citizen’s journalism

Citizen’s journalism For the people of the people by the people, For those of us who have forgotten this kind of sums up democracy. Every idea is a myth to support it, symbols and rituals to re-enforce it and bards to keep the myth and ideology alive. If we were to look at independence as a religion then the flag, becomes our symbol and the national anthem the ritual the bard would be the media. Logically the media should also be inspired or rather work on the same lines for the people, of the people by the people; — no I definitely don’t mean media should gossip that is all what it seems to do today. To me the entire exercise of citizens journalism came across as an health awareness program, here were the largest democracy which has every joint functional on papers but suffering from disuse atrophy. The journalists who should have been curative which give the message as it is, have become palliative either they are unaware or unconcerned about issues. Mr.Prakash Kamat the president of Goa Journalists union, made some interesting observations, (by the way this is his hobby horse he beats my Bakbak Roy flogging) the day I choose to buy TOI because they give me a travel bad, instead of Lokamatt because it gives me news only I have abdicated my right to news I have become a consumer now the advt. and finance section of the publication house will decide what I read. There are so many factors that come into play, like when you look at the English paper unless they are the home grown ones like Navhind in Goa most English newspaper will only talk Urbania or international news or national news, the grit or the relevant news is mostly in the vernacular press. Mr.Alok had a very interesting observation to make, English has kind of replaced Sanskrit in the Indian scenario, and it’s nice that someone acknowledges the unifying potential of Sanskrit (my interpretation of Aloe’s statement) vernacular has been delegated to being second class citizens. Margaret Mascerhanas the story teller tried to let us know on how powerful the bards can be how they not only inspired the Cuban revolution but also worked as that communication bridge during the revolution. (Now I know where JK Rowling’s got her idea from) Does one really have to be dismal, I don’t think so, here were citizens journalism steps in pick up and write about the issues that bother you, (yes Krishnanbala, the lack of tissues at NDTV) you can write to the editor, newspapers like Navhind Times have a citizen’s voice column, and then there is always blogging. For those of us who are more committed, http://www.citizensreport.in and http://www.journalism.org.in