Never tickle a sleeping giant (or Indian blogosphere shows its might)
The most popular search on Technorati today is "IIPM" which is the name of a local private business school in India. Why? Because a local youth magazine outed IIPM's false claims and over exaggeration in their advertisements. Another blogger Gaurav Sabnis linked to that article. Soon after, IIPM served him a "legal" notice via email. What a mistake! Worse, they went ahead and started complaining to his employer IBM. In response, Sabnis resigned from IBM! And now its war. Like never before. Indian blogosphere is in top gear right now. I had been following the story since a few days now. But I could not have imagined that it would take a such a twist. The story will make it to mainstream media within a day or so. IIPM ended up with major egg on their face which they deserved if it is really IIPM officials posting these comments . A story in a niche magazine would have gone almost unnoticed. But this is going to hurt them bad.
Desi Pundit announced a "blog war" on IIPM today. Personally, I think this kind of "ganging up on somebody" is really really wrong and an ominous sign of things to come in the desi blogosphere. Sure, in all probability, IIPM acted like a sleazeball but does every blogger condemning them on his or her blog know that for sure? Did each one of the "blog warriors" double check the facts, verified the claims, talked to former/current students of IIPM? If not, then they are hitting below the belt. Citizen journalism is going to become more and more relevant with time. But with great power comes great responsibility (thanks Spiderman!). Those blogging based on their personal experiences or cold facts are doing a service to their readers (probably that is what the original article in JAMMAG was). But if you are going to deride somebody just because your blogger buddies ended up having an issue with them, then thats just plain wrong. Let's not create a culture of "don't mess with us or else..". And for a moment, think about the career of present and past students of IIPM. They are surely going to have a hard time finding jobs for no fault of theirs.
I would like to write more about this but its late night and I am still at work. Maybe more later.
Comments
Thanks for posting a different view on this issue. I am sick of reading same thing everywhere. Also while Gaurav Sabnis talks of Freedom of Speech he has disabled the comments to his blog few months ago. So how does anyone from IIPM going to let his readers know their point of view?
Posted by: Vick | October 12, 2005 03:55 AM
Well I was quite concerned when I read this article a few days back myself, the point here is that does an organization have the right to serve a legal notice based upon what one posts on one's blog, if so then blogging will soon loose it's charm cause no one would want to get into trouble for posting one's opinion.
I don't think that blogs have acquired an official status and wouldn't want them to. On this issue I have to side with gaurav sabnis, One must feel sorry for him as he had to quit his job for just expressing his thoughts.
Bloggers link to hundereds of sites and IIPM isn't being fair here. If they really believe in what they say then why dont they bring out the facts in the open , or better sue the paper that published this report.
Sorry for such a long comment, but I am quite concerned on this issue and it is sensitive as it involves freedom of speech and the freedom to blog. A few weeks ago a personal opnion of mine on my blog, caused a threat to be send to someone else, I'm sure u're aware of that.
Posted by: Kirti Dhingra | October 13, 2005 02:34 AM
IIPM inspite of its humongous media campaigns never impressed me. In the world of education quality speaks, the IIMs and other top institutes don't have to spend crores on advertising. Their work speaks for themselves.
Yes, the bloggers are ganging up on IIPM. Not because they tried to attempt to bully a fellow blogger. But because they also shared the fellow blogger's views. The 'institution' instead of attempting to clear the smoke (if there's any) is only fanning the fire. The second in the series of the legal notices is already out. And the language used there is specifically meant to intimidate. But they are mistaken. And I seriously suspect if the matter ever really reaches the courts.
Posted by: Soumyadip | October 13, 2005 05:59 PM
I think Mark Twain ,s comment is very apt "Get your facts first and than you can distort them as much as you like ."
Posted by: joy | October 14, 2005 08:06 PM
My thoughts exactly. You may also want to see my post on this controversy.
Posted by: Tiffin | October 16, 2005 01:39 AM