Can media bring about a change?
I sincerely thank you all for logging in and commenting (most thankfully) positively so far on this small effort of mine. Few have left questions too -- very encouraging for a first-time blogger. Here is a very thought provoking question that had me, well thinking for a while. “Almost every other student entering the field of journalism aims to bring a 'change' but finally lands up becoming a part of the rat race... sir,is there a solution to this dilemma?? At the risk of annoying many, I would like to agree with the supposition contained in the question, but also have to admit that this is more or less in tune with the general all round situation we see almost in every walk of life. Just like most of the young IAS probationers on training at Lal Bhadur Shastri Academy in Mussourie full of ideas and idealism, soon realise or made to realise the futility of it all and fall in line, sooner or later. But yes, even in bureaucracy there are men, and women too, of admirable qualities and with a toughness to do things they had wanted to before entering the service – of bringing about a change, how so little it might be. Henna’s pain seems quite genuine – and perhaps after spending some time in the profession – the realisation sinks in. It is just another profession after all and one has to get on with life. Ever since journalism transformed itself from a mission to a profession (in India, and perhaps elsewhere too) as it stands today, cut throat competition forces one into the rat race. Somewhere in the struggle to survive in the beginning to getting ahead, the new entrant loses track of one’s own aim that one set out into journalism. For it is very important to appreciate and understand who sets the agenda. We all then go onto work to make this agenda happen. If one’s objectives and aims dovetail into this agenda (it can be anything), one can be among the drivers of change. If not, sorry wrong number. Some enter journalism because of the glamour quotient, some for the power it confers on the professional and some to use this power to bring about a change. Despite the rat race of a cut-throat competitive profession media has become. It is undoubtedly doubly or manifold difficult to be able to be true to your ideals and achieve the satisfaction of having brought about a change. But yes, there are several examples of journalists soldiering on, against all odds, and making their ideas count. There are any number of instances when the media has brought about a change --- in governance and or making the governance delivery mechanism work. It is a losing battle so far, but development journalist and Rural Affairs editor, Hindu P Sainath has been battling against the unfair terms of trade against agriculture. His indepth, investigative and incisive reports from rural hinterland on a multitude of issues many not have led to their elimination. Yet. But surely his voice is being heard. By the people who matter. Why he is among the few journalists parliamentarians invited to address them on food security. Even if the MPs devote some time to think on what Sainath professes, he would have become an instrument of change. In the ultimate analysis, it depends on an individual self to be allowed to be consumed by the rat race culture that is dominating every profession, including journalism, and lose sight of ones objectives, even ones so noble as bringing about a change. Or the individual can make the difficult choice to go the hard way. Sainath is just one name. There are plenty who have not become as famous or as well known as he has become, but are quietly doing things that bring about a change – even as little as changing someone’s life through their writings or television footage. Every small motivational story one reads in the paper or watches on television touches the people’s lives and causes a change. May be Henna can now begin to breathe a bit easy. But only just, as the path is tough, tricky and treacherous. But the determined can still have it their own way. Ultimately it is a choice one will have to make. Like in any other profession. As confused as when you began to read this? At least I tried. Cheers, Lakshmana
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