I remember my dad saying “Back in days, we read news reports which had in-depth analysis of the whole issue. There was no opportunity to question. ” I wondered how true it is. I recently went through original works of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, Investigative journalists from “The Washington Post”, online. I was shocked to see how detailed and organized the investigation of the break in of Democratic National Committee’s Watergate building was not only done but reported. These journalists uncovered information suggesting that the knowledge of break in and cover up led deep into the justice department, FBI, CIA and even White house. This eventually led to resignation of the then US President Richard Nixon.
Think about it. A reportage which was well organized, analyzed and in-depth led to resignation of the country’s president. Now THAT’s the power of Journalism.
Let’s take an example which is closer home. Remember the “EMERGENCY” of late 1970’s in India? The emergency which lasted for 21 months. The then President of India Frakhruddin Ali Ahmed upon advice by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a state of emergency. Elections and all civil liberties were suspended, including Free Press. Did this stop the “Real” Journalists? Hell no. They still wrote discreetly; reported events secretly; gave important information to public. All this with no exception in the analysis or depth of the story.
Look at the print media today. We have news articles. Oh yeah, We certainly do. So- called “News” articles. Let’s ask ourselves a few questions.
a) Did the article make sense?
b) Was the article “newsworthy”?
c) Was reporting it necessary?
d) Was it well analyzed?
e) Did it have depth to it?
For most of the “news articles”, the majority of answers are a big NO.
I first thought it was just with Tabloids like Mumbai Mirror which report really queer stuff. Who’s dating whom in Bollywood, the most grotesque incident from your neighborhood, scientific facts which are really interesting but hard to find sources. Tabloids are famous for such stuff. Why shouldn’t they be? After all, we love to read such stuff! Right?
The “Real” journalists today are writing shallow, most of them, with almost no depth in their work. The reporting is very superficial and sensationalism is the new trend. They write about politicians and politics, actors and cinema, food and wine, love and relationships. But, where is the “Depth”?
Like I mentioned before, I could all blame it on two factors – “Ethics” and “Responsibilities”.
“Ethics” is what most journalist lack today. Although most of the journalists who come from journalism schools are taught “Media ethics”. But, then what about the rest, they too have ethics right? Lets just say, we all are slowly losing our so-called “Ethics”.
Next comes “Responsibilities”. Yes, the journalists have responsibility towards the society – report events as they happen, unbiased and untouched, with thorough analysis and dept to it. But, it’s not just the journalists’ responsibility. It’s also the responsibility of the common man to make sure Press is free and fair. It’s their responsibility to make sure the journalists’ reportage is well analyzed and the topic of discussion is not random.
I wonder if this is the condition of the news media today, what it would be tomorrow?
I am pretty sure that “ETHICS” and “RESPONSIBILITIES” would be almost, if not completely, erased from a journalist’s dictionary.
If so then, God only can save us from the impending doom.
Sanjay Deshpande.
