Importance of media and work ethics

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The importance of the media and work ethics

By: Donn Morgan Kipgen *

The general media of Manipur have unceremoniously come in for a big stick lately for unpleasant reasons. The image of the State media is not at its brightest moment; nothing flattering to write abroad about. The latest winding punch below the belt came when a senior journalist (Chief of Bureau, Poknapham Manipuri daily) was shockingly SMS'd with a couple or three near lethal rounds of pistol, unawared.

Recently, an I-card holder media boy, with a past antecedent, was shot dead by Imphal West police and a sleek 9mm hand gun was also recovered from him; not just pen and paper. That's as shocking as anything could be.

And not so long ago, three State SF personnel had to be promptly suspended during the volatile anti-AFSPA days when a senior scribe got himself at the wrong place, at wrong side, at the wrong time without carrying the mandatory credentials. Actually he unprofessional fixed himself at a real spot of bother, thereby unwittingly inviting the wrath of overstretched rampaging jawans.

A senior MPS was also brought to the dock and swiftly 'disciplined' as a result of an unfortunate pell-mell baton-charge during a dark night violent agitation. The media boy had evidently tried to cover the lathi charge from a wrong position. There was no way to clearly differentiate one particular civilian from another during the height of a violent mob.

Fortunately, the media boys are always right since they all are the much respected 'untouchables' ever since the Prophet Moses released his Ten Commandments. The general media have always been the backbone of all civilisation and the unifying forces of the ever growing modern civilised world. All accounts of history have been written on the basis of its contemporary media establishment. So, what on earth could we do without newspapers, magazines, journals, book, radio and TV? Back to the past, wouldn't we?

The general media had inspired the historical French and Russian Revolution, the American war of Independence, etc. and also brought up and down military regimes, tyrants, dictators, despotic monarchies etc. Everything depends on media power. The media boys are the warriors of truth, honour, justice and liberty.

No revolution, unity and administration can survive without the blessings of the popular media and vice-versa. A contrasting marriage of two independent minds made on earth without mutual attraction but with close interactions. In short, a professional mutual exploitation without foul means.

This is a summarised fact pertaining to status and existence of the popular media. Keeping this overwhelming responsibilities and honourable status in mind, all media personnel and professional writers must have to uphold the universal sanctity to the fullest. The all-important professional work ethics of journalism are the key-stones which have always laid proud foundations stones of the ageless general media that stoutly withstood the onslaughts of all hostile elements through-out historical test of time.

Hence, what have woefully befallen upon the much harassed State media fraternity very lately need to be methodically examined with an open mind, without any prejudice and partiality. With this earnestly sincere initiative for an open shake down after an independent probe to all media-related transgressions over the last 5 years or so, there is no denying fact that things would get to worst.

And worser still, it could become a writer's 'worsest' nightmare - a hidden claymore land mine. The writing's on the bloody wall and surely speaking somethings got to give, either way it wouldn't be pleasant matters. But there is always a room for improvement if there is will and accountability.

There is no better time to save the popular image of the State (guided) media, taking into account the gloomy situation. Any 'all-cleared out' pretentious mentality would bring more and more trouble than ever before. The ageless adage, 'Prevention is better than cure' is not just a medical wisdom. It is an universally applicable truth to media fraternity and law enforcement agencies.

It is much better to prevent or foil a criminal activity with no victim rather than launch a massive and costly investigation after a crime is committed. Likewise, the media establishment ought to make sure that the press is clean, safe and respectable in the eyes of the law and the general public (read: common readers and intellectuals).

After all, impressive headlines, news items, articles, etc have always been provided by the law enforcement agencies and the PIB to the media boys for daily newspapers and TV news networks for hungry news readers. Like it or not, there is no room for school boys' excuses - revealing informations really bite, very hard at that.

The present day State or local media is wrought with incredible uncertainties and boundless (im)possibilities. Besides, there is a lack of esprit d' corps, professional respect and the vital aspect of journalistic integrity, i.e lack of direct communication system amongst all the media personnel or institutions.

A united entity is always a lethal force to reckon with. Just imagine if only all, yes, all the media personnel and writers/ journalists in the State of Manipur could come together as one, penned to the teeth. Well, it could not only clipped the wings of Col. Mann Singh's high-flying 21 Paras (SF) and overthrow the money-powered regime of the weeping Ibobi's Govt. It can also extinguish 'the electricity dept candle manufacture nexus'. It can do just about everything except permanently stay united as one lighting force.

News coverage is the most delicate and risky business. Especially in a highly sensitive or bloody incident, a news reporter have always three or more versions to deal with- official report, family version and eyewitness statements, contradictory most of the times. The hard-pressed editorial staffs have to sort out the full details and print one single incident as one acceptable single news reports, without having to ruffle any feathers.

Sometimes, factual informations are hard to come by and sometimes no co-operations at all from any source. Newsworthy incidents did happen but did not happen officially at all in some 'sensitive or confidential issue'. This is the media boys worst professional case scenario.

In addition to this problem, journalists have to give acceptable balance in their write-ups. As the indespensible fourth estate, the eyes and ears of the citizens, the media boys must not be too direct presumptuous and partial. Questionable terms, words and phrases must have to done away with.

All informations and case-points must also have cross-checked and properly confirmed before printing since all the details written are usually used by readers as usable references. Whatever written or printed is usually taken as an open truth by readers.

Journalists and writers should always add some kind of general knowledge and factual informations for the benefits of young scholars. Anything too graphic or personal is not taken well by the majority. Impartiality, simplicity and truthfulness are the Alpa and Omega of professional journalism.

Balance and impartial news coverage with equal presentation is still lacking in this part of the world. One more important ethical factor is the media-interaction with the second and third parties. Close interactions with UG outfits and law enforcement agencies must have to be strictly professional and not personal. Many unpleasant cases have regularly come up when an unwritten line had been crossed.

In fact, the present day professional relationship between media personnel and UG militants and also with SP personnel have been must too close for comfort. A strict dressing down in accordance with professional work ethics is needed.

As a matter of fact, media boys have no friends or foes, just sources and subscribers personal character is not that much important but professional character, records and ideology are very important. What is most important for the media personnel is to do the job in the right manner at the right time with a right purpose.

On the other hand, both the UG militants and SF personnel need to know that all their ideals and achievements are fed dutifully to the general public by the media. Citizens' hearts are either won or lost by the influences generated by the media personnel.

Without the media, no UG outfits nor any achievement of CI Ops would be known by the general public. They just can't live without the media in as much as a kingdom cannot survive with a king and his army and subjects. To challenge the integrity of the media is rather quixotic, but never exotic.

Government may come and go, promises may be made and broken but the media boys shall go on working and laughing. Boy, what a life!!

Donn Morgan Kipgen wrote this article for The Sangai Express.
This article was webcasted on March 10th, 2006

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