DALEEL with SP SINGH, on hazards in journalism, social media versus mainstream media

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• published: 19 May 2016
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DALEEL with SP SINGH, on hazards in journalism, social media versus mainstream media On the panel - 1. Gobind Thukral, senior journalist, formerly with Indian Express, The Tribune, Desh Sewak etc 2. Sarbjit Pandher, senior journalist, formerly with Press Trust of India, The Hindu, The Sunday Guardian 3. Aarish Chhabra, senior journalist, Hindustan Times 4. Arjun Sheoran, lawyer, activist, PUCL spokesperson At a time when the country is discussing the attacks on journalists -- armed men shot dead News Bureau Chief of Dainik Hindustan Rajdev Ranjan in Siwan, Bihar while Akhilesh Pratap Singh, working for news channel, was shot dead by some unknown assailants in Chatra district of Jharkhand recently -- this episode of Daleel discusses whether the profession is becoming increasingly hazardous, should there be special laws to safeguard journalists, why are the governments not as eager to guarantee safety and security of scribes and whether people are rising to the defence of their eyes and ears. The Press Council of India has demanded a special law be enacted to ensure safety of scribes. Panelist Arjun Sheoran brings out the startling fact that in 96 per cent of cases of attacks against journalists, matter is not taken to logical conclusion, and quotes the chairman of the PCI on this. The chairman, by the way, is a former judge of the Supreme Court. Panelists focus on poor salary structures, dilution of the role of editor, toothlessness of PCI, need to sensitize civil society about dangers facing journalists, and the conditions in which the low paid stringer works in small towns and hinterlands, often the most vulnerable. It is he who faces the most risk. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), a global advocacy, called India “Asia’s deadliest country for media personnel, ahead of both Pakistan and Afghanistan”. India ranks 14th globally for impunity in murder cases against journalists, according to the CPJ impunity index. Also, death is not the only cause for concern for the Indian journalist. Human rights defenders, journalists and protesters continued to face arbitrary arrests and detentions. Journalist unions used to be powerful -- just as trade unions used to hold sway. That has changed, unions have been emasculated. Tamed. But there are also some other key issues. What about the cosy relationship between journalism and power? They want land and facilities for press clubs, free housing, bus passes, bank loans, insurance schemes. They are forever seeking concessions. Cosyness with power makes it difficult to raise voice beyond a press release, beyond a march to some governor's bhawan. Also, gun comes later. Fear comes even earlier. Not just the fear of the gunman, but of losing one's job. Fear governs writing, and self censorship is the death of a journalist before the first shot is fired, before the first line of the story is written Corporates do not actually have to kill journalists, they have the money for bigger kill. They kill journalism itself, by becoming media houses. This episode of DALEEL with SP SINGH, was telecast on PTC News on May 18, 2016. Feedback, suggestions welcome at singh.india@gmail.com. Also, please help spread the word about DALEEL, an effort at cerebral television in times of dumbing down of the news media. Thank you for watching. DALEEL WITH SP SINGH is now telecast every Wednesday at 7 pm on PTC News. Repeat telecast is normally on Thursday, at 2 pm. But TV channels can change schedules without notice. So, please always check the latest schedule, and do not bet your money on it.