Desperate Over News & News Culture

Media in the recent past has been too much accused and discussed for many reasons. Its integrity has always been questioned. However, its authenticity is a duty of thinkers, readers and buyers. We are very fortunate that in our country we are extremely interested in politics. The headline craze has brooked the credentials of a news paper. Every where we are talking just politics and nothing but politics since the Indian politics got attention from British Raj. Thus, in that sense our news papers are much more serious on the quotes, and much better comparative to other papers of the world. Second thing is that news papers or news does not mean only news; news has to have variety of segments. News does not mean only the national issues. News by itself is very rich in its nature; and anything that gives healthy entertainment and right education and inspires people to do better or asks the Government its accountability to do a better job. All these aspects constitute good journalism. My point however is that in the recent decades, the largest selling news papers actually sell news space at a price tag; the so called supplement is complete paid advertisement in the form of news. We should not follow western culture of journalism, there should be social control.

Generally news channels have a favorite quote, “If this is what people want to see, we are going to show”. Is that correct? Ethical or unethical no one knows. I think a viewer has choice, if he is not interested in what you are showing he can turn you off. We being politically hungry, there was a time when Indian youth was not at all interested in political development or politics of this country. But you look around now and you will find youth discussing politics and also has their own opinion to rise, and this is probably the impact of political coverage’s.

Today, it’s more of young media, young audience. Youth know their right to vote and they are keeping eye on good bad and ugly side of politics. If today we say media is aggressive, historic or ascertain issues, it’s because the youth is in position to say we understand the point what is one is trying to say. Earlier, we could see two people in the corner discussing politics in the in pale dim light and with bad picture quality of the national channel and no one was really bothered to look at those interviews or shows. Today, there is large participation in news based talk shows and discussions.

Now if you look at the tabloids, even they are aggressive. They are also into investigative journalism. Somewhere down the line, the tabloid is much better than hydro media nowadays. It’s not only hydro media which talks about serious issues such as poverty, fertilizations, but also widely published in other publications too. Everyone wants to know about fashion, cooking, films, party, Page three, Derby and race course activities. Nothing is farmed and limited to particular segment of news print. Sometimes you are kind, unkind, avarice and aggressive for that your magazines and news papers should reflect that plethora of interest and different registers in which we all live. Music, arts cinema gossips all that has its relevant space in the news print. What we are talking about is appetite, courage and willingness required for which we will go for money and power in its best ways.

When Anna Hazare was on agitation, none of the channels dared to show Salman Khan’s bare body or Shahrukh khan’s hyped coverage. The subject had its own relevance and consistency. Some times during dry days when there is nothing much to show, no news or scandals to expose, then the TV channels has to focus on Shahrukh Khan or Amitabh Bachchan to entertain their viewers. The news has to be relevant and worth grabbing the attention of readers or viewers. There are occasions when there is nothing happening and hence one need to find alternative by any means. News is all about analysis and paralysis; at times we see TV shows discussing all irrelevant talks which don’t create an impact on anyone. However, this happened mostly in the olden days which was old fashioned and dull without any interactivity and pep in it.

When it comes to paid news, even today the regional news papers has no courage to speak against government; there is a silent understanding between the management of the news paper and authorities that not to go against each other. If gone against government then the solution is its closure. Many such bold news papers had to shut down their shop for writing against government. Many prospered by supporting and promoting and being mouth piece of state governments or Chief Ministers. In north India, this kind of news culture is quite aggressively witnessed. There is a large section of media especially if we go in the rural areas, or to be specific local media, its journalists are acting like blackmailers. Now obviously the ethics and morality has taken a back seat there. Let us not stigmatize small media but there are blackmailers in small media as well as in the national media. It won’t be wrong to say that blackmailers are everywhere.

There are many regional papers that can be termed as the best examples for honest journalism but unfortunately they did not survive. Why? They would not have died if would have grown on at a sub regional level. You take the examples of one of the leading Hindi newspapers; they are publishing sixty three editions for this country. It has tried to reach almost every district and state. Many a time’s media has crossed its ethical boundaries. These are hypnosis views about ethical and unethical journalism. Media is introducing itself too much into people’s private like. The biggest example is Tehelka. They used prostitutes to pose as arm dealers and got into defence boundaries, but it was in the public interest. Liked by many and condemned by large. Sometimes some media feels its ok going beyond the normal parameters of ethics. If there is appetite in media I would say all is fair if it’s done in the public interest. Anyways today we have more stringent rules and regulations even on media.

Journalists has to raise their voice on unethical practices saying no to even their own bosses, managements and pay masters, by challenging all of them. Some times it’s very much interference and journalist cannot really execute their freedom to live in ethical frame. Media in India is sometimes constantly under accusations. They are related with one or other political parties, if you say good about Congress then you are connected to BJP and if you stand by BJP then you are accused of being bought by Congress. And if you stand in between, then you are accused of being paid by some third party or both the parties will attack you. The general assumption is that media and party are sold out in the country.

It other ways finance is one of the biggest aspect of media. Small town or state level media is actually controlled by political parties and it’s very direct while on national levels it’s indirect. It’s difficult for working journalists to understand how they are directly and indirectly controlled by political parties. Actually journalists must assert themselves, and today common people are scrutinizing media much more, the mouth full is mouth shut. There is no doubt media has become powerful and that’s why everyone wants to control them. The debate over ethics is rudimentary. Now a day’s ethics deals with the silences of authorities. It’s time to revolt within us, but that’s not in the hands of journalists actually.

Tabloids Journalism- a different charm

Today I saw the status message written by Vikram Chandra which read: Too much tabloid material? Too much “judge jury and executioner" activism? Falling credibility? Bias? Or is the media doing just fine?

This was quite hilarious to read. We have two types of newspapers, one broadsheet and the other tabloid. Tabloid newspapers are those having pages half the size of those of a standard newspaper, typically popular in style and conquered by headlines, photographs, and sensational stories. In the sense that is light, quick and often amusing. However, it’s full of gossips. Tabloid journalism requires humor and special skills to analyze the story. Actually the broadsheet newspapers get published early in the mid night and reach the stalls in the morning, whereas most of the tabloids reach stalls during the time of tea break. Generally most of the news is published in broadsheet newspapers and hence the readers expect some follow ups of the stories or something light to read during tea time with puzzles, crosswords, sudoku, columns and juicy news. I remember when I switched my job from Free Press Journal (broadsheet paper) to Afternoon (tabloid). It was every day’s challenge for me to create news looking at them in different fashion. In India we have thousands of journalists working at broad sheet desks but it’s rare to have skills potential as Tabloid culture. I feel blessed because I could get an opportunity to work at both the sides, but to be honest; working for tabloid was a real tough job.

When I was working at Afternoon Despatch and Courier as a journalist, my senior asked me to make a lead story on Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Maharashtra. I made news as she visited the place, met all ministers and blah-blah-blah...My editor Mobin rejected the story and gave me a good lecture. Finally he understood my problem that I was not well versed with the tabloid culture. He walked out of the office to smoke. The deadline for submitting the lead story was nearing and hence there was loads of pressure among all of us and even Mobin. Although he was tensed, at the same he was relaxed. I have a habit that whenever if anyone rejects my work or are not satisfied with my duties, then I make it a point to learn and understand from the aging confidence of my seniors. And for that no matter how much humiliation and hierarchy I have to face. We all need reason to love something and no reason to hate anything and everything. This is what the biggest setback of human nature. There are many journalists chocked due to lack of guidance at premature level, many grown out of nothing and few fought the odd and made their way to peak.

Anyways I went out to him and asked, “Sir tell me how to make interesting lead when there is nothing beyond what I have written.” He was enjoying puffs. Looking at me he asked, “Where was this minister? Where was that officer?” We had a very funny conversation and while talking I just told him, “Sir today CM went to Spa and groomed himself because Madam was visiting them. Everyone was looking good, groomed and well dressed.” And then there was a spark in Mobin’s eyes. He just tapped on my head and said let’s make the lead. I was surprised to see his reaction, and followed him to desk. He made the story and gave a big headline “Ministers Visited Spa and parlors to impress Madam” and a nice cartoon was prepared representing madam standing with all hunks around trying to impress her.

Oh my god, it was such a hilarious story and made everyone laugh. Entire desk was happy and I was very joyful as it was my by line on front page. I was amazed. My happiness knew no boundaries at that time. Then he explained me the art of tabloid journalism and writing. Basic thumb rule of this journalism is to give a story out of actual story but maintaining its authentication.

Next Day I went to the court because Sadhvi Pragya Singh and Maria Susairaj were supposed to be brought for trial. That day my way of looking at stories was completely different. Every news headline had the same story about they been brought to court and what was judge’s verdict and defence statements. The news started flashing on news channels. There was no angle remained to flash.

I reached desk, analyzed the entire situation and recollected the scenario. When they both were brought to court, that time Maria and Sadhvi Pragya Singh were smiling and they were escorted by so many police officers. Both were looking gorgeous and relaxed. I asked for pictures to my camera man, made head line “laughing at law” and gave big happy picture of them on front. My editor was very happy; his reaction to my story was like an award to me. Next day we got lots of feedback, my stories got noticed, people started reading my work and I got acknowledged. For one long year from 2008 to 2009, I ruled the front page with my by lines. However, this displeased many of my peers. Since to be on front page is a dream of every reporter, they were unhappy that somewhere I surpassed them. Comparatively, I could learn the basics of tabloid culture a little faster then others. I got promoted, got handsome pay package. With lots of liking form readers, I became the favourite of management and senior editor. I used to feel special, and that’s the reason when I was promoted as City Editor at such young age, many old Sub Editors were due for promotion started going against me. They blogged, complained, wrote anonymous letters to management, gossiped about me. I don’t blame them; they did it out of insecurity and frustration. When they blogged against me, I would have gone legal but my granny told me keep this as example, channelize your anger in right direction. Leave them, at their old age they have no other option to attack your integrity, you have long way to go. She was right I just neglected it and walked my way.

Anyways today I own same name and banner Afternoon, and that too is a tabloid. Today, I can even boast saying that we are the only parallel media house. There is no substitute to sincere efforts, and it’s not necessary that people will always praise you. This is competitive world; if one encourage you then ten will be standing to chop your legs. You have to balance in odd and even. Media has equal amount of fame and defame.

The Sun, The Daily Mirror, The Daily Star, blitz on Sunday, Mumbai Mirror, Mid day are few famous tabloids across the globe, which has fascinated me the most. Good tabloid editors expand upon small news items that appear in the back pages of broadsheet newspapers. In fact, one of the notable differences between a tabloid newsdesk and one at a serious newspaper is that tabloid journalists don't go much outside the office on field. Once a desk finds a story that can be twisted, he calls his sources family members or authorities involved with the story to get quotes. Using those quotes, the writer can make headline out the story and make it more about the people involved than the events themselves. This is a feature of the tabloid writing style. Celebrity news is a tack of the tabloids, and sources are the vital factor of this side journalism. Each tabloid journalist maintains an army of sources, including police Havaldar, informers,security guards,stylists, PRO,personal drivers and even corporate officers who will call the writer whenever they have new information to flash. Some times these informants are paid various amounts for their information, depending on the quality of the news and which celebrity it involves.

Coming to Tabloid journalism, earlier it was called yellow Journalism. But gradually, while the society became more permissive and paparazzi started ruling, it gained legitimacy and got the new term as Tabloid Journalism. It can be anything, from a rape to murder, to celebrity to politician to anything and everything. However, it has strong rules and regulations over ethics and morality.

Let me reply Vikram Chandra’s status message: Too much tabloid material? YES now even electronic media is very much believing in Tabloid culture because viewers enjoy something beyond news value. If you want to read follow ups and don’t want to be bothered too much over news, news and news; then Tabloid is the best solution and time pass material for you.