Media neutrality and Vietnamese war

When I was 10 in 1971, my father who was an avid reader and always abreast of current affairs , brought a book home on Ho Chi Minh. Obviously I, at that age, had nothing to do with the book except appreciating the cover which had picture of the gentleman leader of the Vietnamese War.

My father, at the dinner times used to tell us stories from his past and also about the current happenings in the world which we used to hugely like. That used to be fair dinner pastime for us siblings those days.

In this context , I recall one account he narrated about Vietnamese war and about journalists covering it on ground.

Referring to a photo published in those days in our morning newspaper which he was showing us, he made a mention of American journalists who were taking photographs during the war covering the bombings and also some atrocities committed by some of the US forces as also the harsh conditions US soldiers were getting subjected to there. My father explained how newspapers in USA are publishing the excesses being committed by their own men in Vietnam and also taking stance on futility of that war.

With all that tender mind, which I feel with surprise now, I could ask him how they were reporting against their own country. This perhaps was the distinction at that small age I could make because we were afresh and alive to somewhat and naturally so, jingoistic noises in public and on radio and media everyday due to ongoing tension with Pakistan over Bangladesh during the same period here ie 1970-71. We were even regularly lectured about personal safety and were trained to hide in bunkers and safe places in school and papa had window panes covered with carbon papers because of regular blackouts.

My father was quick to clarify on neutrality of the journalists reporting from Vietnam stating that the those who report on ground for the newspapers were expected and permitted to work and speak independently without being questioned on their allegiance. He even, I remember, told us that the journalists there are allowed to not stand if they want, at time of playing of national anthem of US. This was how neutrally newspapers and journalists used to function those days.

That was the time.

Somehow it stuck to my mind for rest of my life whenever I thought of the journalists and their conduct. That, they should have nonpartisan views and should even be nation neutral. Then only unbiased news without color of their personal opinion would be reported particularly for the global audience. But till recently only. 

Now most journalists at least in India think kowtowing to powers is their duty and their reports must have boundaries drawn by political exigencies of convenience, though they like us to accept it as their version of patriotism. 

That is the time.