In his column for Mint ("Media and Moral Outrage"), Salil Tripathi defends Indian journalists against criticisms made by fellow journalist P. Sainath.
Although Tripathi's main point is that journalism needs to be objective, what struck me was his his response to Sainath's judgment that stories about fashion shows and the like are "frivolous." Tripathi writes that:
"By juxtaposing a fashion event with the Vidarbha farmers' suicides, Sainath is pitting the so-called India against Bharat, or "shining" India versus "declining" India. Far from solving any problem, it accentuates an unnecessary divide."
This is the most insightful comment in the column and inspired me to delve more deeply into the role of journalism in a society such as India's, which is rapidly evolving and, as a result, trying to figure out its identity.
After having lived in rural India for more than a year, one of my biggest frustrations has been the lack of synergy. Bagar, the town in which I work, has 35 educational institutions. Yes. 35. But Bagar is case and point that quantity does not always equal quality: Students float from school to school. So do teachers. Student attendance is not consistent. I mean, this list could go on and on. And these are not problems unique to Bagar.
The problem is an unhealthy level of competition. Unhealthy in the sense that the competition does not result in an improved product (education). I have yet to hear someone say that schools should work together because they share a common purpose.
That's what came to mind when I read the above passage. How can India improve if its two identities are constantly treated as that: two separate, isolated identities? Imagine the possibilities if the two Indias felt a loyalty to each other not because they are technically one, but because they FEEL like one.
In today's India(s), I think journalists have a very important mission: to remind EVERYONE of the common purpose.
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2 comments:
role of media is covering agrarian crisis is too serious to discuss.even after more than 5000 farm suicide ,p.sainath is the only one senior media person who has visited like local reporter moved more than 500 farm suicide effected villages and was only one person who forced indian prime minister to have visit ncf chairman dr.ms swaminathan vist in sept,2005 then visit of expert and all study panel of planning commission in dec.,2005 march 2006 then indian prime minister dr.man mohan singh has visited vidarbha as per reports of p sainath and first relief package rs.3750 crore was announced but failed to serve purpose then repeated visits and write ups of p sainath forced indian govt. to announce rs. 60,000 crore loan waover on 29th feb.,2008 and on next day 1st march p.sainath visited suicide effected villages along with indian minister manishanker ayer to and till follow up to stop agrarian crisis is going.p.sainath's role act as main opposition party in agrarian crisis,he has been advocating dying indian farming community has been well acknowledged smt.sonia gandhi,PMO,indian parliament,all political parties in india ,all section of international and national universities,forums,foundations,bodies,masses and press.
anger of p.sainath is justified as even after international media reporters were visiting india to take know ground reality of vidarbha ,not single senior editor has asked his junior staff to visit vidarbha.
I am witness to 33000 farm suicides of vidarbha since 1998 and happened to see role media very closely and it is painful part of my life but very shameful bolt to Indian media chapter due to it's proven hostile role as first they failed to report fact then they reported fabricated reports with out visiting vidarbha.in fact indian media community failed to report agrarian crisis or food crisis or poverty crisis as you cant write the issue by sitting in the delhi-mumbai-madras office hence version of p.sainath on visits to vidarbha since june 2005 by senior editor is very important hence mad rush to get free pass lakme fashion week is point to be raised in editors guild meet.p.sainath has respect to all media community and it's not matter of divide in bharat and india ,there is already big gao between india - bharat but to look at it one has to visit vidarbha not fashion week.
kishore tiwari
vidarbha jan andolan samiti
kishortiwari@gmail.com
contact-094222108846
Unfortunately, Indian media is playing to the galleries. It has forgotten the onerous responsibilty of being the opinion makers and changers.
@ Kishore : It is very unfortunate that the media is not covering anything about the Vidarbha tragedy. Do you think a web based video channel which focusses on such uncool stuff can take off? Please do let me know, as we have a plan in the offing
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