MEDIA:MORALITY:MEDICINE;..Why should a Doctor be getting bad publicity for doing right thing?..
by Fiaz Fazili on Friday, August 31, 2012 at 9:05am ·
MEDIA:MORALITY:MEDICINE;
“Tragedy of errors: doctors from Kashmir remove woman's gall bladder instead of appendix”local;national;international _Media reported. but what didnt catch headlines--- ‘News of docs’ negligence at SDH Ganderbal ‘fabricated’-Published: Thu, 23 August 2012 10:52 Pm-http://www.kashmirreader.com/08232012-ND-%E2%80%98news-of-docs%E2%80%99-negligence-at-sdh-ganderbal-%E2%80%98fabricated%E2%80%99-3170.aspx--Tale of an operation----http://kashmirreader.com/kreadernew/08312012-ND-a-doctor%E2%80%99s-tale-of-an-operation-3538.aspx
-- How do you want media to report professional issues which have impact on community and profession.?An appeal for review ---and debate for changing the perception of media on professional issues…..Why should a Doctor be getting bad publicity for doing right thing?.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM_ Let me today begin and talk mostly with the language the media is well versed with—and in their own words---- “It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Is the image to the right a picture of a vase? Or is it two faces looking at each other? There are many things that two people may see differently depending on their own expectations and biases, and news stories are the same. Sometimes, the same story will be reported in very different ways depending on who is doing the reporting.”.(pk mediawatch).What makes IJ_Defining -Investigative journalism it different -from other types of journalism?Investigative reporting has many, sometimes widely divergent, meanings. To understand what investigative reporting is, it may be best to start by explaining what it is not.It is said that all reporting is investigative. After all, journalists routinely dig for facts. They ask questions.They get information. They ‘investigate’.But is this really the case? In the day-to-day practice of journalism, how deep do reporters really dig? How probing are their questions? And how complete or original is the information that they present?The reality is that daily news coverage is usually not probing or investigative. It reports mainly what officials or institutions say, as well as other people’s responses to what has been previously said. Much of what we consider ‘news’ is reporting on official statements or reactions to official statements.But what we see -Most of the time, journalists react to what is happening or what has been publicly announced. Reporters seldom decide on their own, what or who they cover. They often do not initiate story ideas. Unfolding events and the daily schedule of news briefings and press conferences determine what makes it to the newspaper, the newscast or the Web. The news reporter’s job is to confirm the facts of the story, make sense of them and to put them together in a coherent report.-Balkan reporting)
Say something nice about someone none will probably read make it mean, malicious, scandalous news, story makes Headlines for the wrong reason and readily catches public attention. A prime example could be seen earlier this week when different media groups ranging from local print media to the international web dailies (china daily .com) reported the same event – “ In a case of alleged negligence, doctors in a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir removed the gall bladder of a woman instead of her swollen appendix ---but in very different ways.--
KCW-Kashmir corruption watch “,a group on social web site initiated by a Medico campaigning against menace of corruption reporting on this story initially---this blog does not take a position on whether the -removal of GB instead of appendix - is a good or bad decision.---With more than three decades of Surgical expertise at my back I could’nt mince the words ,“
“Timely intervention with right indication and appropriate procedure under the circumstances done .If there is any shortcoming perhaps it is a gap in communication skills.”, unfortunately these comments were nor published.”.What didn’t make headlines or news in media except GK , was comments from experts and a link posted on same blog leading to the explanation (rebuuttal)given by treating Doctors /incharge Medical officer /relatives on the same story. Some pundits accused the mainstream media of distorting the actual facts while reporting on this story .. .;http://www.kashmirreader.com/08232012-ND-%E2%80%98news-of-docs%E2%80%99-negligence-at-sdh-ganderbal-%E2%80%98fabricated%E2%80%99-3170.aspx-----------------http://kashmirreader.com/kreadernew/08312012-ND-a-doctor%E2%80%99s-tale-of-an-operation-3538.aspx
Now, Welcome to Journalism Ethics for the Global Citizen, ;The Qualities which distinguish newswriting from other forms of writing is accuracy. Every statement, must be verifiable. This involves the way the details are put together and the emphasis given those details. Balance, closely related to accuracy, is the selection of significant details as a result of informed judgment on the part of the reporter. Balance involves giving facts proper emphasis and placing them in proper relation to other facts. A balanced story is also a complete story, where the reporter presents both sides of an issue, particularly if it is controversial. The overall article must give an accurate portrayal of an event or situation, and poor selection of details or improper emphasis of details can distort the truth. In addition, accuracy of general impression is also important..News reporting"---was expected to be relatively neutral or at least factual, after reading this story ... we do think it is important to ask why the media portrays so differently the same message delivered by two different source.Filing speculative story hurriedly , with blinders on, blocking out almost anything that doesn't have to do with. -"What does this all mean for, the reputation of ,” Treating Surgeons , Medical profession, State health services, still under recovery from the Gb pant tragedy. Medical profession is based on a delicate trust where a needy person(patient) willingly consents for use of sharp instruments blades /knife etc to be used on him/her body .or for the repair/removal of any organ Bias in print and broadcast media may manifest itself in varying ways,. the manner of presentation itself may lead to false and biased conclusions undermining the basic goal of most professional journalists, however, is to serve society by informing the alerts.While A misconceived wrong operation is more than just a major, intense, news story causing unintended :damage to patient Doctor relationship., avoid reporting anything without checking the facts or the information with unsubstantiated allegations or taking opinion of professional experts .Let's look at some strategies for distinguishing facts from allegations .As a Surgical and Quality management expert or anyone in medical fraternity with little common sense or experience and/or knowledge of patho-physiology(sequence of events )of Peritonitis and its life threatening complications will agree about the appropriate type of management and timing and type of surgical intervention done in this case --.-instead of normal looking appendix— diseased gall bladder is removed during abdominal exploration does not amount to any mal practice or negligence, and definitely not a case report for media headlines
My take on this matter is ,before printing the story why isn't the media digging into factual details with the aid of some experts in this profession whether the decisions made in this case met the professional standards or, Was here,if any deviation from the standard practice?-DO NO MORE HARM"..-, How do you change the presentation of your message?"One of the most important goals of media advocates is to change the way health issues are portrayed. The media tend to use individual stories to discuss an issue, so the impression that comes across is often one of "blaming the victim.
"The examples we provided at the beginning of this section is a good illustration of victims being blamed for their unfortunate situations. I t's sad because the news media, in general, has not only dropped the ball on this one, it has done harm to the coverage this story should be getting. This is the problem. .I am not denying all is well in already ailing health sector, we do have bad apples which need exemplary treatment---and system review in accountability and auditing.-I have never defended any grave error or negligence on the part of any medical practitioners rather I am strong advocate of accountability and always stood on the patient’s side , never hesitated to voice my concerns about quality of standards in our health care ,and accountability in the \gross errors in medicine..But everything has its own norms, route of accountability --not through media trials.only .. where Media advocacy tries to shift the focus from the individual to a wider, society-based view. No, it's not sad because this is supposedly the media that is our very own watchdog, our own public voice on our genuine concerns ;sensitive civic issues;that is not beholden to those with power and influence, or covering the story with nothing more important in mind than the uproar it will generate. We as Medical fraternity feel It's a disappointing /discouraging for those health care workers and doctors who work under very unfavorable circumstances and limited resources ..display of such type reporting should not be there without verification of details and authentication by experts , particularly when emotional, disturbing events like of GB pant holocaust are still under the public scrutiny.and have damged a delicate relationship and trust between doctor and patients -.I can only hope the media gets its act together over the coming days and week. But I'm afraid I could be waiting for a very long time. Once this story dies down, nothing will be clarified later. All the erroneous and unauthenticated reports and information filed by various news outlets the past few days will go uncorrected, unaccounted for, and the society will be left with only warped understanding of what exactly is in that cloud hanging over the Medical –noble profession and its noble professionals,. My last take is - Does our Media need any watch dog or is it free from any accountability to-the-society -profession --professionals -?or Are we seeing a writing on wall not so distant --"No sooner readers will prefer social network /websites with interactive debates/discussions with fair chance to represent ..his/her views on news...Let me end with the bold statement of .THE VETERAN JOURNALIST OUR BROTHER AND FAVORITE OF MASSES, Yususf Jameel -whom I ALWAYS ADMIRED HIM FOR his BOLDNESS --FAIRNESS-while COMMENTING ABOUT his own co-professionals—“the profession of journalism has virtually been overwhelmed by ........ –rather the breed with such instincts has penetrated in our profession and is ruling the roost….,”the healthmail 2011p39 People in -- - if we don't wake up to the situation --we are ready to write our own obituaries.
p.s My friend DR Shakil mujahid and myself have been enjoying proximity to the Media personalities for more than three decades-we have friends/realtives in media more than what we have from our own profession.-we know -they are respectful; honest and professional ,never hesitate to take expert 's opinion on professional issues- before reporting - but why this story fell short of such expectations////
---must have a reason-http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2012/Oct/5/saving-lives-33.asp
“Tragedy of errors: doctors from Kashmir remove woman's gall bladder instead of appendix”local;national;international _Media reported. but what didnt catch headlines--- ‘News of docs’ negligence at SDH Ganderbal ‘fabricated’-Published: Thu, 23 August 2012 10:52 Pm-http://www.kashmirreader.com/08232012-ND-%E2%80%98news-of-docs%E2%80%99-negligence-at-sdh-ganderbal-%E2%80%98fabricated%E2%80%99-3170.aspx--Tale of an operation----http://kashmirreader.com/kreadernew/08312012-ND-a-doctor%E2%80%99s-tale-of-an-operation-3538.aspx
-- How do you want media to report professional issues which have impact on community and profession.?An appeal for review ---and debate for changing the perception of media on professional issues…..Why should a Doctor be getting bad publicity for doing right thing?.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM_ Let me today begin and talk mostly with the language the media is well versed with—and in their own words---- “It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Is the image to the right a picture of a vase? Or is it two faces looking at each other? There are many things that two people may see differently depending on their own expectations and biases, and news stories are the same. Sometimes, the same story will be reported in very different ways depending on who is doing the reporting.”.(pk mediawatch).What makes IJ_Defining -Investigative journalism it different -from other types of journalism?Investigative reporting has many, sometimes widely divergent, meanings. To understand what investigative reporting is, it may be best to start by explaining what it is not.It is said that all reporting is investigative. After all, journalists routinely dig for facts. They ask questions.They get information. They ‘investigate’.But is this really the case? In the day-to-day practice of journalism, how deep do reporters really dig? How probing are their questions? And how complete or original is the information that they present?The reality is that daily news coverage is usually not probing or investigative. It reports mainly what officials or institutions say, as well as other people’s responses to what has been previously said. Much of what we consider ‘news’ is reporting on official statements or reactions to official statements.But what we see -Most of the time, journalists react to what is happening or what has been publicly announced. Reporters seldom decide on their own, what or who they cover. They often do not initiate story ideas. Unfolding events and the daily schedule of news briefings and press conferences determine what makes it to the newspaper, the newscast or the Web. The news reporter’s job is to confirm the facts of the story, make sense of them and to put them together in a coherent report.-Balkan reporting)
Say something nice about someone none will probably read make it mean, malicious, scandalous news, story makes Headlines for the wrong reason and readily catches public attention. A prime example could be seen earlier this week when different media groups ranging from local print media to the international web dailies (china daily .com) reported the same event – “ In a case of alleged negligence, doctors in a hospital in Jammu and Kashmir removed the gall bladder of a woman instead of her swollen appendix ---but in very different ways.--
KCW-Kashmir corruption watch “,a group on social web site initiated by a Medico campaigning against menace of corruption reporting on this story initially---this blog does not take a position on whether the -removal of GB instead of appendix - is a good or bad decision.---With more than three decades of Surgical expertise at my back I could’nt mince the words ,“
“Timely intervention with right indication and appropriate procedure under the circumstances done .If there is any shortcoming perhaps it is a gap in communication skills.”, unfortunately these comments were nor published.”.What didn’t make headlines or news in media except GK , was comments from experts and a link posted on same blog leading to the explanation (rebuuttal)given by treating Doctors /incharge Medical officer /relatives on the same story. Some pundits accused the mainstream media of distorting the actual facts while reporting on this story .. .;http://www.kashmirreader.com/08232012-ND-%E2%80%98news-of-docs%E2%80%99-negligence-at-sdh-ganderbal-%E2%80%98fabricated%E2%80%99-3170.aspx-----------------http://kashmirreader.com/kreadernew/08312012-ND-a-doctor%E2%80%99s-tale-of-an-operation-3538.aspx
Now, Welcome to Journalism Ethics for the Global Citizen, ;The Qualities which distinguish newswriting from other forms of writing is accuracy. Every statement, must be verifiable. This involves the way the details are put together and the emphasis given those details. Balance, closely related to accuracy, is the selection of significant details as a result of informed judgment on the part of the reporter. Balance involves giving facts proper emphasis and placing them in proper relation to other facts. A balanced story is also a complete story, where the reporter presents both sides of an issue, particularly if it is controversial. The overall article must give an accurate portrayal of an event or situation, and poor selection of details or improper emphasis of details can distort the truth. In addition, accuracy of general impression is also important..News reporting"---was expected to be relatively neutral or at least factual, after reading this story ... we do think it is important to ask why the media portrays so differently the same message delivered by two different source.Filing speculative story hurriedly , with blinders on, blocking out almost anything that doesn't have to do with. -"What does this all mean for, the reputation of ,” Treating Surgeons , Medical profession, State health services, still under recovery from the Gb pant tragedy. Medical profession is based on a delicate trust where a needy person(patient) willingly consents for use of sharp instruments blades /knife etc to be used on him/her body .or for the repair/removal of any organ Bias in print and broadcast media may manifest itself in varying ways,. the manner of presentation itself may lead to false and biased conclusions undermining the basic goal of most professional journalists, however, is to serve society by informing the alerts.While A misconceived wrong operation is more than just a major, intense, news story causing unintended :damage to patient Doctor relationship., avoid reporting anything without checking the facts or the information with unsubstantiated allegations or taking opinion of professional experts .Let's look at some strategies for distinguishing facts from allegations .As a Surgical and Quality management expert or anyone in medical fraternity with little common sense or experience and/or knowledge of patho-physiology(sequence of events )of Peritonitis and its life threatening complications will agree about the appropriate type of management and timing and type of surgical intervention done in this case --.-instead of normal looking appendix— diseased gall bladder is removed during abdominal exploration does not amount to any mal practice or negligence, and definitely not a case report for media headlines
My take on this matter is ,before printing the story why isn't the media digging into factual details with the aid of some experts in this profession whether the decisions made in this case met the professional standards or, Was here,if any deviation from the standard practice?-DO NO MORE HARM"..-, How do you change the presentation of your message?"One of the most important goals of media advocates is to change the way health issues are portrayed. The media tend to use individual stories to discuss an issue, so the impression that comes across is often one of "blaming the victim.
"The examples we provided at the beginning of this section is a good illustration of victims being blamed for their unfortunate situations. I t's sad because the news media, in general, has not only dropped the ball on this one, it has done harm to the coverage this story should be getting. This is the problem. .I am not denying all is well in already ailing health sector, we do have bad apples which need exemplary treatment---and system review in accountability and auditing.-I have never defended any grave error or negligence on the part of any medical practitioners rather I am strong advocate of accountability and always stood on the patient’s side , never hesitated to voice my concerns about quality of standards in our health care ,and accountability in the \gross errors in medicine..But everything has its own norms, route of accountability --not through media trials.only .. where Media advocacy tries to shift the focus from the individual to a wider, society-based view. No, it's not sad because this is supposedly the media that is our very own watchdog, our own public voice on our genuine concerns ;sensitive civic issues;that is not beholden to those with power and influence, or covering the story with nothing more important in mind than the uproar it will generate. We as Medical fraternity feel It's a disappointing /discouraging for those health care workers and doctors who work under very unfavorable circumstances and limited resources ..display of such type reporting should not be there without verification of details and authentication by experts , particularly when emotional, disturbing events like of GB pant holocaust are still under the public scrutiny.and have damged a delicate relationship and trust between doctor and patients -.I can only hope the media gets its act together over the coming days and week. But I'm afraid I could be waiting for a very long time. Once this story dies down, nothing will be clarified later. All the erroneous and unauthenticated reports and information filed by various news outlets the past few days will go uncorrected, unaccounted for, and the society will be left with only warped understanding of what exactly is in that cloud hanging over the Medical –noble profession and its noble professionals,. My last take is - Does our Media need any watch dog or is it free from any accountability to-the-society -profession --professionals -?or Are we seeing a writing on wall not so distant --"No sooner readers will prefer social network /websites with interactive debates/discussions with fair chance to represent ..his/her views on news...Let me end with the bold statement of .THE VETERAN JOURNALIST OUR BROTHER AND FAVORITE OF MASSES, Yususf Jameel -whom I ALWAYS ADMIRED HIM FOR his BOLDNESS --FAIRNESS-while COMMENTING ABOUT his own co-professionals—“the profession of journalism has virtually been overwhelmed by ........ –rather the breed with such instincts has penetrated in our profession and is ruling the roost….,”the healthmail 2011p39 People in -- - if we don't wake up to the situation --we are ready to write our own obituaries.
p.s My friend DR Shakil mujahid and myself have been enjoying proximity to the Media personalities for more than three decades-we have friends/realtives in media more than what we have from our own profession.-we know -they are respectful; honest and professional ,never hesitate to take expert 's opinion on professional issues- before reporting - but why this story fell short of such expectations////
---must have a reason-http://www.greaterkashmir.com/news/2012/Oct/5/saving-lives-33.asp
