Letters will make no difference to them. These are ideologically hardened folks and will view the world from their coloured lenses. Objectivity is the last thing in their minds. So boycotting them is the only way to knock some sense into their skulls.
Unfortunately, Indian diaspora is disorganised and disunited. Sad but true. So its not going to be easy in spreading the message. We should be able to channelise anger and outrage of Mumabi tragedy into an actionable result.
First task is to spread information within community and wake 'em up from apathy. Not everybody has the time for web. Distribution of phamplets could also be an option(just brain-storming). Every desi grocery store could carry pamphlets and distribute them to customers, or at least stick it prominently on the wall. Community organisations could be alerted and message spread through their mouth-pieces. NOTHING CAN BEAT WORD OF MOUTH PUBLICITY. Dissemination is the key.
Hitting them financially is a good strategy. As has been mentioned , lets just boycott them. Let the advertisers know of repurcussions as well. ESPECIALLY BANKS, WITH WHOM WE DO BUSINESS AND DEPOSIT FUNDS. Withdraw X amount of dollars from our current bank and deposit in another bank and let 'em know why. Indians should not advertise in STAR chain of newspapers. Advertisers know the value of word of mouth publicty over TRP ratings.
Equally important is the loss of credibility and prestige for a news organisation.
Lets attack their credibility. How to counter their propoganda/statistics? I don't have many ideas on this. If a news organisation loses credibility, then their raison d'etre in media business is put to question. Counter articles in other newspapers? Muckracking of STAR's statistics? Ombudsman? Human rights tribunal? Just raising issues on their credibility in public forums would be a good start.
Its not going to be easy, but the problem now is at our doorstep. If we do nothing about it now, we are next. They are trying tap into us by introducing 'Desi Life', so they drool over advertising dollars targetting us. Hit 'em where it hurts.
Location: carl sagan's universe
Posted on: 06-12-08 12:35:30
Please see letters to ed in the star..
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/549358
I believe your letter is in there manojcns.
are u manoj sasankan?
_______________________________________________
I am very disappointed by Haroon Siddiqui's take on the Mumbai terror attack. He seems to be justifying terror attacks. He insulted India.
Manoj Sasankan, Toronto
______________________________________________
any other CDs' letters in there?
Location: carl sagan's universe
Posted on: 06-12-08 12:54:48
Quote:
Originally posted by bjork
Letters will make no difference to them. These are ideologically hardened folks and will view the world from their coloured lenses. Objectivity is the last thing in their minds. So boycotting them is the only way to knock some sense into their skulls.
Unfortunately, Indian diaspora is disorganised and disunited. Sad but true. So its not going to be easy to spread the message. We should be able to channelise anger and outrage of Mumabi tragedy into an actionable result.
First task is to spread information within community and wake 'em up from apathy. Not everybody has the time for web. Distribution of phamplets could also be an option(just brain-storming). Every desi grocery store could carry pamphlets and distribute them to customers, or at least stick it prominently on the wall. Community organisations could be alerted and message spread through their mouth-pieces. NOTHING CAN BEAT WORD OF MOUTH PUBLICITY. Dissemination is the key.
Hitting them financially is a good strategy. As has been mentioned , lets just boycott them. Let the advertisers know of repurcussions as well. ESPECIALLY BANKS, WITH WHOM WE DO BUSINESS AND DEPOSIT FUNDS. Withdraw X amount of dollars from our current bank and deposit in another bank and let 'em know why. Indians should not advertise in STAR chain of newspapers. Advertisers know the value of word of mouth publicty over TRP ratings.
Equally important is the loss of credibility and prestige for a news organisation.
Lets attack their credibility. How to counter their propoganda/statistics? I don't have many ideas on this. If a news organisation loses credibility, then their raison d'etre in media business is put to question. Counter articles in other newspapers? Muckracking of STAR's statistics? Ombudsman? Human rights tribunal? Just raising issues on their credibility in public forums would be a good start.
Its not going to be easy, but the problem now is at our doorstep. If we do nothing about it now, we are next. They are trying tap into us by introducing 'Desi Life', so they drool over advertising dollars targetting us. Hit 'em where it hurts.
so what r u doing about it?
I remember a few years ago , there was a Bollywood Hollywood aids benefit event here in TO where fotos of Hindu deities were strewn all over the floor and people were stepping on them. Many Indians gathered together to protest that. A Star columnist spoke against the Hindus taking objection to westerners stomping on these fotos. Some even on this forum said everything was cool in the name of art. But boy a lot of Indians got together and slammed The Star for writing that column and that columnist doesn't dare write anything that could remotely be taken in a wrong sense against the Hindus.
If enough Indians got together to slam haroon- something could definitely be achieved.
But to expect that from contributors to this forum- well being around here for some time, I don't think that is possible. But I would love to be proven wrong.
The only thing I can remember that was positive from this forum was to get enough people ignited to write to the media and get the Indian consulate to accept OCI fees in USD instead of CAD.
Maybe there have been other positive achievements. please fill me in.
This one seems to have fizzled out.I would like to add something here but unfortunately that would only widen the schism between a certain person and myself, which I don't think would be fruitful. That particular person knows I am referring to him and he should do some real heavy introspection, since he is always knocking other people thinking himself to be above reproof, unless of course there is some backdoor alliance already up and running to do something positive about getting the Star to tone down its language that people on this forum are unaware of.
Quote:
Originally posted by investpro
Quote:
Originally posted by bjork
so what r u doing about it?
I remember a few years ago , there was a Bollywood Hollywood aids benefit event here in TO where fotos of Hindu deities were strewn all over the floor and people were stepping on them. Many Indians gathered together to protest that. A Star columnist spoke against the Hindus taking objection to westerners stomping on these fotos. Some even on this forum said everything was cool in the name of art. But boy a lot of Indians got together and slammed The Star for writing that column and that columnist doesn't dare write anything that could remotely be taken in a wrong sense against the Hindus.
If enough Indians got together to slam haroon- something could definitely be achieved.
But to expect that from contributors to this forum- well being around here for some time, I don't think that is possible. But I would love to be proven wrong.
The only thing I can remember that was positive from this forum was to get enough people ignited to write to the media and get the Indian consulate to accept OCI fees in USD instead of CAD.
Maybe there have been other positive achievements. please fill me in.
This one seems to have fizzled out.I would like to add something here but unfortunately that would only widen the schism between a certain person and myself, which I don't think would be fruitful. That particular person knows I am referring to him and he should do some real heavy introspection, since he is always knocking other people thinking himself to be above reproof, unless of course there is some backdoor alliance already up and running to do something positive about getting the Star to tone down its language that people on this forum are unaware of.
I don't buy STAR anymore. I'll will convince my relatives and friends in doing the same. I am confident that I 'll be affecting at least ten to fifteen cancellations as a result of this campaign. Most desis buy Star. I will start propoganda against STAR in any way possible.
Pamphlets, I don't know. Maybe at a community get-together or some other event. I plan on trying anyways.
Regarding attacking their credibility, I don't know as yet how to go about it. Will need to think about it in more detailed manner. Unfortunatley other publications are no angels either. But if everybody else gets the message as a result of this boycott...
Not a lot, but not entirely futile either.
Quote:
Originally posted by investpro
This one seems to have fizzled out.I would like to add something here but unfortunately that would only widen the schism between a certain person and myself, which I don't think would be fruitful. That particular person knows I am referring to him and he should do some real heavy introspection, since he is always knocking other people thinking himself to be above reproof, unless of course there is some backdoor alliance already up and running to do something positive about getting the Star to tone down its language that people on this forum are unaware of.
Fair comments except for the schism and above reproof ones, I don't know what that's all about. Anyways, not the time for that right now.
I haven't been able to follow up at all on this since my last post owing to a bout of sickness at home and escalations at work.
In any case, this hasn't fizzled out, at least not for me. I was planning to revive it and post some drafts later today. I have received one PM from Hiren offering help and unless I missed something, there are two people on the thread who've offered to volunteer time.
Here's what needs to be done based on my last post
0. Dig up a couple of other examples of Haroon's articles that show clear bias. (owner - Can someone who's been following this guy volunteer time to do this? The findings can be posted on the forum)
1. Set up an online petition (Owner - BL. Will be drafted today 9:00 pm)
2. Draft an email with link to article to all your buddies and ask them to write to Toronto Star (Owner - BL)
3. Reach out to the contacts in the Jewish community since Jews were a specific target, however the article does not justice to them. (Owner - Investpro + Hiren?)
4. Draft a letter to TorStar Senior Management highlighting issues with the article and the above action plan organized by the CD forum. Send this by conventional mail (and email copies, however we need to get ). (Owner - Investpro)
5. Post drafts and links on CD for review and get a few members to go throught them. (Owner - BL)
Once we do the drafts, there will be more work identified, and although 2/3 guys can get this rolling, more people need to commit time to make something happen. I'd expect all vocal members on this thread and the other ones will be able to contribute.
Thoughts?
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Are you there?
Ok, this just does not seem to be working for me. Someone from my family has been admitted to emergency today and will be there overnight, I'll be staying along.
Someone else will have to pick on managing the above activities. I should be able to contribute as of Tuesday if things go well tomorrow.
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Are you there?
Location: carl sagan's universe
Posted on: 09-12-08 18:06:47
Hi BL,
Hope everything is cool with your family. Just read this thread as I have been short of time due RESP season, but will def draft something up.
