I am not an American. Therefore, I don’t claim to understand all the cultural nuances of the American people or the American media. I am also probably not entitled to an opinion because it is only based on partial observation over a short period of time. Still, I am now convinced of one thing, the American media no longer believes in the clichCB) “Give the people what they want.”

I have noticed that the American media goes for overkill compared to many other parts of the world; kind of like pouring salt on a wound that takes ages to heal anyway. Days of watching the two planes flying into the Twin Towers finally made me want to take up sainthood and give up all worldly connections. I couldn’t bear to watch television for days after that with more traumatizing details arriving with each passing hour. But that didn’t mean that I stopped hearing about it. Rumors about the future plans of Osama bin Laden, a so-called incarnation of Satan himself, to bomb the Golden Gate Bridge and Disneyland were hot…on the radio, in the newspapers, and from what my family members in India tell me, even with the guy who delivers milk to them.

I had hoped when 9/11 happened that the adversity of the situation would bring Americans together to give each other the courage to pick up their lives and move on. This chain of thought comes from being a part of a culture that has seen the brutality of terrorism and mafia attacks for more than half a century (read India-Pakistan clashes over the region of Kashmir among other conflicts). I have seen people pick up the pieces of their shattered lives and move on. But the truth as I see it is that paranoia in the American public remained, and continues to remain, high. Everyone withdrew into their shells to nurse their wounds, not wanting to come out and brave the danger faced by the nation. This is because of the media’s portrayal of bin Laden as some invincible demon who was making plans to bomb America back to the Dark Ages.

Someone once told me, “You fear what you don’t understand.” That may be logical, however, that’s also what the media feeds on for their ratings. And who is feeding all this paranoia to the masses? The media.

Therefore, who sacrifices the fundamental purpose of reporting just the facts in favor of reporting sketchy, speculative and often, inaccurate news, even at the time of a national tragedy, just so more people will watch them? The media.

A whole battalion of “specialists” have been paraded through the news since then stating their opinions, often based on the same information that the rest of us have, and giving their $64,000 answers on what’s going to happen next. This problem is particularly tricky because 9/11 is a scenario never faced by anyone before, hence no single “specialist” can have the ideal answer to the perplexing issue that is terrorism.

Consequently, the media should just stick to the facts and leave the deciphering and decision-making to the masses. Isn’t that true objective journalism?

I believe strongly in the nobility of journalism as a profession and the burden of responsibility it carries for society. The power of the media and free press, especially in a democracy like America, is something to be reckoned with because of its ability to change societies and challenge, if not topple, entire governments. It did a great service to the people by reporting major events with the depth that reflected the seriousness and magnitude of any situation. The coverage of 9/11, given its various aspects, is a testament to the media’s commitment to its responsibility as the people’s representatives.

But journalism must learn to keep the overkill and lopsided attitude in check. That’s the only media that can be trusted…especially for someone like me who uses it as a window to look into another culture.