Raghavendra Bhat wrote:
We should instead write to the Editor of `Malayala Manorama' thanking him ...
The media reaches out to millions of people every day, and if they could present facts, as they are, to the public, it would be a great boon and benefit to all concerned. Presenting the free software movement in correct light will increase use of free software, and possibly attract better talents towards the movement.
The Financial Express, which is part of the Indian Express group appears to have published http://fecolumnists.expressindia.com/full_column.php?content_id=22247 an article some time back, using the word Dick to refer to the founder of the Free Software Movement which is inappropriate. While the press has freedom to report using language it thinks fit, it does not extend to freaking on important news or publishing crude articles. Of course, we could ignore such news items as not worth our attention or time, but the press does reach out to the public at large, and therefore, some concern needs to be shown when such issues crop up.
Indian Express web site uses PHP which is compiled ideally with gcc and make. Indian Express uses free software not because it is free or cheap, or because Indian Express is poor, but because it is robust and reliable. We can highlight the practical value of free software and its philosophy, so that the media is more serious in its research and reporting of news connected with free software movement.
As Raghavendra Bhat and Anil wrote, we should make it a point to appreciate factual coverage by the press, and quickly respond to any news that freaks on free software.