TODAY -

Expunging ill-feeling : 'Soul search' a must for media
"School master cannot be a good journalist"

Nirendra Dev *



Commencing October as we mark the onset of autumn, India enters into festival season. The period involves Durga Puja, Diwali and ultimately Christmas and Happy New Year. Ideally, this should be the time when ill-feeling and rancour ought to be expunged from the soul. Well, as human beings it is not possible. This festive season I thought of some soul-searching --- gazing in my own heart.

Journalism in India - if one trusts V S Naipaul - has been a clerical pursuit. Sometimes this clerical approach is done with precision. Reporters in big bureaux and big cities fight it over 'beats'. I often say, we journalists often behave like beat constables.

For instance, a Chief Minister dies in a road accident and you are an eye witness; should you leave it for the beat 'constable' aka reporter to report ? More 'average' stuff the guy is intellectually, the more strictly religious he/she would be about these fuss. So a hardworking and 'over sincere' journo would be advised even to curb "your enthusiasm".

In Mumbai sports journalism, a senior colleague once lamented, "throughout the year you slog like a donkey, but the moment Olympic or World Cup cricket is around, you will find the big donkey in the office has decided to send a huge donkey to cover it". This is related to junkets and foreign trips. This is a very delicate area in Indian journalism.

No friendship, no sincerity and being passionate about the job helps. Delhi's well-known 'Jugad' helps. It is worse in small cities and regional newspapers. You will find the newspaper owner (once it was a Guwahati episode) or the owner's son traveling abroad with the Prime Minister or someone like that!

Half the journalists are displeased with PM Narendra Modi as he has kickstarted a totally new phenomenon and there is no free lunch, drinks and junkets now. There are a few northeast experts in Delhi. Their knowledge about the region would leave people in shock. " .... the entire north east India is matriarchal...," one expert would say!

Move over, once I met one such 'news agency' guy who said -- "I also know the north east very well, I have been to that region". As an ill-informed idiot from the region, I asked innocuously, "where did you go?". Then came the Delhi-variety of response - "I have been to Kishanganj ''. Foolishly, I said, that's in Bihar!

If you or your family is in Delhi for a long, chances are that the kid may pick up the Delhi-style. The response from the 'self-styled northeast expert' was --- "All trains to northeast go via Kishanganj ''. There is another more fundamental thing about Indian English journalism. It may be called 'Indllsh'.

Of course, there are opportunities when 'liberty' is taken with headlines. And on this, I am always with the Sub-Editor or senior fellows on the desk. Some lovely headlines have come in Journalism -- because people took liberty for the pun. L K Advani's visit to Pakistan in 2005 and his comments on Jinnah was reflected well in 'The Asian Age' headline -- 'Jinnah Partitions BJP'.

In the 1980s and 1980s, Late J N Chatterjee worked with 'The Nagaland Times'. A typical old school gentleman, once he shouted at a friend (who tried to be over smart with his Wren and Martin Grammar book knowledge).

"Every school master in the town cannot be a good journalist". Some of us enthusiastically told him(1993) - "Sir, you deserve Plaza noodles or Apna Hotel Samosa". But Indlish is also a 'disease'. The Articles 'A, An and The' never did justice to Indians or vice versa.

There's also a problem with words like 'Noted'. Often we use it liberally for 'said' -- which is not correct English.

"Note as a synonym for Said, where do they get this conviction from," wrote Jyoti Sanyal for 'The Statesman' on April 23, 2000. Interestingly, I was with PTI those days and even the so-called 'book reviews' by the premier agency used to be written - the book 'said', the author 'noted', he 'added' style !

On the use of 'noted' wrongly -- 'The Statesman' article had said -- "That absurd....can only leave the reader wondering whether the speaker (VIP in his speech) had choked when he was speaking; so that the reporter recorded the only bits he heard with 'said' and 'noted'." There can be another instance of a phrase -- "both parties did not have a moral right to raise the issue".

Sanyal in 'The Statesman' piece had observed -- "Since few journalists in India's English-language papers have a better acquaintance with English than the average lower-division clerk, it would be too much to expect them to expect to understand the absurdity in 'both parties did not have'.".

"Journalists -- are we keep.....?"

The writing style definitely makes a difference. Perhaps the line 'Continuing violence in the city left 12 more people dead' may be avoided. Perhaps the better line with 'more info' for readers would be - 'Violence sparked off by the murder of a 65-year-old pensioner raged for a second day, leaving 12 more people dead'.

In the film 'The Kashmir Files', the protagonist journalist tells a former top cop : "You were given Padma Shri, so that you remain silent". In turn, the retired police officer - frustrated - says, "When we police have to arrest a well known terrorist or a criminal, first we try to find who is the keep or mistress (the Hindi word used is Rakhel) of that criminal. Do you know who these people are, these media people".

I was in an Old Delhi cinema hall watching the movie with my teenage daughter. She laughed out loud. That was fictional but that's one crucial face of Indian journalism as well. It is fashionable to ridicule the government authorities or security forces.

Corruption has been a way of life in insurgency-hit Nagaland and writing about the fungus of corruption. M J Akbar had once written - "In Nagaland, government payment is made for works done (about contractors) in heaven (meaning previous life)".

Akbar had his own style. "Bengal is famous for the magic of its women and the sweet tooth of its men …. The Bihari tooth is different," wrote Akbar – himself a Bihari - in one of his best selling non-fictions 'Blood Brothers – A Family Saga'.

Among the celebrity editors, Khushwant Singh had a fan following in Nagaland as well. Once S C Jamir as the Chief Minister made him a special guest. I had interviewed Khushwant Singh for the PTI Golden Jubilee of Souvenir in 1998 wherein he had said, "The Sahitya Akademi should be abolished".

He had said, "The Sahitya Akademi really does not serve anything purposeful ...Those writers who don't find publishers let them die". The old school in media always believed journalism is in 'reporter's or the editor's blood'. Training does not help.

Ideology also becomes an issue. Kuldip Nayar and Nikhil Chakravarty were eminent journalists clearly believing in the pro-Leftist ideology. M V Kamath, another top journalist, was well known for his right leaning. Kamath also called spade a spade.

In the book, 'Reporter at Large' he wrote: "There are three main charges against the western news agencies. One, they do not tell the whole truth, two, they deliberately mislead. And three, they do not report news of interest and significance to developing countries". Some of these vices apply to Indian journalists as well. But there are no Gods in journalism.

So the golden rule is journalists should not get overawed by anyone including most popular public leaders and even the Editor in the office. Anyone can tell a falsehood or commit mistakes. Sources are certainly 'human' and that includes Uncle Google. There is a need to cross check and ignorance is never a bliss.

Once a Mumbai journalist mistook 'Sanjay Dutt', a politician, for the actor and reported that the Congress party will field him. In 'Arushi murder case', Delhi and Noida journos and TV channels went ethically wrong when the 'minor' was identified. By law, one should not identify a rape victim and even the police cannot disclose her real identity.

During the Kargil conflict, one famous woman TV journalist screamed, "The Indian army will attack Tiger Hill tomorrow". That was an act of treason, but authorities forgot and forgave; but have we media persons learned anything ?

Reporting 'deaths' is the most difficult thing. Seven bodies taken away from a spot to a hospital does not mean - all are dead. One person might have been senseless for a while!


* Nirendra Dev wrote this article for e-pao.net
The writer is based at New Delhi and can be reached at nirendev1(AT)gmail(DOT)com
This article was posted on November 09, 2022.


* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.




LATEST IN E-PAO.NET
  • Violence in Manipur 2023-2025 : Timeline
  • Kainkhol wins best Social Message Film Award
  • Distortion of facts: Manipur sports movement
  • Govt services reach Manipur's tribal villages
  • 134th Durand Cup Trophies Flag Off
  • COVID-19: Update 05 July 2025 : Manipur
  • First-Ever Tripura Esports Championship
  • Konung Kang Chingba #1 : Gallery
  • Manipur Iskcon's 25th Ratha Yatra 2025
  • Native Threshing machine made for farmers
  • COVID-19: Update 04 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Riso Ejang: Youth-led Transformation
  • Include males too in addressing HPV
  • Whispers from the past :: Poem
  • LPU opens permanent outreach centre
  • Raj Bhavan moving on the right track
  • Speculations over PM Modi's visit to state
  • Colonial Knowledge Production in NE #7
  • Make Yourself Visible to Opportunity
  • Orange bowl: tradition with ecological wisdom
  • 10 ways to keep a kitchen garden disease free
  • Between PR, military mandates & AFSPA
  • Allocation fund for MLALAD Fund during PR
  • Denounces Killing of KNA Deputy C-in-C
  • COVID-19: Update 03 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Cases of fake Aadhaar cards
  • Sincere dealing must for stricter Aadhaar
  • Archaeology: Culture of Manipur : Booklet
  • Wanna be a singer? Get Botox
  • A Central institute in Manipur
  • Nagging in the name of love
  • COVID-19: Update 02 July 2025 : Manipur
  • 'Benefits' of Indira's Emergency
  • Social Stigma :: Poem
  • Inking a peace pact: Why, how: SoO quagmire
  • Van Mahotsav under shadow of declining forest
  • 11th Th Kishan Memorial Lecture : Gallery
  • Shinthoibi, Jangvei, Tamphaton : eMing
  • Manipur crisis & the Left media's blind spot
  • COVID-19: Update 01 July 2025 : Manipur
  • Bombom RK : Musclemania Universe NYC
  • The Grief :: Poem
  • Music Concert & Quiz (MCQ) 2.0
  • SoO agreement unlikely to be scrapped
  • Regulating use of plastic carry bags
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #4 : Gallery
  • International Day of Yoga @JNMDA : Gallery
  • BD Behring: The inimitable Gentleman I knew
  • Violence in the name of patriotism : Misguided
  • Daily oral vs long-acting injectable for HIV
  • COVID-19: Update 30 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Smile :: Poem
  • Why was President's Rule imposed ?
  • BJP under pressure to forge unity
  • Kang @Leikai in Imphal : Gallery
  • July Calendar for Year 2025 : Tools
  • COVID-19 : A recurring crisis in Manipur
  • DC Kaith and Forestry in Manipur : Book
  • COVID-19: Update 29 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Longing for Peace :: Poem
  • Black badge, slogan protest by peeved scribes
  • Present the true picture before Delhi
  • Pung-Cholom @ Polo Tournament : Gallery
  • Life: A Journey Through Thought & Being
  • Khongjai Hills & Kuki claim to indigeneity
  • Master Time by Managing Information
  • COVID-19: Update 28 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Pride & patriotism in CCpur's army families
  • The Power of Poppy - 87 :: Poem
  • World Decarbonisation Day: green environment
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #2 : Gallery
  • Loss of two precious lives from Manipur
  • Balancing civil liberties with public safety
  • COVID-19: Update 27 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Gender equality & human rights are indivisible
  • Stay hydrated this summer season
  • Silent Half of the Sun :: Poem
  • Connecting the dots in the wishlist
  • Assembly record tampering claims by ex-CM
  • The immortal legacy of Pukhramba Kajao
  • International Day against Drug Abuse 2025
  • COVID-19: Update 26 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Black pottery from Ukhrul - tribal heritage
  • Program on "Mission-Drug Free Campus"
  • Play makes a better world
  • Urgent Appeal to the Honourable MLAs
  • Tribal Empowerment Campaign at CCpur
  • Talk doing the round: PM to come
  • 'Emergency' relief for under-fire BJP
  • Golden Jubilee Art Fair @Imphal : Gallery
  • Declaration: Meetei People Convention, Delhi
  • A Flower Among the Rocks :: Review
  • Book Donation Campaign
  • Improved road connectivity boosts livelihoods
  • To Have Great Dreams :: Poem
  • COVID-19: Update 25 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Regret vs Sorry: Technical & moral insight
  • Cocktail of inept Govt, selfish people
  • State trailing others in cleanliness
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #6
  • UHI effect & rising temperatures in Manipur
  • Frequent road blockades cripple economy
  • COVID-19: Update 24 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Unite Health with Community health services
  • NSU, Imphal, tops IIRF Ranking 2025
  • Endless conflict :: Poem
  • Pak nobel pish prize for Trump
  • May 3, 2023 - June 24, 2025: Failure of Delhi
  • Hotter days, sudden rainfall no more a rarity
  • "The Great June Uprising" #2 : Gallery
  • How to Build a Career, Lead with Purpose
  • 2nd Foundation Day- Karnataka Meitei Assn
  • COVID-19: Update 23 June 2025 : Manipur
  • NSCN-IM Amnesty threatens to isolate it
  • Sunset :: Poem
  • Intl Yoga Day for a healthier environment
  • Of clogged drains and plastics
  • Poor roads testify Govt indifference
  • Welcome Home - Nganthoi #1 : Gallery
  • The Silent Erosion of Manipuri Language
  • Design health services around people
  • Serene Hills Host Inspiring Int'l Yoga Day
  • COVID-19: Update 22 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Chopper services between Senapati & Imphal
  • High Court Judges interacted with convicts
  • Redyeing the Fabric :: Poem
  • Differences yet to be resolved stand
  • Border fencing rage as solution eludes
  • Radio E-pao: 14 new songs updated
  • Climate Adaptive Agroforestry
  • Manipur overlooked demographic shifts
  • Young designers shine on Fashion Stage
  • COVID-19: Update 21 June 2025 : Manipur
  • International Day of Yoga at Lamphelpat
  • International Day of Yoga at JNMDA
  • The Power of Poppy - 86 :: Poem
  • Keishampat Lairembi Haraoba #1 : Gallery
  • Crisis in Manipur's Contemporary Education
  • Best 8 Performances in Manipuri Cinema
  • Identity: Caught between China & India ?
  • COVID-19: Update 20 June 2025 : Manipur
  • To The Father Who Listens :: Poem
  • How does net suspension affect youths ?
  • Targeting farmers to cripple state's economy
  • The virus is back and spreading
  • Who is afraid of Manipur ?
  • A threatened lily growing at Shirui Hills
  • World Environment Day in Manipur : Gallery
  • Ambubachi Mela at Maa Kamakhya
  • COVID-19: Update 19 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Dolls made from repurposed vegetable refuse
  • Condemns Attack on Farmer & Killing
  • Abhorrent politics of SoO
  • Police arrogance on harmless drivers
  • "The Great June Uprising" #1 : Gallery
  • Solution from Buddhist & Jain perspectives
  • AI sparks employment concerns in Manipur
  • Greatest Foe :: Poem
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Kangpokpi
  • Call for Recognition of a 3rd Category of IDPs
  • Jun 18, 2001- May 3, 2023: Seed of violence
  • Contract scam in hill districts
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #5
  • Spaced Out - Panthung Di Kadaaida! : Rvw
  • Condemns the Killing of Abdul Qadir
  • COVID-19: Update 17 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Thoubal aspirant makes Manipur proud
  • Tamenglong hospital brings quality healthcare
  • Chief Justice at Relief Camp, Mayang Imphal
  • Kuki CM & Sixth Schedule
  • Selective protests, selective silence
  • Nailing the culprits need of the hour
  • UK Meetei diaspora run for Myanmar : Gallery
  • Erwin Khundrakpam : NEET-UG 2025 topper
  • Will we rise to #endAIDS challenge or stumble
  • COVID-19: Update 16 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Appeal to Prime Minister: Manipur Crisis
  • Urges Action on Misinformation
  • Condolences : 2 young cabin crew
  • Grateful To Be Alive :: Poem
  • Making bonfire on the roads
  • Aggression yet again, inspite of playing victim
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #2 : Gallery
  • Zomia, geopolitics, & the struggle for unity
  • COVID-19: Update 15 June 2025 : Manipur
  • Condolences : Demise of 2 Manipuri Girls
  • Manipur unites in grief after Air India tragedy
  • Hail arms recovery as step toward peace
  • Cleanliness Drive at JNIMS Campus
  • Global Wind Day for a clean environment
  • First came the rain, then the heat
  • Rise in Covid-19 cases
  • Thang-Ta Day @Khuman Lampak #3 : Gallery
  • Meetei diaspora in UK runs for Myanmar victim
  • Manipur empower children with disabilities
  • COVID-19: Update 14 June 2025 : Manipur
  • World Blood Donor Day 2025
  • The Power of Poppy - 85 :: Poem
  • A Northeast Gin Makes Its Mark
  • Mera Houchongba @Kangla #3 : Gallery
  • Saluting Nganthoi, Lamnunthem : Joining hand
  • Condolence : Nganthoi & Lamnunthem
  • 50 years of Pebet #2 : Gallery
  • Indo-Naga Talks (From 2012) :: Timeline
  • Colonial Knowledge in NE India #4
  • Namphake Monastery @ Dibrugarh : Gallery
  • Protest @Checkon -AT arrest [Jun 9] : Gallery
  • Protests - AT arrest [Jun 8 night] : Gallery
  • Aftermath of flooding @ Khurai #1 : Gallery
  • /li>
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #2 : Gallery
  • North East NSS Festival @ MU : Gallery
  • 27th Meira Paibi Numit : Gallery
  • Trump's tariff legacy & its global echo
  • Flooding at JNIMS Hospital #1 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #3 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #2 : Gallery
  • Flooding Imphal East [31 May] #1 : Gallery
  • S Nirupama @Miss Universe : Gallery
  • Protesters to Raj Bhavan [May 25]: Gallery
  • Human Chain @Airport road [May 26]: Gallery
  • Miss Shirui Pageant Contestant: Gallery
  • 48 hrs Bandh: protest security forces: Gallery
  • Protest Rally: Journalist harassment: Gallery
  • HSLC 2025: Full Result (Check Roll No)
  • HSLC 2025: Important Info & Grading System
  • HSLC 2025 : Compartmental candidates
  • HSLC 2025 : Comparative Statement
  • HSLC 2025 : Statistical Abstract
  • HSLC 2025 : District Pass Percentage
  • HSLC 2025 : Govt School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Aided School Pass %
  • HSLC 2025 : Private School Pass %
  • People's Convention on 3rd May #2 : Gallery
  • Featured Front Page Photo 2025 #2: Gallery
  • Riya Khwairakpam : HSE Science Topper
  • Keisham Hannah : HSE Arts Topper
  • Warepam Lidia : HSE Commerce Topper
  • HSE 2025 Result : Science Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Arts Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Result : Commerce Full Result
  • HSE 2025 Information / Abbreviation
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Science
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Arts
  • HSE 2025 Topper : Commerce
  • HSE 2025 : Pass Percentage
  • HSE 2025 : Result Abstract
  • HSE 2025 : Candidates with Highest Marks
  • Ougri Lirol :: Part 1 : Ooba Video
  • President's Rule in Manipur : 1967 - 2025
  • Downloadable Manipuri Calendar :: 2025