A Kashmiri Editor
Kashyap Bandhu
[Courtesy: Desh Files procured from Sh. S. N. Gorkha, Translated from Urdu by
Prof. M. L. Koul.]
In the continent of Europe, journalism is known
as 'fourth estate'. In India, journalism plays a leadership role. In
Kashmir, journalism can be interchangeably deployed for unemployment.
Here we have a few journalists who are virtually God-made. But there
are hosts of journalists who have adopted the profession under the pressure of
circumstances. All these are outnumbered by journalists who assume the
appellation for 'court advertisements'.
It is well-known that there is a mighty gulf and rivalry between goddess of
learning (Saraswati) and Goddess of wealth. The twain never meet. The
Goddess of learning flies in the face of the Goddess of wealth. So does
the Goddess of wealth fly in the face of Saraswati. But in Kashmir,
majority of journalists traverse the path of wealth to reach the abode of
Goddess of learning. In this arduous journey they find their saviours in
'court-clerks'.
Here some people hold that there is little difference between journalism and
groceries. It needs four hundred rupees to setup a grocer's shop.
For journalism some paper sheets are a requirement. If tired of
selling groceries, he can be doled out the suggestion of issuing out a paper and
in a jiffy he emerges as a journalist and feels it as an essential passport to
success.
In our country there are herds of employees like patwaries, revenue clerks
and others who on their own appoint 'helpers' to assist them in the performance
of their duties. All of them draw their pay dues from the public
exchequer. But, in actuality, their official work is performs by the
'helpers'. In journalism we find a class of 'helpers' who are quite
knowledgeable and write most of the columns in the papers. But the
front page flaunts the name of the journalist in bold letters. It is an
interesting aspect of journalism in our country.
In communal battles journalism assumes a sharper edge than a fast-flying
bullet. In reality, communal shop sparkles through the idiom of
journalism. Goods find an increased demand and the number of customers
touches a new high. There is a corresponding increase in the lustre of
journalism when communal fires blaze and sparkle.
There is a regular spectacle of 'give and take' between communalism and
journalism. The twain have the same nexus as body and soul I ave. In
the existence of one lies sustenance of the other. If one dies, the other
meets an immediate death. Both carry or feel of it and that is why both
are inter-related. Both are of the same hue and mode. Journalism
flourishes under government patronage, not under the patronage of people.
It always tries to flatter and appease the powers that be and ignores its own
essential ingredients and codes.
God-made journalists also can be seen in the same ranks. They also
follow the same track that is furrowed by their prime movers. They are
adrift in the same waters, but have an earnest desire to march ahead of others.
It is hoped that the 'lyres' of present day journalism will get deflated when
governments withdraw their patronage. As a result its wheels will get sunk
and stuck up. It will be bereft of its own inner dynamism. This
condition may prove fruitful for resurgence of real journalism in our country.
It is a mere hope and world lives by hope only.
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