[Reader-list] Fwd: Fw: Complaint against DNA's coverage of recent rape case in Mumbai

[Kshmendra Kaul]

The following comment posted by me has been uploaded by DNA on it's website
 
""""" The title used by DNA, 'Why was she with six men that night?' is disgusting. A disgusting act by DNA.

It is not attributed as a quote to Soni's lawyer. It is also not suggested that such a question was implied in the statement made by Soni's lawyer (eg: rape suspect's lawyer questions why the victim was with six men).

The title, therefore, presents itself as a question being asked by DNA (Divyesh Singh & Menaka Rao). Shame on all of you for such disgusting insensitivity.""""""
 
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249292
 
 
K

--- On Thu, 4/23/09, Shilpa Phadke <phadkeshilpa at gmail.com> wrote:

From: Shilpa Phadke <phadkeshilpa at gmail.com>
Subject: [Reader-list] Fwd: Fw: Complaint against DNA's coverage of recent rape case in Mumbai
To: "reader-list at sarai.net" <reader-list at sarai.net>, iradcrea at yahoogroups.com, vikalp at yahoogroups.com, "Birth India" <india.birth at gmail.com>
Date: Thursday, April 23, 2009, 1:44 PM

Please see Bishakha's email below and do write to DNA at the email address:
inbox at dnaindia.net
The more letters they get the more likely that they will actually pay
attention!
Shilpa




---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Bishakha Datta
Date: 2009/4/23
Subject: Fw: Complaint against DNA's coverage of recent rape case in Mumbai
To:


 After seeing this on the DNA website, I have sent the letter below to DNA -
got the correct address for letters from a reporter there. If you too would
like to write to them, the address is: inbox at dnaindia.net. My letter below.
Bishakha

 Is it right to blame rape victims for the attacks?

Wednesday, April 22, 2009 21:46 IST



The age-old debate has been sparked again by the alleged gang rape of a
23-year-old American woman studying at the Tata Institute of Social
Sciences, Mumbai.

You may also want to see

*TISS gangrape case: Soni sent in police custody till May
3<http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249823>

*Why was she with six men that
night?<http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249292>

*TISS rape: Cops comb country for 6th
suspect<http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249061>

*Two more held in TISS gangrape
case<http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1248478>

Some people have suggested that the woman invited the crime with her
'loose'
behaviour (read: staying out late at night and drinking with a group of men
who were supposedly friends of a friend). Questions have also been raised
about why she did not lodge a complaint immediately on leaving the house
where she claims the crime took place, and why she agreed to take an
emergency contraceptive pill afterwards.



Irrespective of the legal merits of the case, where do you stand in this
debate? Do you think the victim also bears some responsibility for the
crime? Is rape the price to be paid for trust or naivete, or plain
stupidity? What about a woman's right to say no?

----- Original Message ----- *From:* Bishakha
Datta<bishakhadatta at gmail.com>
*To:* inbox at dnaindia.net
*Sent:* Thursday, April 23, 2009 1:17 PM
*Subject:* Complaint against DNA's coverage of recent rape case in Mumbai

 Dear Sir,



Is DNA trying to ensure that the American woman from TISS who was raped does
NOT get justice?



I want to draw your attention to two reports about the TISS case on
www.dnaindia.com today:
1) Why was she with six men that night?

Divyesh Singh & Menaka Rao dated Wed 21 April 2009

at http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249292


2) ‘Is it right to blame rape victims for the attacks?’ as a topic of
‘debate’ for the ‘Speak Up’ column at
http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?newsid=1249873



*No 1) Why was she with sex men that night?*

is a clear case of biased one-sided reporting. It is based solely on the
statements and anticipatory bail application of Vinamra Soni and on an
interview with his lawyer. The main aim of all these comments is to cast
doubt and aspersions on the woman’s testimony and secure bail for Soni. Why
is DNA playing into or taking sides on this? This is not fair, balanced or
ethical reporting.



*No 2)** **‘Is it right to blame rape victims for the attacks?’* is not an
appropriate debate topic.

Rape is coerced sex; a crime. Only perpetrators can be held responsible for
the crimes they commit - not victims.



How is it that victims of any other crime are never blamed, but that rape
victims are always suspected of triggering rape? People who are robbed
murdered or otherwise assaulted are never held responsible - nor is robbery
murder or assault considered 'the price to be paid for trust or naivete or
plain stupidity.'



One can debate opinion; one cannot debate fact. Rape is, in fact, a crime.
Period. There are no two opinions around this.



Debate topics like this – combined with coverage titled ‘Why was she with
six men that night?’ bias public and judicial opinion. They are speculative,
sensational and biased. Coverage like this will make it impossible for the
American student from TISS to fight for justice on a level playing field.



Please withdraw this as a ‘Speak Up’ topic of debate with immediate effect
–
and ensure that future coverage of such cases is balanced and ethical.



Bishakha Datta

Executive Director

Point of View

www.pointofview.org
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