After reading Anil Netto's republished article from the Asia Times Online 'Missing pieces in media coverage of terror attacks' (Sept 21), I would agree that the points made here were true for the first few days after the attacks.

But in defence of the western media notably CNN, I have continued to be glued to that channel till now and I felt that recently their coverage is actually more balanced than I expected it to be. Granted that it will always be geared towards the American perspective but it is trying in a limited way to cover the other perspectives and trying to understand at least as much as Americans can.

Coverage of Afghanistan talks about its problems and CNN has tried to address why many hate the US around the world. It has also reported the concerns of Muslim countries that retaliation without evidence would be unwise and has discussed the need for a review of America's foreignpolicies particularly in Israel/Palestine. So in fairness to this particular media group, it has tried to cover other sides as well.

CNN commentators have also repeatedly covered statements from officials stating that Islam and these terrorist acts must be separated. And as I watch just now Americans were speaking out against acting rashly and being sure that other innocents in other countries are not victimised by any retaliations. So their voices are being allowed to be heard.

Actually what I found lacking from CNN's initial reporting of the attacks was a sense of humanity. Many of us might recall hearing recordings of Herbert Morrison covering the Hindenburg disaster of 1937 when that airship caught fire when trying to land in Lakehurst, when he sobbed, "Oh the Humanity!.... I'm going to step inside where I can't see it... I... Listen folks, I'm going to have to stop for a minute, because I have lost my voice... this is the worst thing I have ever witnessed..."

The CNN reporters never lost their cold analytical voices even when the towers collapsed one after the other. I believe that that is a sad state when reporters can witness that and display so little emotion. I guess that shows how desensitised the media have become and that I hope that that coldness will not affect us in some way.