TV News channels' viewership surges after Mumbai terror attacks

News channels in India saw an unprecedented surge in ratings during the recent terror attacks. That's according to the latest TAM data.

But the question everyone is asking is whether Indian journalism has delivered beyond expectations in these trying times, or has it turned ugly?

From celebrities to the aam aadmi, Indians are not holding back in their criticism of the media for the coverage of the recent terror attacks in Mumbai. The reportage is being labeled highly sensationalised and ratings-grabbing. The biggest accusation, however, is that the media leaked valuable information regarding the secret operations and the whereabouts of a number of hostages, to the terrorists holed up inside the hotels.

The media, in its defense, says only information released by officials was broadcast.

Former Mumbai police commissioner M N Singh said, ''Many details were given, which might have helped the terrorists. Somebody was telling me that some people staying at the Taj Hotel were led into the Chambers in the Taj for safety reasons and this was somehow given to the media or it came to the knowledge of the media and reported it immediately. That some people have been brought to the safety of the Chambers and many people were killed. The terrorist came to know because they were watching the television. This was told to me by a responsible person so I take it that it was not a false thing. But if this has happened, I would call it very tragic.''

Websites and blogs have sprung up listing what are perceived to be unnecessary dramatics employed by many journalists who covered the attack. 

Juned Sheikh, scholar, University of Washington, remarked, "Not only did they make a spectacle, journalists wanted to play a starring role in the spectacle. And it was really shocking. I mean, senior journalists on some of the best television channels who have been trained in some very good places. When they play such a role, it really is a problem.''

Phil Smith, editor, South Asia, Reuters, said, ''I think the coverage by the local media were at times, a lot of times actually, a bit hysterical. I think that's by virtue of being a new industry here. There are a lot of new channels. A lot of the OB Vans we saw at the Taj were almost brand new. Reporters were quite young and new.''

 Some senior journalists have apologised for instances where reports were put out without proper verification. Editors have also promised to draw up a code of conduct for crisis reporting.

 But whether they did right or wrong, news channels clearly had their audience riveted for 62 hours straight. The spectacle that unfolded on National TV has become the single most viewed telecast of the year.