“Meaningful journalism…..?”, the dirty look by an industry veteran was enough to intimidate a budding journalist in me. However, in the early `90s I could not read anything other than cynicism in the statement. The quest for getting an entry into journalism and earning the byline was so tempting that I failed to understand what really he wanted to convey. A couple of years later, on my first job as a city reporter the editor sounded more curt and straight when he suggested me to better forget about what all crap has been taught in the post graduation course of journalism. It was the love for bylines, strange fascination to see my name published, that yet again forced me to fall in line.
Over the next few years this byline syndrome drove me too far to even think of any real objective behind being the practitioner of journalism. Now as a communication consultant, the same question has yet again surfaced while talking to journalism students with whom I recently interacted as a guest faculty. The world may have changed over these years, and television may have stormed the media business, but what has not changed is the fact that it is the same old byline around which life of a journalist revolves. Television journalists too are a crazy lot for PTC (piece to camera) and Exclusive and even camera persons never fail to remind for mentioning their credit in the story.
It is not that I have now started detesting bylines, nor am I against given byline to a news story. I don’t actually mind even if the story headline says that “A girl has been raped in broad day light” and follows it up with “By Staff Reporter”. At times this credit to the beat journalist may confuse the average readers as to whether it was the staff reporter who had raped the girl. The idea here is to understand the state of mind where byline rules so supreme that we don’t really care for ethics, journalistic or humane. The cut throat competition among media houses and the rat race among the journalists have only deteriorated the objectives for which journalism ought to be practiced.
It seems we are not in the business to defend the cause of the victim but to victimize the one even further, be it a rape victim or someone who just lost the entire family in a blast. The lure of the byline and its by-product, thanks to the new breed of television journalism, “Exclusive” & “Breaking News” as the say, is so tempting that we fail to see there is a life beyond the credit line of the story too. It seems the entire journalistic objective is to persuade and manipulate the victim to narrate the suffering, and in the process relive the agony yet again.
It is not that journalists who are driven by this byline syndrome do gain something personally out of this “me first & me fast” syndrome. Of course, there are a few smart operators who make a fortune for themselves, but for most of the byline hungry lot it is actually love for the profession that drives them far and further. I know a whole bunch of journalists whose families have suffered due to their main bread winner being too involved in a profession where the only reward has been byline, with only a meager salary of course.
I wonder whether they can channelise this passion for something more meaningful. After all, whose interests are they serving if in the name of being ahead of other media and getting exclusives, the love for the profession too takes a back seat. But then that is a state of mind, which defies any rational explanation for even the best of the Freudians. Is there any way out? Can there be any avenue for meaningful journalism? May be yes, only if these dedicated journalists do get a media platform which is truly free, frank and fearless and not bound by editorial policy that is dictated by the advertising revenue.
In my opinion, only advocacy and activism journalism is the answer….and that too with a media platform that is not bound by editorial or marketing constraints. We need a media vehicle where there is no rat race for “me first & me fast” and where byline comes with your contribution to the cause, not by mere story filing. With these objectives TRACK2MEDIA is very soon launching www.indianewsstreet.com.
The news portal is being established to address major emerging issues and concerns, and welcome citizens’ advocacy and activism as well to coordinate and monitor progress in shaping the policies. The partnership would not merely be intellectual (championing the cause through advocacy) but also numeric (a large pool of activists to have a share in policy making). We look forward to actions that are substantive and not merely symbolic. Hopefully, we will make some of the media friends understand the fact that there is a life, and more meaningful life, beyond the bylines.
3:43 AM
9:09 AM
Why do you blog?
“Why do you write blogs”, asked a friend while driving on way to what I can call a long drive after quite a while. Had it come from someone who would have been ignorant of the pleasures of academics and writing, I would have avoided it as another off-the-cuff query. But knowing the fact that she herself is an addictive blogger and admittedly a competing writer, if not a better one and works with a leading media house was worth reading between the lines. It was not a normal query and I could read something in her sparkling and even more inquisitive eyes.
To the extent of my understanding of human behaviour, often being judgmental through the prism of Freudian psychology, the query was borne more out of an ideological and professional dilemma. Hence I felt the issue had the merit worth a serious introspection. It was all the more so since it seemed to me as if she herself is looking to find an answer. Writers, good bad or indifferent, are often the captive of their own make belief world where self doubt rules supreme.
I have always maintained that a counter question can not be an answer to a question, something that I often tell her too. And hence I had no liberty of choice but to resist the temptation of asking the same question back to her. Blogging, of course, is not as unusual today as it has been a couple of years back. Of late, the new tool in the form of Linkedin has also been flooding my mail box with all sorts of ideas on blog. This query, however, has not been on the innovative and often stupid ideas as to how the blog can be an effective tool in increasing business and how to increase the traffic on the blog. Another school of thought suggesting how blogging can add to your business too did not figure in my scheme of things.
Thus, there has been a simple query yet it led me to introspect as to why I spend so much time on blogging. Is it the pleasure of leisure that drives me to write blog? Or is it the absence of creative avenue to express that I find a solace in blogging? Well, in my case both the options were ruled out. While the process of establishing a communication consultancy company keeps me on my toes, I have also been doing freelance writing quite a bit. Added to this my advocacy and activism on various media outlets and associations are keeping me over occupied.
What instantly I could think of as an obvious reason that drives any blogger to waste his creative energy is his passion to raise issues and voice concerns. I suppose blog is the ideal platform to raise issues as per your own taste and wish. It is not something which is bound by the editorial policy or editors’ wish list. I believe the blogosphere is ideal for advocacy journalism since there is “no time, length or editorial constraints" and information is immediately available to everyone. “Hmmm…”, the friend agreed and wished “as if we all could have got such an ideal platform in the mainstream journalism where you make a living out of writing your heart out”.
We finally reached to a road side food joint for lunch, but a simple innocuous question forced into some serious introspection. The very purpose of life at one point in time that drove me into journalism, advocacy and activism, had taken the back seat over a period of time. It seems to have resurfaced yet again and hence this debate was the genesis of my initiative for such a media vehicle www.indianewsstreet.com, where we can practice journalism for analysis, advocacy and activism. TRACK2MEDIA is coming out with the dream project very soon, and till then it is blog blog….. and then, of course, this habit forming exercise too will continue.
To the extent of my understanding of human behaviour, often being judgmental through the prism of Freudian psychology, the query was borne more out of an ideological and professional dilemma. Hence I felt the issue had the merit worth a serious introspection. It was all the more so since it seemed to me as if she herself is looking to find an answer. Writers, good bad or indifferent, are often the captive of their own make belief world where self doubt rules supreme.
I have always maintained that a counter question can not be an answer to a question, something that I often tell her too. And hence I had no liberty of choice but to resist the temptation of asking the same question back to her. Blogging, of course, is not as unusual today as it has been a couple of years back. Of late, the new tool in the form of Linkedin has also been flooding my mail box with all sorts of ideas on blog. This query, however, has not been on the innovative and often stupid ideas as to how the blog can be an effective tool in increasing business and how to increase the traffic on the blog. Another school of thought suggesting how blogging can add to your business too did not figure in my scheme of things.
Thus, there has been a simple query yet it led me to introspect as to why I spend so much time on blogging. Is it the pleasure of leisure that drives me to write blog? Or is it the absence of creative avenue to express that I find a solace in blogging? Well, in my case both the options were ruled out. While the process of establishing a communication consultancy company keeps me on my toes, I have also been doing freelance writing quite a bit. Added to this my advocacy and activism on various media outlets and associations are keeping me over occupied.
What instantly I could think of as an obvious reason that drives any blogger to waste his creative energy is his passion to raise issues and voice concerns. I suppose blog is the ideal platform to raise issues as per your own taste and wish. It is not something which is bound by the editorial policy or editors’ wish list. I believe the blogosphere is ideal for advocacy journalism since there is “no time, length or editorial constraints" and information is immediately available to everyone. “Hmmm…”, the friend agreed and wished “as if we all could have got such an ideal platform in the mainstream journalism where you make a living out of writing your heart out”.
We finally reached to a road side food joint for lunch, but a simple innocuous question forced into some serious introspection. The very purpose of life at one point in time that drove me into journalism, advocacy and activism, had taken the back seat over a period of time. It seems to have resurfaced yet again and hence this debate was the genesis of my initiative for such a media vehicle www.indianewsstreet.com, where we can practice journalism for analysis, advocacy and activism. TRACK2MEDIA is coming out with the dream project very soon, and till then it is blog blog….. and then, of course, this habit forming exercise too will continue.
1:50 AM
When metaphysics defies rational explanation
“He looked into my eyes, uttered a few words and my heart started singing……”, it was early stages of my career in journalism that I wrote this intro for a satirical piece on a chance encounter with a fake astrologer. The heady dose of communism and socialism, something that I later renounced due to its inherent contradictions and hypocrisy, made me feel very proud of being rationalist. Discarding anything and everything that did not fit into the stated ideology was the in-thing and fashion during those days.
Coming out of the University with hot blood and activist mind, it was always ideology grappling for facts and figure and it never went the other way round. Therefore, astrology, metaphysics or occult science was something that was always a subject to despise. Over a period of time, some interest in psychology, followed by parapsychology and struggle of cruel fate in the fast lane of metro forced me into looking for so many developments which failed to give any rational reasoning. The failure of logic and the so-called worldly wisdom further led me to delve deep into metaphysics and the result: I got introduced to astrology in an attempt to find answer too many of the questions that otherwise would have remained unanswered.
Still, it was more to do with astrology and occult sciences as the subject of academic interest than a guiding force. Some of the wrong predictions amidst many right ones made me believe that astrology is not a prefect science. This was till the time I met Pradip Bhattacharyya, for whom it has been more than science; actually he studied the subject thoroughly to find out more about this to guide and counsel others.
This young Bengali astrologer in Delhi has a family tradition of astrology. But his fascination for the subject is so strong that he has become a perfect blend of astrologer, metaphysician, counselor and motivational speaker. He is all rolled into one, without probably himself realizing his all round area of expertise. A chance encounter through a common friend was filled with skepticism. And I must admit that I was determined to cross check his highs & depths, something that I normally do with astrologers without telling them how much I know about the subject.
It is here that I found Pradip Bhattacharyya to be different from the league. May be he is not professional enough to ask for money that adds to his charisma and persona. Even though some of my queries made him understand that I have some knowledge and command over the subject, the calm and composed astrologer had his business as usual. Of course, he admitted after convincing me and my queries that he had realized the amateur astrologer in me. Most of the practitioners in the trade today don’t have the required knowledge and depth over the subject and easily get agitated if ever get a client who is cross-questioning.
Pradip Bhattacharyya is different and was not agitated over once by the fact that there is somebody who is arguing with him over planetary transits and movements. He is the new breed of astrologers who has turned his childhood hobby into profession, something that he had never planned. But, as they say, stars have their own ways to determine the destiny of one and all. The young astrologer works as a content executive with a telecom company that provides astrology content to mobile companies.
In short, he is the man behind the SMS you receive in the morning predicting your future. And, mind you, writing daily scientific researched predictions in less than 100 words can be quite a challenging task. And convincing me has always been even more difficult, something that Pradip has done quite successfully. I am, no doubt, impressed. The question is whether you too believe in some stars and want to check out what is destined for you tomorrow. If yes, Pradip Bhattacharyya is the right person. Even if you are a so-called rationalist, try him out for once. Most of you won’t get disappointed.
Coming out of the University with hot blood and activist mind, it was always ideology grappling for facts and figure and it never went the other way round. Therefore, astrology, metaphysics or occult science was something that was always a subject to despise. Over a period of time, some interest in psychology, followed by parapsychology and struggle of cruel fate in the fast lane of metro forced me into looking for so many developments which failed to give any rational reasoning. The failure of logic and the so-called worldly wisdom further led me to delve deep into metaphysics and the result: I got introduced to astrology in an attempt to find answer too many of the questions that otherwise would have remained unanswered.
Still, it was more to do with astrology and occult sciences as the subject of academic interest than a guiding force. Some of the wrong predictions amidst many right ones made me believe that astrology is not a prefect science. This was till the time I met Pradip Bhattacharyya, for whom it has been more than science; actually he studied the subject thoroughly to find out more about this to guide and counsel others.
This young Bengali astrologer in Delhi has a family tradition of astrology. But his fascination for the subject is so strong that he has become a perfect blend of astrologer, metaphysician, counselor and motivational speaker. He is all rolled into one, without probably himself realizing his all round area of expertise. A chance encounter through a common friend was filled with skepticism. And I must admit that I was determined to cross check his highs & depths, something that I normally do with astrologers without telling them how much I know about the subject.
It is here that I found Pradip Bhattacharyya to be different from the league. May be he is not professional enough to ask for money that adds to his charisma and persona. Even though some of my queries made him understand that I have some knowledge and command over the subject, the calm and composed astrologer had his business as usual. Of course, he admitted after convincing me and my queries that he had realized the amateur astrologer in me. Most of the practitioners in the trade today don’t have the required knowledge and depth over the subject and easily get agitated if ever get a client who is cross-questioning.
Pradip Bhattacharyya is different and was not agitated over once by the fact that there is somebody who is arguing with him over planetary transits and movements. He is the new breed of astrologers who has turned his childhood hobby into profession, something that he had never planned. But, as they say, stars have their own ways to determine the destiny of one and all. The young astrologer works as a content executive with a telecom company that provides astrology content to mobile companies.
In short, he is the man behind the SMS you receive in the morning predicting your future. And, mind you, writing daily scientific researched predictions in less than 100 words can be quite a challenging task. And convincing me has always been even more difficult, something that Pradip has done quite successfully. I am, no doubt, impressed. The question is whether you too believe in some stars and want to check out what is destined for you tomorrow. If yes, Pradip Bhattacharyya is the right person. Even if you are a so-called rationalist, try him out for once. Most of you won’t get disappointed.
9:59 AM
Nurturing holistic development of children
Request by a journalist friend to meet an educationist working for kids and young adults was honoured by me like any normal invitation. To be honest, it was more to do with personal obligation than meeting or finding a platform to work for the social cause, so I thought. That is how I met educationist Chitra Awasthi and her organization, Rit International. Rit means truth in Sanskrit, and as the name itself indicates she set up this organization more as a cause and with a social purpose in mind. A strategic brand consultant in me never thought that it is not necessary to compete with the existing education in order to bring a meaningful reform. If there is a will, you can add value to the existing educational framework in the given society. What is all the more important is the fact that the society and educational institutions will be more than willing to accept and adopt you. A number of emerging replicas of this model is a testimony to the fact.
Of course, there has to be initial skepticism with many of the existing players feeling threatened. But the continued acceptance by the society only reflects the fact that there is absence of quality education in the country. More importantly, there is an urgent need to shape the young minds that are going to be our future. No wonder, the innovative approach in education management has driven Rit International to the forefront with various schools, institutions and children’s’ associations. However, and I must admit it honestly that as against the advice of TRACK2MEDIA as a strategic consultant, Chitra Awasthi has resisted the temptation to convert it into a business venture in the conventional term.
For Chitra Awasthi and her team of educationists Rit International has more to do with a mission than business vision. Actually, it was while working as consultant on various educational Programmes that she did realize the need to create a platform for the same purpose. Moreover, in a technology driven new India she also felt the need for an education management online programme to cater to the students, particularly the school kids.
In the kitty of TRACK2MEDIA it is interesting to have an organization where Vision and Mission Statement is derived from the social philosophy that every kid is special in his/her own unique way. And hence they believe in the holistic development of the child. More importantly, Rit International is a platform to provide academic and other creative avenues to each and every child, unlike some other platforms like the talent shows on various TV channels where it is meant for a select and privileged lot.
This is because Chitra Awasthi feels that unless we succeed in laying a solid foundation for all the children irrespective of the economic strata that they belong to, this sort of vacuum and demand-supply mismatch in education will always be there. The difference and the surprise package do not end here. Actually, in all their educational and other creative Programmes for the children and young adults, you will find a Brand Ambassador from the same age group only. Well, I am indeed impressed.
Of course, there has to be initial skepticism with many of the existing players feeling threatened. But the continued acceptance by the society only reflects the fact that there is absence of quality education in the country. More importantly, there is an urgent need to shape the young minds that are going to be our future. No wonder, the innovative approach in education management has driven Rit International to the forefront with various schools, institutions and children’s’ associations. However, and I must admit it honestly that as against the advice of TRACK2MEDIA as a strategic consultant, Chitra Awasthi has resisted the temptation to convert it into a business venture in the conventional term.
For Chitra Awasthi and her team of educationists Rit International has more to do with a mission than business vision. Actually, it was while working as consultant on various educational Programmes that she did realize the need to create a platform for the same purpose. Moreover, in a technology driven new India she also felt the need for an education management online programme to cater to the students, particularly the school kids.
In the kitty of TRACK2MEDIA it is interesting to have an organization where Vision and Mission Statement is derived from the social philosophy that every kid is special in his/her own unique way. And hence they believe in the holistic development of the child. More importantly, Rit International is a platform to provide academic and other creative avenues to each and every child, unlike some other platforms like the talent shows on various TV channels where it is meant for a select and privileged lot.
This is because Chitra Awasthi feels that unless we succeed in laying a solid foundation for all the children irrespective of the economic strata that they belong to, this sort of vacuum and demand-supply mismatch in education will always be there. The difference and the surprise package do not end here. Actually, in all their educational and other creative Programmes for the children and young adults, you will find a Brand Ambassador from the same age group only. Well, I am indeed impressed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)