They have seen more, before stating, “There is a difference between journalists and professional journalists. True are they, a scene which I had faced today at a press meet supports the above-said statement.
As a part of my profession, I had to attend a press meet where reporters, stringers, and photographers from various media channels have gathered to cover it. I don’t want to reveal the name of the victim, though she is quite familiar to Telugu people. The meet was all about that lady’s missing pen drive.
She is aged, had less knowledge of computers and gadgets. Her concern was all about the fear of misusing the important data present in the lost pen drive. My media colleagues spared with her until she commented on something very true about the present media.
The comment was “If I’m in this stage now with more familiarity and recognition from people, it’s all coz of the support from media. Without you people, I would have led a common man’s life. But what saddened me is the act of media again, the way you people portrayed my issue of losing my pen drive. Neither had you contacted me nor had proper evidence and clarity on the issue. This is making me depressed.
(She was right because when I myself checked the published articles, there were many assumptions, instead of the actual scene. People wrote as if to fill the pages or in another way, fill it up with masala (sensation).
I felt that the point which she had raised after commenting on the act of media was also valid. “You may publish anything and everything without thinking or researching. But remember, neither you nor your organization is answerable to our families. For everything you wrote, we are responsible. We hold the blame and shame. Would you write in the same reckless way if it was your family member or your friend facing my situation? ”
Her tone was a little loud and bold. I totally support her way of projecting the issue. She had the guts to question the media on the face, there itself, while all the cameras were on, questioning their accountability angrily.
Here comes what increased my temper. Soon after she finished the statement, a media person came forward questioning her, how can she particularly tell that all the newspapers wrote as they wanted without investigation? She gave a fitting reply. She displayed all the papers that carried her news and showed the guy. Even then he was not satisfied. He came with another sarcastic question. This time he asked if she had spoken with the media on the day the complaint was registered. As if he was supporting on behalf of all the media people, he wanted to prove that the media did not do any mistake while addressing her issue. The answer was NO. She said except the police no one knew about the complaint then. At least by now, this man’s urge to lower her statement did not satisfy. He immediately said, “We write what the police say.” Finally, the man’s mouth was shut by the answer she gave. She said, “So before writing you people will not take my version. Without my knowledge, you write whatever you want and what all that the police say.”
This was exactly how she was portraying the media from the beginning. “They write as they like.” I felt the guy stupid. He just wanted to show that the woman was wrong for commenting on media. But he himself did not know that the same platform for whom he works was on the wrong track.
Soon after this, many other media people started walking out without the meet being completed. This is not the respect we should portray as humans. Few showed disinterest on their faces and few felt the issue was nothing or like boring. This is not the attitude we as responsible people should possess. The woman was concentrating on two points repeatedly. “How can media be so irresponsible? and the fear of misusing the data from the lost pen drive.” Many got irritated by her repetitive statements on these two points. This is not we should perceive as responsible journalists.
There I understood who a professional journalist was. Who makes a professional journalist and what makes a professional journalist.
The fear of misusing the data made her explain everything repetitive and elaborate. The reporters felt that annoying. They did not give a second taught for why she was repetitively saying the same things. The moment she started questioning media, they were pissed off and started walking out of the room. (As if they can’t add any masala in this news item now). Few others commented on her back, portraying that it was her mistake for losing the pen drive. The way they saw her made me feel pity for all the women. After some time the room was almost vacant. They did not bother to listen to her not at least now, to try to get the right information. I stayed back.
Many questions were running in my head while I stayed back. Not as a journalist, but as a Woman. I was thinking about how men can easily judge a woman. I was thinking about how they can make a joke out of her issue. I was thinking about how they can think it was her mistake every time. I felt low. People disrespected her despite her status. I wondered what could be the situation of a common woman then. It made me feel like the prejudice about a woman is alive forever.
There I wanted to talk about a professional Journalist. Who investigates, interests and informs the public. The way they left the room, nor the way they defended themselves nor the way they treated her. That’s not Journalism. My blood boiled because everyone who can talk was holding the mic and everyone who can write were holding the pen. So there the difference was, with people like these and the ‘Professional Journalist- The one with patience and passion towards their Profession’.
#savejornalism#savepeople#saveIndia.
Divya Vallabhaneni
