5Ws + 1H
The basic rules of J-school are that you ask the 5Ws (Who, What, When, Where, Why) and 1H (How)... And frankly, that is pretty much how it should be... Not just in the papers, but everywhere...
A well-timed bout of self questioning will ensure that many a disaster stays averted... Or not, as the case may be...
Being in the media means that it is important to do this. It is important to watch what you say, who you say it to, why you say it, when you say it and how you say it... Peepli [Live!] is perhaps the worst thing that could have happened to media professionals (or unprofessionals, depends on how you viewed the film)...
You know, we in the media aren't all that bad. I'm not defending the rampant abuse of the poor, the rape of misery, the destruction of privacy that the media indulges in. But honestly, yaar, we don't mean it. We don't mean to belittle your grief. We don't mean to hurt your sentiments. We don't mean to make light of a horrible situation...
We are only trying to do our jobs. It's a dirty job, but someones got to do it. We need to ensure that YOU watch us, that YOU are rapt, that YOU stay riveted. 'Whatever It takes!', remember? Plus, don't forget, it's only because YOU watch it that we do it. You watch, we get ad money. That ad money helps us to do all the responsible work we also do - yes, I can see the raised eyebrow - but we DO do some responsible work. Again, YOU miss it. Because it isn't flashy, you see? It's just plain, hard-assed, good reporting.
The Aaj Taks of the world are on the same platform as the Tehelkas. We all just use a different way of presenting information, but both are hyped up in their own way. One may appeal to the vulgar coarseness in us, the other to the refinement and morality.
But frankly, both exist in each of us. The rot is within. On both sides. The viewer and the viewed. We are the medium, you are the consumer. Because you consume, we provide. And you have the choice of eating both fries and salads. YOU choose the fries.
And so do I.
A well-timed bout of self questioning will ensure that many a disaster stays averted... Or not, as the case may be...
Being in the media means that it is important to do this. It is important to watch what you say, who you say it to, why you say it, when you say it and how you say it... Peepli [Live!] is perhaps the worst thing that could have happened to media professionals (or unprofessionals, depends on how you viewed the film)...
You know, we in the media aren't all that bad. I'm not defending the rampant abuse of the poor, the rape of misery, the destruction of privacy that the media indulges in. But honestly, yaar, we don't mean it. We don't mean to belittle your grief. We don't mean to hurt your sentiments. We don't mean to make light of a horrible situation...
We are only trying to do our jobs. It's a dirty job, but someones got to do it. We need to ensure that YOU watch us, that YOU are rapt, that YOU stay riveted. 'Whatever It takes!', remember? Plus, don't forget, it's only because YOU watch it that we do it. You watch, we get ad money. That ad money helps us to do all the responsible work we also do - yes, I can see the raised eyebrow - but we DO do some responsible work. Again, YOU miss it. Because it isn't flashy, you see? It's just plain, hard-assed, good reporting.
The Aaj Taks of the world are on the same platform as the Tehelkas. We all just use a different way of presenting information, but both are hyped up in their own way. One may appeal to the vulgar coarseness in us, the other to the refinement and morality.
But frankly, both exist in each of us. The rot is within. On both sides. The viewer and the viewed. We are the medium, you are the consumer. Because you consume, we provide. And you have the choice of eating both fries and salads. YOU choose the fries.
And so do I.
posted by Ruth at 10:03 PM
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