Twitter “Raj”

TWITTER-SPHERE

Part 2 – The Twitter “Raj”

Continued from Part 1 – Twitter Can “Kill” You

TWITTER “RAJ”

A Spoof

By

VIKRAM KARVE

Dear Reader – have you seen the James Bond Movie “Tomorrow Never Dies”…?

“Tomorrow Never Dies” is the 18^th James Bond Film – produced in 1997.

The plot of this movie is centered around a power-hungry “Media Mogul” who tries manipulate and influence events to provoke global war to in order to create “advance” headlines for the launch of his latest news channel.

Yes – this “Media Baron” has become so powerful that he can manipulate/influence events globally. This enables him to write headlines and design front pages in advance of big news events – and then make the events happen – in order to boost the Sales and TRP Ratings of his newspapers and TV Channels.

In effect – this “Media Magnate” has become more powerful than governments.

This movie was produced 22 years ago in 1997 – when Social Media (SM) did not exist – and Mainstream Media (MSM) was all powerful.

Today – Social Media (SM) has dethroned Mainstream Media (MSM).

And – of the various Social Media Platforms/Applications – the most powerful is Twitter.

Twitter is a micro-blogging and social-networking service launched 13 years ago in 2006.

Today – Twitter is the largest source of “Breaking News” and a hotbed of World Politics.

Most Powerful People – Heads of Governments/Nations, Political Leaders, Celebrities, Business Tycoons, Intellectuals, Activists – almost all influential people use Twitter (besides the common man).

Organisations extensively use Twitter too – to communicate and for Customer Service and Public Relations (PR).

The entire world has become dependent on Twitter.

Twitter has become all-powerful – like the “Media Mogul” in the James Bond Movie “Tomorrow Never Dies”.

Political Leaders and Heads of Nations have become totally dependent on Twitter.

Earlier – Heads of Nations would announce important decisions via Media Briefings (Press Conferences).

Today – Twitter has replaced the traditional “Press Conference”.

Political Leaders “Tweet” their decisions and views.

This dependence of world leaders on Twitter has given Twitter immense power over them and made them vulnerable to manipulation by Twitter.

It is the same with all people and organisations who are dependent on Twitter.

In the absence of any alternative microblogging platform – Twitter has total monopoly.

Monopoly creates Hegemony.

Thus – Twitter has become tremendously powerful – a hegemony.

There is saying that “Power Corrupts and Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely”.

Has this syndrome affected Twitter and motivated Twitter to treat its “customers” in a high-handed and arbitrary manner….?

I first realized the arbitrary power of Twitter a few years ago when my first Twitter Account @vikramkarve was hacked.

I observed that a Russian seemed to have hacked my account and was tweeting in Russian language from my Twitter Handle.

My followers noticed these Russian Tweets too and they wondered what was happening.

I took up the issue with Twitter – but nothing happened.

I don’t remember exactly – but to the best of my knowledge – Twitter expressed their inability to restore my account back to me.

I realized that I had lost my Twitter Account and all my followers too.

After a few weeks – as advised by a friend – I opened another Twitter Account with a new Handle @vikramwkarve  

This Twitter Account became popular – and over the years – I gained a lot of followers.

A few days ago – when I opened Twitter in the morning – I saw shocked to see a message on the screen:

“Your account (@vikramwkarve) is currently suspended. For more information, please log into twitter.com”

I logged on to Twitter.

After perusing the Twitter Rules – I was certain that there was no justification for Twitter to suspend my Account – since I had not violated any Twitter Rules.

Also – Twitter gave no reason for suspending my account suddenly – without any prior intimation – in a most unilateral and arbitrary manner.

Isn’t this action by Twitter against the principles of natural justice….?

Interestingly – in the Twitter Rules – there was a disclaimer – maybe to cover up any mistakes on the part of Twitter:

“Unfortunately, sometimes a real person’s account gets suspended by mistake, and in those cases we’ll work with the person to make sure the account is unsuspended”

Well – if my Twitter Account has been suspended by mistake – why hasn’t Twitter restored it so far despite my following the proper procedure/instructions and filing an appeal to unsuspend my account…?

Yes – I have filed an appeal to unsuspend my account 3 days ago.

In reply to my appeal – all I have received is message from Twitter saying that they are working on it and it may take a few days – a very vague statement without any deadline for restoration of my Twitter Account.

(I would also like to emphasize that Twitter has not given any reason as to why they have suspended my Twitter Account – either prior to suspending my account – or in their email acknowledging my request to unsuspend the account).

(I have described the details in Part 1 of this article -> Twitter Can “Kill” You)

Since there is no way to communicate with Twitter – I do not know whether my Twitter Account will be restored or not – or after how many days it will be restored.

Or – will I lose my Twitter Account @vikramwkarve forever – in the same way as I lost my first Twitter Account @vikramkarve a few years ago…?

My Tweets are my Creative Legacy and my Intellectual Property.

Is it fair for Twitter to obliterate my creative work and destroy my intellectual property in a most arbitrary manner…?

By unfairly suspending my Twitter Account – Twitter has hurt me immensely.

Injustice to one individual may seem insignificant in Twittersphere.

Now – just imagine – if Twitter suddenly suspends the Twitter Account of a prominent person or an important organisation – won’t this cause damage to them and put them at an unfair disadvantage vis-à-vis their competitors and rivals…?

Apart from the “overt” brutal step of suspending accounts – there may be other “covert” subtle ways of manipulation (like “Shadow Banning”).

If deployed against politicians/parties – especially at the time of elections – can’t such overt and covert social media “stratagems” have an impact on the political situation – due to the excessive dependence of politicians and political parties on social media platforms, especially Twitter – considering the immense power and extensive reach of the social media…?

On a broader level – is it not possible to manipulate public opinion by using such social media tactics…?

And worse – suppose the Twitter Account of a “VIP” is hacked…?

Just imagine the consequences.

Isn’t it possible that Fake Tweets from Heads of Governments/Nations may result in devastating consequences…?

If twitter accounts of prominent persons or organisations are hacked and fake malicious tweets are sent out from these accounts – will it not ruin reputations, affect relations and influence situations….?  

If you think that hacking Twitter Accounts of “VIPs” is not possible – let me tell you that a few days ago there was news that the Twitter Account of the Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey was hacked.

If the Twitter CEO can’t protect his own Twitter Account – what can one say about the security of other accounts…?

I don’t know if it is true – but someone told me that it is automated “bots” who take important decisions like suspending accounts.

If this is true – it is indeed a scary situation – where control of the Social Media has been handed over to “machines”.

The Moot Question is:

Is there any control on Social Media – especially powerful platforms like Twitter which have tremendous influence…?

Are most governments clueless about how to control the Social Media…?

And – those who have a clue – are they helpless – as they fear that the powerful and influential Social Media can exploit their dependence on the Social Media by overt and covert means…?

Does the judiciary have jurisdiction on Social Media Platforms which are based in Foreign Countries…?

Who has jurisdiction over Social Media, especially Twitter…?

Why are the “powers that be” unable to break the monopoly of the few Social Media Giants who rule the roost – like Twitter – who enjoys total monopoly on microblogging…?

It seems that the only country which has been able to control Social Media is China.  

The majority of Western social media platforms are blocked in China, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube and many others.

Also – in China – there are alternate multiple local Social Media Platforms like WeChat, Weibo etc in lieu of Facebook, Twitter etc.

While one doesn’t advocate extreme steps like banning of Social Media Platforms – why can’t other countries develop alternative Social Media Platforms to have healthy competition and reduce the absolute monopoly and hegemony of Twitter, Facebook etc…?

In India – we have the “Make in India” slogan.

Can’t India use the expertise of its huge pool of talented software professionals to create and develop alternative Social Media Platforms to compete with Twitter, Facebook etc - like China has done…?

Also – does India have a “Regulator” for Social Media (Twitter, Facebook etc) – a Regulator to whom citizens can raise their grievances against Social Media Platforms…?

When one talks of “regulation” – activists raise the bogey of “Freedom of Speech” and “Freedom of Expression”…?

But – what about cases like mine – where Twitter has throttled my Freedom of Expression by arbitrarily suspending my Twitter Account…?

In a democracy – will a citizen’s Freedom of Expression remain at the mercy of the Social Media…?

Dear Reader – as I told you – my Twitter Account @vikramwkarve has been suddenly suspended by Twitter 3 days ago without giving me any reason.

I feel that this has been wrongly done since I have not violated any Twitter Rules – which I have clearly explained in Part 1 of this article.

In my opinion – Twitter has made a mistake by suspending my Twitter Account @vikramwkarve.

Maybe – this mistake has been done by an automated “bot”.

I have appealed to Twitter to correct their mistake and restore my account.

Twitter has acknowledged receipt of my appeal – but nothing has happened so far – though 3 days have elapsed.

They say that “the proof of the pudding is in the eating”.

Just to test whether the government has any power over Twitter – I have raised a grievance to the Ministry of Information Technology (IT) and Information & Broadcasting (I&B) regarding the arbitrary and erroneous suspension of my Twitter Handle @vikramwkarve – which was gone without even intimating me the reason for suspension – which is against the principles of natural justice – especially since I have not violated any Twitter rules.

Let’s see what happens.

If nothing happens – will it indicate that the government has no control on Twitter and the Social Media…?

At the macro-level – has Twitter become a hegemony which no one can control...?

In view of its worldwide reach and unbridled power – which has given Twitter tremendous dominance – has Twitter become a most influential tool for Information Warfare – especially Psychological Operations (PSYOP) for Perception Management...?

(To be continued in Part 3 – Social Media – The Most Powerful Information Warfare Tool…) 

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This story is a fictional spoof, satire, pure fiction, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the stories are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (All Rights Reserved) 

This Blog Post is Part 2 of my series of articles on Twittersphere - continued from Part 1 - my blog post Twitter Can “Kill” You posted in my blog at url: https://karvediat.blogspot.com/2019/09/twitter-can-kill-you.html

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MILITARY

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MILITARY

Will Social Media Improve Transparency and Enhance Quality of Life in the Defence Services?

Ponderings of a Veteran

By

VIKRAM KARVE

SOCIAL MEDIA AND THE MILITARY

Last week, while surfing the internet, I observed that two rather unsavoury incidents pertaining to the army had gone viral on Twitter.

The first incident was a public spat between two Generals regarding seating arrangements in a cinema hall.

The second was a contretemps in AWWA (Army Wives Welfare Association).

Since these embarrassing incidents had gone viral on the social media, the mainstream media was forced to take notice and report these as news items in the electronic and print media, on TV and in newspapers, and thereby these unpleasant issues got wide publicity.

In the past, such issues would have been settled internally within the cocooned environment of military cantonments, and the outside world would never have come to know of these occurrences.

The advent of the social media (especially Twitter and Facebook) has changed everything.

Now, with the increasing proliferation and popularity of the social media, it is not possible to “hush up” matters, and organizations, including the military, have no choice but to be more transparent and engage with the social media.

POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media is a relatively recent phenomenon, but it has proliferated so rapidly and extensively that almost everyone is using social media tools like Facebook, Twitter etc

Owing to its instant and widespread reach, Social Media has overwhelmed the so-called “mainstream media” comprising print and electronic media.

As far as news reporting is concerned, Twitter is most impressive – Twitter is highly effective in disseminating news almost instantaneously.

Owing to Twitter’s instantaneous world-wide reach, the high speed and vast synergy of Twitter, if anyone puts a news item or news link on twitter, it can go viral within seconds by “re-tweeting” and become “trending news”.

Twitter focuses on user collaboration and facilitates sharing of user-generated content by the means of “re-tweeting”.

Twitter users can add their own comments, content, pictures, videos and internet links and thereby add value and credibility by interpretation and analysis.

Twitter has enabled everyone to become a “citizen journalist”.

You can write a news report on your blog and post the link on Twitter, or tweet a news item you have read on the internet with a clickable link, or you can instantaneously tweet a news-picture you have clicked or write a caption or a news item.

Twitter has trending topics, which can define and prioritize news and establish news trends for the Main Stream Media (MSM) to follow.

Today, because of its sheer volume and high-speed throughput of information, Twitter has the power to drive the Main Stream Media.

Owing to its instantaneous speed and tremendous reach, now-a-days the phenomenon of “Breaking News” first explodes on Twitter much before TV News Channels on the electronic media.

Twitter leads, other media follows.

Twitter has also brought about a sense of transparency in news reporting.

Twitter has thwarted attempts by the Mainstream Media (MSM) to suppress, “censor”, ignore, downplay, whitewash, manipulate or misreport news.

In many cases, efforts to present news in a biased, distorted or skewed manner have been exposed owing to the first-hand reporting of news on Twitter by citizens.

Main Stream Media (MSM) cannot afford to ignore Twitter unless it wants to be isolated and lose credibility.

The huge presence of Journalists, Electronic and Print Media Organizations on Twitter bears testimony to the relevance, importance and power of Twitter.

In addition to Twitter, Facebook is also very influential in information proliferation and shaping of public opinion.

CANTONMENT CULTURE

In the past, as far as “peacetime soldiering” was concerned, the military remained cocooned in cantonments.

Maybe, cantonments are a relic of the Raj, where the military was expected to live a colonial social lifestyle in a world of its own, far away from the “natives” with whom the “sahibs” were not supposed to mingle.

This “cantonment culture” was prevalent mostly in the army which lived in its own insulated world of cantonment life totally cut off from the outside world.

In contrast, most of the navy was located in the heart of Mumbai (then called Bombay), and naval officers lived all over South Mumbai along with civilians – in fact, the navy wardroom (officers mess) was located in a building called “Vasant Sagar” in Churchgate off Marine Drive in a posh civilian locality.

That is why, in earlier days, there was a huge difference between the social life and cultures of the navy and army, but, in due course, the navy too started building its own secluded “cantonments” and adopting army style “cantonment culture”.

The military led a secluded cosseted life revolving around the facilities and amenities in the cantonment, and outsiders did not know what was going on inside.

Those days even the media treated the military like a “sacred cow” and did not interfere and nor did journalists try to pry into internal affairs of military cantonments.

If there were any issues, they were sorted out internally, away from the eyes of outside civilian world.

Thus, there was a sense of opaqueness about military matters.

It was not that scandals did not take place in the past, but since it was possible to brush things under the carpet, cover up or “hush up” embarrassing issues internally, the outside world was not aware of the goings on inside the military cantonments.

The advent of the social media (especially Twitter and Facebook) has changed everything.

Incidents in cantonments, which, in earlier times, would have remained internal issues, went viral on the social media which forced the mainstream media to take notice and report them extensively, and thereby these issues got wide publicity.

MILITARY AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Social Media is a present day reality which cannot be ignored by the military.

In fact, it will not be beneficial for the armed forces to ignore the social media, especially Twitter.

In today’s information technology driven world, avoiding the social media may be counterproductive.

Whenever an issue pertaining to the military goes viral on the social media, if the military does not tell its side of the story on the social media, people start believing whatever is being reported on the social media (Twitter, Facebook etc) and the absence of authentic information leads to speculation and rumours.

In such situations, the military must tell its side of the story truthfully and it must do this with promptness and accuracy.

In order to achieve this, military public relations must have an active presence on the social media, especially on Twitter.

Like the MEA PRO is doing, the Defence PRO must be more visible and articulate on the social media (especially Twitter) in order to ensure balance, fairness, credibility and transparency of news, views and issues pertaining to the military.

You will be surprised, but there is a rather “antiquated” school of thought, that believes in antediluvian solutions like “banning” social media in the military.

While there is justification for reasonable restrictions on the use of social media by uniformed personnel, extreme steps like prohibiting use of social media may be highly unpopular, especially amongst youngsters for whom things like Facebook, Twitter, Whatsapp etc have become an inseparable part of their life.

(As it is, the military is facing a shortage of officers and such extreme steps like banning social media may discourage many youngsters from signing up)

Let us assume, hypothetically, that the military decides to prohibit uniformed officers and personnel from using the social media.

But can the military impose such “bans” on wives (and families) of military officers and personnel?

Military wives are civilians and are not subject to the restrictions under the army, navy or air force acts.

I mentioned earlier that Twitter has enabled everyone to become a “citizen journalist”.

Likewise, in the context of cantonments too, social media, especially Twitter, has enabled every military wife to be a “citizen journalist”.

So, suppose an incident or scandal happens in the social life of the cantonment (like the AWWA squabble mentioned above), just one tweet from a wife is enough to make it known to the whole world, and the “news” can even go viral by repeated re-tweeting.

Such is the power of the social media that it is not possible to “hush up” inconvenient matters, or “cover up” scams and scandals (which it was quite easy to do in earlier times).


THE WAY AHEAD

I feel that it will be best for the military to actively engage with the social media and make its presence felt on Twitter and Facebook which will enable effective interactive communication and usher in a sense of transparency.

The Army does have a presence on Twitter ( @adgpi ) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Indianarmy.adgpi) and regularly posts interesting information and pictures about army events and informative tidbits from military history, but it seems to be “one way traffic” – they need to actively engage and interact with servicemen and civilian citizens in order effectively articulate and discuss pertinent various issues, and to build up a social network.

The Navy PRO had opened a Twitter Account ( @INSpokesperson ) last year, but now it seems to be defunct, and so seems the case with the Air Force Twitter Account ( @IAFIndia )

The Defence Services need to use the social media effectively to interact with the tech-savvy youth to exchange recruitment information and discuss various aspects about a career in the army navy and airforce. 

Effective “two way communication” between the defence services and the civilian youth may motivate many bright youngsters to take up a career in the armed forces.

I feel that various support organisations need to use the social media by active presence on Facebook and Twitter to effectively interact with their “Fauji customers” (serving, retired and families):

1. Defence Accounts and Pay Offices ( PCDA, CDA, Naval Pay Office etc )

2. Military Veteran and Ex-Servicemen Welfare Organisations ( ECHS, DESW MoD, DGR, DESA/NHQ etc)

3. Defence Facility Providers like Health Care (DGMS, Military Hospitals), Defence Canteen Services (CSD, INCS etc), Defence Housing Organisations (AWHO, AFNHB), Institutes and Clubs, Holiday Homes etc 

4. Military Social Networks, Forums and Interest Groups (eg Regimental/Branch, Military Hobby and Sports Groups etc)

5. Social and Family Welfare Organisations/NGOs like Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA), Navy Wives Welfare Association (NWWA), Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) to enable barrierless interaction, seamless communication and exchange of views within members of these welfare organisations.

The possibilities are endless.

The social media is easily accessible and available to all free of cost and affords enormous opportunities.

Now it is for the military to use its ingenuity to take full advantage of the social media in an innovative manner for maximum benefit of all stakeholders.

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 
1. If you share this post, please give due credit to the author Vikram Karve
2. Please DO NOT PLAGIARIZE. Please DO NOT Cut/Copy/Paste this post
© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

1. This blog post is a spoof, just for fun and humor, no offence is meant to anyone, so take it with a pinch of salt and have a laugh.

2. These are my personal views, to be taken lightly. 

3. All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. Events, Places, Settings and Incidents narrated in the story are a figment of my imagination. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright Notice:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

IS NAVY LOSING THE MEDIA BATTLE?

IS NAVY LOSING THE MEDIA BATTLE?

Ramblings of a Retired Mind

By

VIKRAM KARVE

There are many sides to a story.

For example, take the recent navy submarine mishap, preceded by a number of accidents/incidents in the navy during the trauma-filled recent past, which culminated in the resignation of the navy chief Admiral DK Joshi on moral grounds.

There are many versions of the submarine mishap story, mostly speculative, doing the rounds of the mainstream media (Print and TV), on the social media (Twitter and Facebook) and on the internet.

But the most important version of the story is missing.

The navy version – the credible version – is not available anywhere.

The main protagonist, the navy, is not interacting with the media, print, electronic or social, and the navy is not telling its side of the story.

All sorts of news reports and conjectures are being bandied about in the media and there is no response from the navy. 

There was a similar situation during the so-called Wife Swapping Scandals in the Navy last year when Navy Public Relations (PR) remained conspicuous by its silence resulting in people believing whatever scuttlebutt was projected by the media.

This “Media Shyness” is not helping the navy’s image.

It is baffling as to why Navy Public Relations Officer (PRO) is reluctant to appear before the media to tell the navy’s side of the story, discuss the navy’s point of view and present the true facts pertaining to the mishap before the public.

Due to the woeful lack of navy public relations effort, people are hearing various speculative and opinionated versions of the story.

In the absence of a credible version from the navy, people have no choice but to start believing the scuttlebutt that is presented to them.

Total silence on the part of the navy is creating a widening information gap.

Such information gaps create a scope for confusion, speculation, rumours and wild “kite flying” by all and sundry which can damage the reputation of the navy.

During this entire hullabaloo, the Navy Public Relations (PR) remains conspicuous by its silence.

Since the Navy does not tell its side of the story, in the absence of authentic information, people start believing whatever is reported in the media which is mostly hearsay, gossip, unfounded information and unconfirmed reports.

Most of the media reports are quite unfavorable to the navy and this is adversely affecting the image of the navy.

Perception matters.

It is high time that Navy PR stops running away from the media and takes positive steps to restore the good reputation of the navy in the eyes of all stakeholders.

As far as the current mishaps are concerned, in order to repair the damage done to the good image of the navy by such controversies, there is an urgent need for Navy PROs to interact with the media, appear on TV and, if necessary, take part in debates and discussions and effectively communicate the authentic facts in a credible manner.

We see only retired officers and “expert commentators” appearing on TV debates giving their opinionated views based on half-baked information.

Many commentators seem highly biased and, at times, they tend to run down and vilify the navy.

But the Navy PRO is conspicuous by his absence and there is no one to rebut the fallacious and disparaging remarks made sometimes by various participants during TV discussions.

The saying “Silence is Golden” does not apply to Public Relations (PR).

In Public Relations – SILENCE IS NOT GOLDEN

The Navy must tell its side of the story truthfully and it must do this with promptness and accuracy.

Navy PR must engage with the media in order to ensure that the media reports such news in a balanced, fair, credible and transparent manner after hearing all sides of the story.

There is an urgent need for Navy PR to be more visible and articulate.

Navy Public Relations Officers (PRO) must appear on TV Channels promptly without delay the moment any news pertaining to the navy is reported and the PRO must give the Navy version of the incident.

This will help the truth to be established and obviate speculation, gossip, scuttlebutt and rumours.

There is a vital need for Navy PR to optimally utilize the Social Media, especially Twitter, which is highly effective in disseminating news almost instantaneously.

Navy PROs must make their presence actively felt on Twitter.

Alertness in monitoring news of interest and prompt response on Twitter is a highly effective public relations strategy.

This will help project the navy point of view effectively.

In today’s technology driven world, it does not pay dividends for an organization to be media-shy.

Being media-shy, and not telling the navy’s version of events, is damaging the reputation and image of the Navy, as people believe other versions which may be sensationalized, exaggerated, unflattering, misleading, or even untrue.

Today, the media is alert and quick to report any news.

There is a rat race in the media to be the first in reporting sensational “Breaking News”.

In addition to the print and electronic media, social media like Twitter and Facebook, owing to instantaneous speed and tremendous reach, has a huge power to affect your reputation in a split second with devastating effect.

In these modern circumstances, whenever there is negative, scandalous or sensational media coverage, orthodox PR strategies like “being in Denial Mode” or “burying your head in the sand like an ostrich” or “mouthing inane platitudes” may be counterproductive and may result in tarnishing reputation of the navy.

As I have said earlier, there is an imperative need for Navy PR to effectively engage the media and be speedy, visible and articulate.

The media has made rapid strides incorporating the latest in information technology, but Navy PR seems to be rooted in the distant past.

In fact, Navy PR seems to have become defunct.

Navy PR must ensure that, in addition to the PRO, senior naval officers are visible in the media and articulate the navy’s point of view.

We hope that the Navy PR rejuvenates itself to achieve Synergistic Public Relations.

Proactive Navy PR will help uphold the good image of the Navy.

Responsive Public Relations are imperative to enhance the image, morale, reputation and prestige of the Navy.

There is an urgent need to improve media management by the navy, and other defence services, army and air force too.

In conclusion, here is quote, maybe apocryphal, made by the late General K Sundarji, a distinguished former Army Chief, at a media seminar at Delhi:

“When commanders fail to respond to the media, the field is left open to the critics of the armed forces, then speculation and misleading stories abound”

VIKRAM KARVE

Copyright © Vikram Karve 

Vikram Karve has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. 

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.

Disclaimer:

All stories in this blog are a work of fiction. The characters do not exist and are purely imaginary. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

NB:

No part of this Blog may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the Blog Author Vikram Karve who holds the copyright.

Copyright © Vikram Karve (all rights reserved)

© vikram karve., all rights reserved.