The Mess Age
Saturday, 30 April 2011
Ameer Hamza
What the Irish political satirist Jonathan Swift said, tongue-in-cheek, about lawyers in England during his time may well serve to describe journalists, by and large everywhere these days: they 'are people who are trained from their youth to prove that black is white and white is black, according as they are paid!' Is that too uncharitable an opinion? No doubt there are many die-hard idealists who refuse to be purchased, but in these times, aptly dubbed the Mess Age, can journalists worth the salt really be independent or objective? Pragmatic ones choose to become 'embedded' and serve the Establishment without any qualms. Read Uli Schmetzer, the veteran international correspondent who had seen many global crises unfold over the past half century. In his bestselling book, 'Times of Terror: Notebooks of a Foreign Correspondent,' he tells us his reports used to get mauled beyond recognition by his editors, to fit versions approved by the powers-that-be! So, have no illusions about 'objective journalism' or 'the freedom of the press', be it in the Third World or the First! Throughout the book Schmetzer recounts his first hand experience of the double standards adopted by his employers in particular and the Western media in general. The outlets of the latter are just 'propaganda machines, a little subtler perhaps than the one in the former Soviet Union,' but just as adept at churning out tales narrated by government officials, instant 'experts' and like-minded politicians, while ignoring dissenting voices altogether or treating them trivially! In this beloved country there is no end to pontifications about the role of newspapers in nation-building. In the best interest of the public, they are supposed to be as objective as possible, regardless of their political and commercial preferences. In the same vein, news-gatherers too are also told to tell nothing but the 'truth'. [But what colour, cynics might quip! And who can blame them, given the medieval mindset of most decision makers?] Life itself having become commercialised everywhere, it is better not take anything at face value. Readers, viewers, listeners must be more discerning if they wish to get the whole picture. Nothing is, as it is written, shown or spoken about! How can there be anything called 'authentic' at all in mainstream media these days when a little food and booze can influence reporting? This was the frustrated response of one retired reporter when asked to comment on the 'freedom of the press' idea. Indeed, some CIPs (commercially important people) have been heard boasting about keeping their favourite hacks happy with grub and gifts to cover CIP events! That amounts to 'character assassination' of the entire profession, based on the gluttony and obsequiousness of a few fallen ones, doesn't it! To be fair, if it is okay to serve refreshments or full meals at public relations (PR) exercises why should it be not okay to enjoy them? And it is rather small of the CIPs to single out poor reporters for criticism if they enjoy the tea and toast or tehari that they happen to offer. But they would stink badly if absolutely un-newsworthy functions are given space in exchange for gifts in cash or kind. Understandably, journalists working for a living rather than a mission, do end up caring less for professional integrity and more for job security - that is, if the paymasters lack the same missionary zeal for quality journalism. Ordinary journalists hardly have any option but to follow the dictates and compulsions of the newspaper owners and editors. Some of the latter have been found waging turf wars, running stories with the intention of getting even with adversaries, instead of serving public interest. Then there is the usual protection of the 'life-blood' of the newspaper business - advertisements - which influence owners to limit and censure their reporters' forays into company-critical news reports. The press therefore can never really be free as long as it is tied to 'Money.' Even then, we have had quite a number of fearless newshounds making honest scribes proud. And hopefully, there will be many more coming up to strengthen the Fourth Estate, as brilliant young professionals bring in fresh blood and bold ways of telling the truth, and nothing but the truth. ................................................. E-mail : nyew@bol-online.com
What the Irish political satirist Jonathan Swift said, tongue-in-cheek, about lawyers in England during his time may well serve to describe journalists, by and large everywhere these days: they 'are people who are trained from their youth to prove that black is white and white is black, according as they are paid!' Is that too uncharitable an opinion? No doubt there are many die-hard idealists who refuse to be purchased, but in these times, aptly dubbed the Mess Age, can journalists worth the salt really be independent or objective? Pragmatic ones choose to become 'embedded' and serve the Establishment without any qualms. Read Uli Schmetzer, the veteran international correspondent who had seen many global crises unfold over the past half century. In his bestselling book, 'Times of Terror: Notebooks of a Foreign Correspondent,' he tells us his reports used to get mauled beyond recognition by his editors, to fit versions approved by the powers-that-be! So, have no illusions about 'objective journalism' or 'the freedom of the press', be it in the Third World or the First! Throughout the book Schmetzer recounts his first hand experience of the double standards adopted by his employers in particular and the Western media in general. The outlets of the latter are just 'propaganda machines, a little subtler perhaps than the one in the former Soviet Union,' but just as adept at churning out tales narrated by government officials, instant 'experts' and like-minded politicians, while ignoring dissenting voices altogether or treating them trivially! In this beloved country there is no end to pontifications about the role of newspapers in nation-building. In the best interest of the public, they are supposed to be as objective as possible, regardless of their political and commercial preferences. In the same vein, news-gatherers too are also told to tell nothing but the 'truth'. [But what colour, cynics might quip! And who can blame them, given the medieval mindset of most decision makers?] Life itself having become commercialised everywhere, it is better not take anything at face value. Readers, viewers, listeners must be more discerning if they wish to get the whole picture. Nothing is, as it is written, shown or spoken about! How can there be anything called 'authentic' at all in mainstream media these days when a little food and booze can influence reporting? This was the frustrated response of one retired reporter when asked to comment on the 'freedom of the press' idea. Indeed, some CIPs (commercially important people) have been heard boasting about keeping their favourite hacks happy with grub and gifts to cover CIP events! That amounts to 'character assassination' of the entire profession, based on the gluttony and obsequiousness of a few fallen ones, doesn't it! To be fair, if it is okay to serve refreshments or full meals at public relations (PR) exercises why should it be not okay to enjoy them? And it is rather small of the CIPs to single out poor reporters for criticism if they enjoy the tea and toast or tehari that they happen to offer. But they would stink badly if absolutely un-newsworthy functions are given space in exchange for gifts in cash or kind. Understandably, journalists working for a living rather than a mission, do end up caring less for professional integrity and more for job security - that is, if the paymasters lack the same missionary zeal for quality journalism. Ordinary journalists hardly have any option but to follow the dictates and compulsions of the newspaper owners and editors. Some of the latter have been found waging turf wars, running stories with the intention of getting even with adversaries, instead of serving public interest. Then there is the usual protection of the 'life-blood' of the newspaper business - advertisements - which influence owners to limit and censure their reporters' forays into company-critical news reports. The press therefore can never really be free as long as it is tied to 'Money.' Even then, we have had quite a number of fearless newshounds making honest scribes proud. And hopefully, there will be many more coming up to strengthen the Fourth Estate, as brilliant young professionals bring in fresh blood and bold ways of telling the truth, and nothing but the truth. ................................................. E-mail : nyew@bol-online.com