Good Journalism! what is it?

I was watching the 'Ramnath Goenka memorial debate' on sunday and the topic for the debate was 'Is Good journalism bad business'? The panel consisted of distinguished editors of leading newspapers in India namely The Hindu, The Indian Express, The Times of India, The Hindustan Times. Further The debate hosts were Rajdeep Sardesai(CNN-IBN) and Barkha Dutt(NDTV 24X7). The audience consisted of politicians, writers, news anchors. U can watch the entire episode here:
http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/videos.aspx?id=15435&slug=Is+good+journalism+bad+business%3f

This topic has long been my wish to be discussed publicly and finally it has been put through. On a larger scale my question still remains as to what is the role of media in shaping the society. The society craves for information and why not its the age of 'Information' Technology!!! But does it comes at a cost and if yes at what? Does media,the context particular to the indian media, has to be glittery and glamorous as the Bollywood which looks like has lost the definition of movies and entirely rely on stupid and bizarre formulae to woo the general public. One of the questions rightly raised was 'Should TRP be a factor to decide whether a news channel is a favourite among the mass'. Lets face this, we are still a growing nation where thoughts and views change and its quite an arduous task to maintain a happy-everybody scenario. Now, shekhar gupta of the indian express said "you don't have to write for your mother because your mother will anyway like what you write instead try writing for your landlord". This is where you start writing for others and why not 'they' form the public and hence the market which decides the survival but is masala REALLY needed for a news considering the fact that we indians like Masala's anyway(you just can't eat pav bhaji with no masala in bhaji). A news media, be it print or TV, is meant to decipher information to the public and make them understand(if needed) the impact of it in their lives and the nation as a whole. Alright, you can cover the ash-abhi wedding or bipasha's kissing with christiano but does these supersede the other news related to the country? and moreover does it require a whole day broadcasting? Dont they find anything else. I used to watch CNN (i dont have that channel now here) and let me put it straight it far exceeds the quality in news and presentations with right amount. Well, people might argue thats its boring and as Mr.Ram of 'The Hindu' said "its an open world". No wonder why 'The Times of India' has become a good 'masala' newspaper. Its got everything one needs. National news, international (though more towards glam side), sport and exclusive supplement for page 3 lovers. Nonetheless, 'The Times of India' still remains my most hated newspaper but have to compromise when there is no other. The arguement can go on with each side putting across points in their favour but largely it remains that journalism is nascent and has a long way to go. The Honorable President of India, Dr. A. P. J. Kalam asked rightly the question 'Can Indian media be a part of Nation's development process'?

My B'day in the office!

yeah yeah! it was my b'day yesterday though the jubilation shown in the subject does not match with the time of writing this journal. Nonetheless. it was a funtoo time.

I had calls right from morning and maintaining through out the day. Further, i just hoped not many would know it in the first place in the office. I had imagined to silently slip by of any such activity that may render in losing my money (what do u say of a person who goes bankrupt 10 days from the next salary)and may i add the b'day bumps which i would have possibly received if it wasn't for the professional environment of the office. But there was an interesting development sometime later in the afternoon.

Coincidently, i should say (from my side), it was the b'day of the delivery manager of our unit. So, the team had arranged for the celebrations of his b'day (and not mine). Just before entering into the conference hall, a spark ignited in the brain of one of colleagues and certain activity in his mind brought to light it was my b'day too! and can anyone stop as to what happened next. Inspite of my denials of not letting my b'day out, he went on to share it with everybody. I was standing in one of the corners when everyone turned their head towards me. It felt as if a lone boy caught up with somekind of mischief rendered by him and everyone walking towards to hold him responsible (though they would never visualize that!!!). There was the other side though,i had to pierce through a small crowd with everyone extending their hands for wishes and that certainly was the incredible part. Now, the visualization turned to the one where an 'oscar' winning star is walking for his prize just to only be gulped down into the growling biological storage. yup the stomach and in case wondering what that is... the 50cmsX30 cms rectangular cream topped spongy delight called 'the cake'. The manager shook hands and congratulated me on marking yet another mile on the road to 'maturity' and undeniably a growing adult!!! The cake had his name and i was a little hesitant simply for the fact that the cake belonged to him and he had the entire right of cutting the cake and not me. The staff had organised everything for him with any but a slightest hint that another creature of this semi-heavan world who shared the same b'day. HE was kind enough to let me have the time to cut and the time ended up both of us cutting together. WHAT A TIME! it took me completely by surprise as nothing of this sort was expected by me. It was great! The 'award ceremony' ended with evryone having the cake and wafers all together and disappearing!!!.

There were my other friends in the unit who were equally angry that i never mentioned my b'day to 'em. One going to say 'U cannot share ur happiness with others'. Now, that did prick me a little because i never had in mind to enlarge a picture of b'day and not that i never wanted to share happiness. Nonetheless, i apologized in a way possible, maybe because i thought it was wrong not to have mentioned it to them.


It was a great day after all and more so when people whom u dont know end up wishing you and there you go....add another acquaintance who knows may go on to be a best friend.


On a wonderful day,

Shishir.nc


PS 1: I burned a hole in the pocket after my secret b'day got released for worldwide publication within the perimeters of the office.

PS2: A heartful Thank you to my colleague for announcing my b'day in a way unimaginable to me. Say one by one and then to all!

PS3: Please find the same at http://penmight.livejournal.com