There’s some very unseemly tension brewing between defence journalists in Bangalore and Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL). It all began with some apparent intrigue/bungling by the folks at HAL, resulting in only a small group of reporters being invited for the Hawk deal signing event. It apparently took complaints to the Defence Ministry by a handful of the uninvited, and last minute intervention at the MoD-level to bring things back on track.
As it stands, Bangalore-based defence journalists say they feel ignored already, and that HAL’s new media policy of intrigue has only fuelled their anger. Former HAL spokesperson Anantha Krishnan M has more on his blog and has decided to start a campaign against what he calls HAL’s “iron curtain policy on the media”. In October-November last year, I’d posted extensively on HAL’s inexplicable decision to shut down its press division, making it the only defence public sector firm without a formal spokesperson. Considering some of the stuff being said out there, things could get pretty ugly soon. Watch this space.
why MSM AK is doing all this? is it because he was chucked out of HAL as chief media communications controller? Too bad AK!!!
Doesn't surprise. But tell me. Has HAL designated a Public Information Officer for the purpose of compliance with the Right To Information Act?
This is the problem with PSUs, they dont need to meet targets, improve standard, increase efficiency or improve their image wrt media/other corporations.
This sort of thing automatically happens in pvt sector because they have shareholders – whereas HAL income is guarenteed even if what they assemble is junk that noone wants.
I support journalists demand for more transparency and better PR by HAL
@Saurabh: Yes. See here. http://www.hal-india.com/RTI/List_of_PIO-AA.pdf
Anon 9:24 pm.
You got it wrong or may be you are not aware what AK Sir has done for HAL. His last email to employees are still pasted on the desks of many in the company. Also, correct yourself as he was not chucked out, but he left after completing his contract and also after serving the notice period of 3 months. (It's my department which typed his last orders and I saw one of my colleagues in tears.) He made an impact within short time and we came to know the strengths of our company through him. We are not knowing what's happening in the company now and many press reports are also against us, which is bad. Instead of making fun of AK Sir, you ask our CMD why no Press Rep is appointed.
As it is HAL is plagued with 101 problems. Now we don't need the press to be hounding after them. Just bcoz few journalists were not invited it doesn't mean that HAL has to be hauled up for that. Often in such functions the journalists misbehave and act like Nazis. It's high time you guys took a good look at yourselves and ask yourselves why you are not invited.
who is MSM AK?? anthony?
Anon10:10 PM. please note my address to AK.. i have addressed him as MSM Ak ,that itself speaks the recognition he got for MSM. By the way why his contract was not extended? There must be some reason. Do you think just by having AK in HAL PR, HAL suing BAe for 10 million $ for non supply of jigs required for assembly of HAWKs at HAL, crash of one HAwk at Bidar, non supply of spares will be resolved ???.They just got buried under the red carpet thrown to the British PM.Do you think he will cover whole story to the nation, tom toming that ALL IS WELL? No doubt MSM and THE PLANE are two wonderful things that have happened in HAL history, Ak also used MSM as a propaganda tool to glorify malloos!! Amen!!
I ask again.. who is MSM AK ?
@Anon 12:30 AM
Amen?…Are you an Indian Christian?
Defense journalists….that's an oxymoron…
Shiv, what happened to the MRCA? The report was supposed to be out by the end of July and this is the end of July.
"Often in such functions the journalists misbehave and act like Nazis. It's high time you guys took a good look at yourselves and ask yourselves why you are not invited."
Anon – couldn't agree more.
HAL must have a Media Dept. Not sure why they don't want it! Why are they not wanting to be with the changing times? It's not rocket science, right?