AUSTRALIA: Indian composer A.R. Rahman says media should be more responsible in covering racial tensions with Australia

Record ID: 555934

  • Title: AUSTRALIA: Indian composer A.R. Rahman says media should be more responsible in covering racial tensions with Australia
  • Date: 15th January 2010
  • Summary: SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA (JANUARY 14, 2010) (REUTERS) ***SOME FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** A.R. RAHMAN ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIAN COMPOSER, A. R. RAHMAN, SAYING: "First of all we need more responsible media. Media is a great tool but it can also be misused and provoke people. Just one wrong news can kill a thousand people. That happened in the past and we have to be extremely careful and strict about the truth. I think, I was speaking to a lot of people, they were saying that some of them are racial killing and some of them are not but everything is being painted in the same colour and we have to be very careful about that. And this concert is about, again, reaffirming the friendship and the interest of both people and I hope this concert brings that and I am sure it will." PHOTOGRAPHERS TAKING PHOTOS (SOUNDBITE) (English) COMPOSER, A. R. RAHMAN, SAYING: "Regarding safety, I would advise them not to go out at night. Especially in shady places where there are a lot of drug addicts and alcoholics. Be careful on that, because they are going to be the main reason for any trouble in the future so better to be careful and regarding the concert all of you come and enjoy the concert." VARIOUS OF POLICE OFFICERS AT THE NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) INDIAN COMPOSER, A. R. RAHMAN SAYING: "I think, I believe in destiny and I believe in good will can change destiny and if I have to go, I have to go, nobody can stop that. As I said, good will changes things and I hope you are with me." RAHMAN POSING FOR PHOTOGRAPHERS WITH THE SYDNEY HARBOUR BRIDGE AT HIS BACKDROP (3 SHOTS)
  • Embargoed: 30th January 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Australia
  • Country: Australia
  • Topics: International Relations,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVA6NH1T1H9S0NBWMA4WEH4ZYJFT
  • Story Text: Academy Award winning Indian composer A.R Rahman called on the media Thursday (January 14) to be extremely cautious in its coverage of racial tension between Indians and Australians.
    Rahman, who gained worldwide fame with his soundtrack for the movie "Slumdog Millionaire", appeared before the media ahead of his free concert in Sydney this weekend.
    After a few questions about his music, journalists asked Rahman's opinion on the recent tension between Australia and India following the killing of an Indian student in Melbourne early in January.
    "First of all we need more responsible media. Media is a great tool but it can also be misused and provoke people. Just one wrong news can kill a thousand people. That happened in the past and we have to be extremely careful and strict about the truth. I think, I was speaking to a lot of people, they were saying that some of them are racial killing and some of them are not but everything is being painted in the same colour and we have to be very careful about that. And this concert is about, again, reaffirming the friendship and the interest of both people and I hope this concert brings that and I am sure it will," he said.
    Rahman will take the stage on January 16 in Sydney park for a free concert as part of the Sydney Festival.
    "Regarding safety, I would advise them not to go out at night. Especially in shady places where there are a lot of drug addicts and alcoholics. Be careful on that, because they are going to be the main reason for any trouble in the future so better to be careful and regarding the concert, all of you come and enjoy the concert," he advised the Indian students who are studying in Australia.
    Rahman was also asked if he considered cancelling his trip due to concerns on his security.
    "I think, I believe in destiny and I believe good will can change destiny and if I have to go, I have to go, nobody can stop that. As I said, good will changes things and I hope you are with me," he said.
    Tensions between India and Australia mounted early this year following an Indian newspaper's depiction of an Australian police officer in a Klu Klux Klan costume.
    This came after the late night slaying of 21-year-old Indian student Nitin Garg in Melbourne.
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