NL Hafta

"What is the role of the media? The role of the media is to make money for its owners. Its function is to inform people...and give them news," says journalist Palagummi Sainath in a conversation with Newslaundry.

On June 16, People's Archive of Rural India's founder-editor Sainath delivered the 1st Neelabh Mishra Memorial Lecture on how corporatisation of the media harms Indian democracy. Newslaundry spoke to Sainath about media ownership, freedom of the press, priorities of Indian newsrooms, among several other issues related to the Indian media landscape.

Speaking on the corporatisation of media, Sainath says, "[In] corporate-owned media, journalism and journalists can never be free. He also added that whatever freedom there was, even in that set-up, has been swiftly shrinking. "There are very fine journalists...but the space they have to function has shrunk quite rapidly." Quoting American journalist AJ Liebling, Sainath says, "Freedom of the press is meant for those who own one." He adds that when it comes to freedom of the press, one will have to dismantle corporate monopoly.

But Sainath warns that the answer to corporate monopoly isn't state monopoly. "We've to think of various new forms -- collectives, cooperatives, individual initiatives, a lot of these...," he adds, before speaking about some of the threats posed by corporate ownership of the media. "Corporate ownership destroys diversity, it stifles smaller but important voices. It destroys journalist's freedom by converting the job market of a journalist into contracts, where earlier they have very solid, tenured [jobs]," Sainath says. Later, speaking about the Working Journalists Act, Sainath adds, "The Working journalist Act in itself, it was a very fine Act. It has been nakedly violated."

Speaking about the dangers posed by corporate media ownership, Sainath says that corporate ownership enforces self-censorship. "You stop saying things, you stop doing things...because you want to keep your job. You've got your family to support. These are real problems for our ordinary journalists in the real world," Sainath says, adding, "And then you also start recruiting a generation that is groomed and socialised in your economic philosophy -- that sees everything through the eyes of their owners. Then you don't even have to threaten or bully...because there are questions of shared values. Corporate ownership [also] destroys diversity, it stifles smaller but important voices."

Speaking about the recent spate of journalistic killings, Sainath adds, "I don't want to rank victimhood, for me each one of these was a gigantic tragedy...but we deny legitimacy to the small-town journalist. That is what would be a correct way of putting it," he says.

बीते मंगलवार को जम्मू-कश्मीर में भाजपा का पीडीपी से गठबंधन खत्म कर राज्य में राष्ट्रपति शासन लगाया जाना, हापुड़ में गोकशी के नाम पर भीड़ द्वारा कासिम की हत्या, एयरटेल द्वारा पूजा सिंह नाम की युवती की आपत्ति के बाद मुस्लिम धर्म के कस्टमर केयर एग्जेक्यूटिव की जगह हिंदू कस्टमर केयर एग्जेक्यूटिव मुहैया करवाया जाना, जज लोया की स्टोरी करने वाले पत्रकार निरंजन टाकले का करीब आठ महीने से बेरोजगार होना व अन्य मुद्दे रहे इस हफ्ते चर्चा के मुख्य विषय.

चर्चा के मुख्य अतिथि रहे बचपन बचाओ आंदोलन से जुड़े अनिल पाण्डेय, न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री संवाददाता अमित भारद्वाज और उपसंपादक रोहिण कुमार. चर्चा का संचालन न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री के कार्यकारी संपादक अतुल चौरसिया ने किया.

बीते मंगलवार को जम्मू-कश्मीर में भाजपा का पीडीपी से गठबंधन खत्म कर राज्य में राष्ट्रपति शासन लगाया जाना, हापुड़ में गोकशी के नाम पर भीड़ द्वारा कासिम की हत्या, एयरटेल द्वारा पूजा सिंह नाम की युवती की आपत्ति के बाद मुस्लिम धर्म के कस्टमर केयर एग्जेक्यूटिव की जगह हिंदू कस्टमर केयर एग्जेक्यूटिव मुहैया करवाया जाना, जज लोया की स्टोरी करने वाले पत्रकार निरंजन टाकले का करीब आठ महीने से बेरोजगार होना व अन्य मुद्दे रहे इस हफ्ते चर्चा के मुख्य विषय.

चर्चा के मुख्य अतिथि रहे बचपन बचाओ आंदोलन से जुड़े अनिल पाण्डेय, न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री संवाददाता अमित भारद्वाज और उपसंपादक रोहिण कुमार. चर्चा का संचालन न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री के कार्यकारी संपादक अतुल चौरसिया ने किया.

This Hafta episode unpacks major developments and incidents that have rocked the media over the past week. While Major Gogoi topped the panel's agenda, Tejpal tapes aired by Times Now also caught their attention. Cobrapost's Operation: 136 is also discussed because it seems to have “made headlines only on social media”. Pranab Mukherjee’s tentative visit to RSS headquarters as well as backlash in Assam against the Citizenship Bill feature in this Hafta.

Taking up the issue of Major Gogoi, Abhinandan asks the panel, “What do you make of it?”. Our expert on Northeast issues, Samrat, says, “In places like Kashmir, you have to be sure what exactly is going on." He also adds, “If one of the persons involved was a minor then it is a problem…[otherwise it is the] business of those two individuals and nobody else." Madhu shares her concerns over honey trapping of our Army men in all these high-security areas. She adds, “I really don’t get excited about stories like this…identity of the girl for me is important."

The Tarun Tejpal tapes from 2013 surfaced in the media two days after Cobrapost's sting. The tapes were released by Times Now. Madhu feels, “Showing it [the tapes] like this, by slanting the [perception of the] viewers…this is the worst thing to do." Manisha adds, “It is not fair to the girl also." Samrat states “these sort of stories are always reported so sensationally”. Abhinandan comments, “Times Now has found a new low.”

The groundbreaking discoveries revealed by the Cobrapost sting Operation: 136 has the entire panel pondering about what is yet to come. Manisha gives a clear context of the sting. She states, “Basically he [Pushp Sharma, Cobrapost's reporter] had 3-point agenda. The first phase was obviously soft-Hindutva, the second was to attack Opposition leaders and the third was to polarise and communalise." Speaking of the sting, Abhinandan talks about Paytm’s involvement in the entire debacle and how “that’s huge”.

Shekhar Gupta’s recent article on sting operations being different than journalism ensues a debate amongst the panel. Abhinandan asks, “I want to know why because I think stings are journalism." Madhu clarifies, “Sting journalism is fine with the caveat that it's a story that you wouldn't be able to prove otherwise”. Samrat concurs with Madhu and adds, “A widely-known truth that, unfortunately, can only be brought to the attention of a larger audience by these means, so in that case, I think its alright."

Abhinandan and Samrat talk about the controversial Citizenship Bill in Assam. Samrat says, "The Citizenship Bill, basically, tries to ease the process by which members of religious communities other than Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh can obtain Indian citizenship." He adds, "It exempts people of Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Christian groups from these communities from being cheated as illegal immigrants. The reason you're getting a pushback from the other end of the country (Assam) is because alleged illegal migration from Bangladesh has been part of the politics of Assam since before partition."

Samrat proceeds to speak comprehensively on the issue from historical context. Samrat says, "The biggest issue that exists between the Bengali and Assamese communities in Assam is about the alleged imposition of the Bengali language on Assam as the official language by the British administration around 1837."

He adds, "The Assam agitation was basically about chasing out the Bengalis. Now what has happened, with the BJP making in-roads there, is that they are trying to re-configure the politics from linguistic basis to religious basis."

This Hafta episode unpacks major developments and incidents that have rocked the media over the past week. While Major Gogoi topped the panel's agenda, Tejpal tapes aired by Times Now also caught their attention. Cobrapost's Operation: 136 is also discussed because it seems to have “made headlines only on social media”. Pranab Mukherjee’s tentative visit to RSS headquarters as well as backlash in Assam against the Citizenship Bill feature in this Hafta.

Taking up the issue of Major Gogoi, Abhinandan asks the panel, “What do you make of it?”. Our expert on Northeast issues, Samrat, says, “In places like Kashmir, you have to be sure what exactly is going on." He also adds, “If one of the persons involved was a minor then it is a problem…[otherwise it is the] business of those two individuals and nobody else." Madhu shares her concerns over honey trapping of our Army men in all these high-security areas. She adds, “I really don’t get excited about stories like this…identity of the girl for me is important."

The Tarun Tejpal tapes from 2013 surfaced in the media two days after Cobrapost's sting. The tapes were released by Times Now. Madhu feels, “Showing it [the tapes] like this, by slanting the [perception of the] viewers…this is the worst thing to do." Manisha adds, “It is not fair to the girl also." Samrat states “these sort of stories are always reported so sensationally”. Abhinandan comments, “Times Now has found a new low.”

The groundbreaking discoveries revealed by the Cobrapost sting Operation: 136 has the entire panel pondering about what is yet to come. Manisha gives a clear context of the sting. She states, “Basically he [Pushp Sharma, Cobrapost's reporter] had 3-point agenda. The first phase was obviously soft-Hindutva, the second was to attack Opposition leaders and the third was to polarise and communalise." Speaking of the sting, Abhinandan talks about Paytm’s involvement in the entire debacle and how “that’s huge”.

Shekhar Gupta’s recent article on sting operations being different than journalism ensues a debate amongst the panel. Abhinandan asks, “I want to know why because I think stings are journalism." Madhu clarifies, “Sting journalism is fine with the caveat that it's a story that you wouldn't be able to prove otherwise”. Samrat concurs with Madhu and adds, “A widely-known truth that, unfortunately, can only be brought to the attention of a larger audience by these means, so in that case, I think its alright."

Abhinandan and Samrat talk about the controversial Citizenship Bill in Assam. Samrat says, "The Citizenship Bill, basically, tries to ease the process by which members of religious communities other than Muslims from Afghanistan, Pakistan and Bangladesh can obtain Indian citizenship." He adds, "It exempts people of Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Christian groups from these communities from being cheated as illegal immigrants. The reason you're getting a pushback from the other end of the country (Assam) is because alleged illegal migration from Bangladesh has been part of the politics of Assam since before partition."

Samrat proceeds to speak comprehensively on the issue from historical context. Samrat says, "The biggest issue that exists between the Bengali and Assamese communities in Assam is about the alleged imposition of the Bengali language on Assam as the official language by the British administration around 1837."

He adds, "The Assam agitation was basically about chasing out the Bengalis. Now what has happened, with the BJP making in-roads there, is that they are trying to re-configure the politics from linguistic basis to religious basis."

NL Hafta has gone behind the paywall, but we love our listeners. So, here's a little sneak peek into the complete episode where we discuss the BJP-PDP breakup, Shujaat Bukhari's murder, the Airtel row and more.

You can listen to the full Hafta here (https://bit.ly/2tlmrFf).

NL Hafta has gone behind the paywall, but we love our listeners. So, here's a little sneak peek into the complete episode where we discuss the BJP-PDP breakup, Shujaat Bukhari's murder, the Airtel row and more.

You can listen to the full Hafta here (https://bit.ly/2tlmrFf).

बीते मंगलवार को जम्मू-कश्मीर में भाजपा का पीडीपी से गठबंधन खत्म कर राज्य में राष्ट्रपति शासन लगाया जाना, हापुड़ में गोकशी के नाम पर भीड़ द्वारा कासिम की हत्या, एयरटेल द्वारा पूजा सिंह नाम की युवती की आपत्ति के बाद मुस्लिम धर्म के कस्टमर केयर एग्जेक्यूटिव की जगह हिंदू कस्टमर केयर एग्जेक्यूटिव मुहैया करवाया जाना, जज लोया की स्टोरी करने वाले पत्रकार निरंजन टाकले का करीब आठ महीने से बेरोजगार होना व अन्य मुद्दे रहे इस हफ्ते चर्चा के मुख्य विषय.चर्चा के मुख्य अतिथि रहे बचपन बचाओ आंदोलन से जुड़े अनिल पाण्डेय, न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री संवाददाता अमित भारद्वाज और उपसंपादक रोहिण कुमार. चर्चा का संचालन न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री के कार्यकारी संपादक अतुल चौरसिया ने किया.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rahul Puri and Samar Khan bring you the first podcast since the FIFA World Cup 2018 kick-off. Samar begins with a remark, “It has been a crazy kind of a World Cup. It has been different from the others, it has been a li'l bit of a wake-up time for the big boys?!”

Rahul agrees, “I don’t think anybody would’ve even picked the results that happened in the first round of matches. Argentina being held to a draw. Brazil being held to a draw. Germany losing to Mexico being the big shock in the World Cup...”

Rahul observes that it has been a World Cup of penalties (fouls). Samar says, “The amount of penalties that have been given -- in a way it’s a good thing...in a way it’s a bad cup.” Rahul says, “It has been a fairly clean World Cup. The referees have been reluctant to hand out cards. We’ve only had one red card. Let’s face it, it was a stone-cold red.”

The duo debates the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system that has seen differing opinions across the football spectrum. Comparing with the review system in cricket, Samar says, “In cricket, the team can ask for a review. Over here, the VAR is still pretty much in the grey area.” Rahul replies, “I, at the moment, can’t see how the system does anything to help the match.” He says, “The big problem with VAR is that I don’t think anybody quite knows how VAR can be used.” He also questions the use of VAR as the lack in clarity of assessing a situation whether it qualifies for it or not. Samar says, “The people who are monitoring the VAR are supposed to be referees. Now, if they are referees, then they should have the same rights as the on-field referee.”

The duo proceeds to examine the performances of various teams and their key players.

Rahul Puri and Samar Khan bring you the first podcast since the FIFA World Cup 2018 kick-off. Samar begins with a remark, “It has been a crazy kind of a World Cup. It has been different from the others, it has been a li'l bit of a wake-up time for the big boys?!”

Rahul agrees, “I don’t think anybody would’ve even picked the results that happened in the first round of matches. Argentina being held to a draw. Brazil being held to a draw. Germany losing to Mexico being the big shock in the World Cup...”

Rahul observes that it has been a World Cup of penalties (fouls). Samar says, “The amount of penalties that have been given -- in a way it’s a good thing...in a way it’s a bad cup.” Rahul says, “It has been a fairly clean World Cup. The referees have been reluctant to hand out cards. We’ve only had one red card. Let’s face it, it was a stone-cold red.”

The duo debates the use of Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system that has seen differing opinions across the football spectrum. Comparing with the review system in cricket, Samar says, “In cricket, the team can ask for a review. Over here, the VAR is still pretty much in the grey area.” Rahul replies, “I, at the moment, can’t see how the system does anything to help the match.” He says, “The big problem with VAR is that I don’t think anybody quite knows how VAR can be used.” He also questions the use of VAR as the lack in clarity of assessing a situation whether it qualifies for it or not. Samar says, “The people who are monitoring the VAR are supposed to be referees. Now, if they are referees, then they should have the same rights as the on-field referee.”

The duo proceeds to examine the performances of various teams and their key players.