backing that they can hold the chief to ransom and the

government has backed out.

What is most tragic is that after a long time we had an army chief of

impeccable integrity and a defence minister nicknamed the Saint for probity in

publ ic li fe. It is indeed ve ry sad that the ch ief wi ll be fo re ver re membered as a

man who fought just for his own honour and thought nothing of the institution

that made him what he is and not as a soldier of the Indian Army.

Those who love India and cherish its army will nod vigorously and shed a tear

in pain.