Mediocrity

Rajdeep Sardesai of CNN-IBN is one enthusiastic voluble speaker. His news delivery style is quite unparalleled. He speaks really loudly at times, occasionally even screaming his point across and sometimes he stammers in his over enthusiasm (which is pardonable).

But in being a good journalist or a newsreader, I think it’s more important as to what you say more than how you say it. It’s important to pick and choose your words and try to avoid accusational or implicative statements. As a journalist, it’s your job to bring the truth in front of people and not pass your own judgments. More often that not, our Indian journalists do just that, unfortunately.

Take for example a news programme that CNN-IBN ran on the 19^th of March. It was kind of a pre election discussion going on and two candidates who are standing from their particular constituencies were called on the show to talk about their campaigns. These candidates were Mallika Sarabhai, daughter of Vikram Sarabhai, prolific classical dancer and social worker. The other was Shashi Tharoor, ex Indian diplomat at the UN and writer. Both these people are obviously well to do and successful in their respective fields and highly educated, good English speaking individuals (unlike most others standing for elections).

So, Rajdeep starts off by asking questions about their constituencies, how they plan to campaign etc. But at one point this discussion took a crazily incomprehedible mode.

Mallika Sarabhai was asked the following questions, some of which can only be described as senseless, baseless, totally discouraging for a 1^st timer at elections and examples of journalists thinking that the sun shines on their asses…Here are a few of those questions;

Do you think, the fact that you are English speaking and educated could work against you?

Do you really think you can win from your constituency?

But L.K Advani is fighting from the same constituency as you, what makes you think you will win?

Do you really think you can connect with the people?

Pretty ridiculous one must say these questions were. I mean c’mon, no one stands for elections thinking or knowing they are going to lose. Obviously everybody wants to win. These questions reflect sort of an indirect implication saying that she has no chance of winning. You don’t have to be a genius to figure that out. But I admired the way in which Mrs.Sarabhai answered these questions with dignity and firmness. She sounded like someone who is determined to make a difference to society. And with youth and rational thinking on her side, I really do wish she wins, even though she is fighting from Advani’s constituency and all that. Its time the old, haggard players let go and let youth take over the reigns of this country. And as far as the media goes, I’l say, just give us the bloody news, don’t express your opinions on them. THAT’S NOT YOUR JOB!!!!