Journalism they say is "literature written in a hurry". The comment is attributed to British poet and cultural critic Mathew Arnold. It takes a bit of research to find out that there are doubts as to whether the 19th Century sage writer really made the comments attributed to him.
Irrespective of whether Arnold made these comments or not, there is a qualitative difference between journalism and serious academic and reflective writing. When I joined the Press Trust of India (PTI) in Delhi, one of the editors, Arun Kumar told us that the language used in news reports should be such so as to make it clear and interesting even to a person travelling in a crowded train in Mumbai.
Do clarity and making things interesting oversimplify the subject?
I have no clue and there are differences in opinion on this. After having spent two decades in journalism, it seems that journalists generally are in the habit of thinking very high of themselves. Does this sense of self-importance evolve from their intellectual prowess or their ability to grasp and analyse very quickly or efficiency to simplify things or for going places and rubbing shoulders with the powerful?
Again, I don't have any definite answer, but a good friend of mine from my school and college days who was also my colleague briefly in a newspaper once jocularly retorted that "we reporters are nothing but a bit more respected porters." The comment made in lighter vain was not intended to depict any disrespect for those who serve the society by carrying out heavy and difficult manual jobs with ease and efficiency but only to self-asses a profession one was in.
When I first joined journalism by chance, a few years after my friend did, I was inclined to be a reporter as well. It was not only because of a desire to have many bylines - as it is the usual practice that reporters get bylines and the sub-editors and others at the news desk do a thankless job and lead a life in anonymity - but also to be known by the people, develop contacts and be visible. This visibility, which initially makes one proud gradually gets transformed into a form of self-proclaimed power, often demonstrated by throwing one's own professional lot even to get personal things done without caring about their legal, ethical and moral implications.
It's not the reporter alone who is to be blamed. There are stories galore to prove that officials and those who matter succumb to someone flaunting his or her press card rather than attending a genuine cause. Such is the power of the media that even people with enormous influence believe that it can make and unmake careers. This power, if any, flows from the social perception that the media contributes hugely to build or break much sought after fame. In my journalistic career, I have come across many instances when people were right but floundered because the media portrayed the wrong thing.
It is this perception that is trying to paint a picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi being suspiciously silent about his plans and actions. Many are apprehensive that the man, who is perceived to be divisive, is silently executing his game plan, others think that once on the hot seat he is bewildered and doesn't know how to cope.
While it is the job of the journalists to be inquisitive, ask questions and reflect not only public opinion but also collective queries of the society, but the silence of the prime minister is increasingly making the media restive. Dr Manmohan Singh was also a man of few words, but the silence of someone known for his forceful articulation stuffed with conviction like Modi had bewildered the journalistic fraternity and his political opponents alike.
It is as if Modi is following in word and spirit the old adage that we have been taught in childhood - which says, the more you speak the more lapses you make and the more flaws you show. While political adversaries can't wait to find Modi on the wrong foot, the restlessness of the scribes emanates from a multiplicity of reasons.
Firstly, those sympathetic to the cause of the BJP in general and Modi in particular, and vociferously articulated their views from long before the general elections were expecting to be rewarded. Secondly, those who want to be close to the establishment irrespective of political and ideological affiliations to have a share of the goodies are desperate to start a channel of communication with the new prime minister and people close to him. Thirdly, those who are antagonistic towards the cause of the BJP and Modi want to put the prime minister under intense scrutiny and that is not possible without the Gujarat strongman being forthcoming in his interactions with the media.
The way in which Modi has shunned many publicity temptations has kept the media and various other operators wondering as to how to get closer to him and rub shoulders with people who matter. After all, being close and friendly with the powerful often serves a form of clientelism which is important in an age of crony capitalism.
From an etymological point of view, the primary work of a journalist is to collect information, verify and inform the consumers of news in a palatable way. The restlessness of the journalists following Modi's enigmatic silence is not so much for not being able to serve the consumers of news and more for being left out of the power matrix. Like many other operators, journalists who stroll in the corridors of power develop stakes and it is by no means easy to let it go by.
An academic friend of mine who is sympathetic to journalists is however, more generous in his views. He takes resort to the classical definition of civil society being an intermediary between the state and the individual. Journalists being part of the broader definition of civil society, my friend thinks that it's only fair that they try to build a bridge with the omnipotent Narendra Modi.
After all the significance of proximity can't be overlooked in defining power relations and influence flows from the omnipotent to those close to him or her.
Tirthankar Bandyopadhyay is a journalist and media consultant.
He can be contacted at tirthankarb@hotmail.com
All comments are personal.
