Those criticising media covering #ChennaiFloods should read this

Much respect, especially to the ones that go out, and report. I have done that for many years, and I will always have respect for them. Some of them don't have a consistent turn of phrase, but will know the potholes and gutters better than the wordsmiths.

In my book, reporters and photographers are always the under-appreciated lot. With due respect to other friends - the commentators and lifestyle writers, who have also risen to the occasion - I think this coverage should celebrate the ones that do the boring job more often.

Let us not forget the time when the rains are not as severe. There are still reporters and photographers out on the field, if not in chest-deep water, at least in hip-deep water, year after year after year.

I heard from a friend that The Times of India in Chennai is running their editorial operations out of a hotel, with a ridiculously early deadline. I can imagine the kind of stress this would put on journos. Much, much respect to them.

To many in my Facebook "friends" list who keep talking to me about "journalism is this and journalism is that", let me tell you this: many of my friends have fallen sick while reporting in the last few days.

Do not form all your opinion about journalism based on the few TV anchors you dislike.

(This article first appeared on the writer's Facebook wall.)