“China
already has experience of running community radios. They can play the
role of an early warning system. China lies in the upstream amd if they
can forsee any disaster they can inform us. We can do this as we have
one thing in common - the river,” TERESA REHMAN on a climate change workshop involving journalists of three countries. Pix: the Yarlung Zangbo
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Posted/Updated Sunday, Oct 23 11:42:46, 2011
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Compared
to the Ganges, it’s one of the least reported rivers though it drains
the entire Eastern Himalayas. The Yarlung Zangbo-Brahmaputra Basin is a
trans-boundary river system and is an integral part of the lives of
people living in three different countries – China, India and
Bangladesh. And of late there have been some apprehensions over China
building big dams on the upper reaches of the river system which has
created misgivings in downstream countries like India and Bangladesh.
This can mainly be attributed to lack of information and media reports
on the developments along the banks of the river in these three
different countries.
In
fact, this lack of information about the river system can also lead to
catastrophic results. For instance, in June 2000, a huge landslide on
the Yigong Zangbo river (the upper stream of the Brahmaputra), in the
east of Tibet led to flash floods in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and
Assam leading to an estimated property loss of not less than a billion
rupees, 30 deaths and more than 100 people missing and more than 50,000
homeless. Partha J Das, climate expert from Aaranyaak, an NGO says, “A
lot of the disaster could have been averted if this was widely
publicized by media outlets in both the countries.”
Recently,
the “Tibetan Review”, a monthly magazine wrote, “The media in India
have reacted happily Oct 14 to China’s claim that it will not divert
water from the Yarlung Tsangpo river in occupied Tibet to its parched
provinces in the north-east, or even Xinjiang in the north-west,
especially due to its “possible impact on state-to-state relations”. The
Indianexpress.com said the statement would likely come as a relief to
India. And the Timesofindia.indiatimes.com called it a rare admission
which will be welcomed in India.
In
a bid to usher in some kind of mutual exchange of ideas between the
three countries, the Third Pole Project of China dialogue and Internews’
Earth Journalism Network organized a media workshop on Climate Change
Effects in the Yarlung Zangbo/Brahmaputra Basin for journalists from
Bangladesh, China and India recently. Katherine Eaton of Internews says,
“It is possible to close your borders to anything political or economic
but not to the environment. In fact, talking about the environment can
even be an incentive for peace.”
For
the first time, Indian and Bangladeshi journalists got an opportunity
to hear a Chinese scientist Dr Yang Yong, who had for the first time
tried to explore the treacherous parts of the river system by rafting
through the river. He displayed some rare photographs which showed
desertification in parts of the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo
river which could be effects of climate change.
The
lack of data on this river system and lack of agreement of these two
countries to share information or even early warning systems has led to
many misunderstandings. Bharatlal Seth of Down To Earth magazine in
India says, “I still think the regional Indian media covers it and the
national media picks up a lot from the regional media.” Sobhapati Samom,
an Indian journalist based in Manipur feels it is important that
journalists of these three countries come together and share
information. “It also helps us to dispel many myths,” he adds.
The
Bangladesh media is also keen on a trans-boundary sharing of
information. G.M Mourtaza, chief co-ordinator of Radio Padma, the first
community radio station of Bangladesh says, “We read about this river
system as isolated incidents. We need to collate and connect one event
with another. In fact, we can have a network of community radio to share
information. China already has a long-standing experience of running
community radios. We can share information online. They can in turn
relay it on their airwaves and even play the role of an early warning
system. China lies in the upstream amd if they can forsee any disaster
they can inform us. We can do this as we have one thing in common – the
river.”
Another
journalist Ruhul Amin Rushd, senior news editor of Bangla Vision
Television used to report on climate change and the environment mainly
concentrating on the Ganges. After the Ganges, another much-talked about
river is the Teesta. But the Brahmaputra has somehow been ignored by
the media in Bangladesh. “We keep having devastating floods in our
country and I am not sure if this is in anyway connected to any
developments in the upstream. It is pertinent to co-operate with each
other and share information on the trans-boundary rivers that flow
through the countries,” he says.
Water
is such an issue that wars have been fought over it. But the common
people are not interested in the politics over water. People want water
for their basic needs, does not matter who has more or less or does
everyone has enough. Beth Walker, Editor of Third Pole, “I have been
struck by how little understanding between the three countries. We seem
to just get polarized views. It is important to share stories, concerns,
ideas and reshape the whole debate on the river.”
The
Chinese journalists too were intrigued by the misunderstanding created
by the media. Wan Li, a Chinese journalist says, “I spoke to some Indian
friends and I know there are misgivings among the media and local
people of the downstream countries. This kind of exchange programme
helps in sending across the message back home on the effects of the
mismanagement of the information system to the affected countries. We
read about the floods in Bangladesh but without any linkages to China.
Joydeep
Gupta, director of the Third Pole Project, a project of Internews’
Earth Journalism Network and China Dialogue that seeks to improve
coverage of climate change issues in the Himalayan region and downstream
wants to make this interaction among journalists of these three
different countries a sustained effort. “We want this river system to be
reported more frequently. Journalists can always share information
through listserves and be connected online,” he says.
(Teresa Rehman is a journalist based in Northeast India).
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Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Showing posts with label media. Show all posts
Friday, October 28, 2011
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Media Entrepreneur Loves Tracking non-resident Indians
Every year, thousands of Indians leave the country to re-locate in foreign lands. What is their motivation? How do they cope with the change? How do women in particular deal with the move and is it really as glamorous as it appears?
Young Bobbeeta Sarma was always curious to know how the large non resident Indian (NRI) community, especially women, made a life for themselves on foreign shores. But it wasn’t until one of her travels abroad a few years ago that this media entrepreneur and former ‘beauty queen’ from Assam finally got down to shooting a series of audio-visual travelogues. To start her project, she chose the most obvious subjects - NRIs from her home state. She did that because she wanted to take the world to the drawing rooms of Assamese people, many of whom harboured the dream of travelling abroad.
A trip to Toronto, Canada, to shoot a programme for the Assam Association in 2001 led to the series that Sarma called, Bidexot Apun Manuh or Loved Ones in a Foreign Land. For shooting the vignettes she teamed up with her TV producer husband, Chinmoy, and a colleague, Manas Adhikari. “We were a three-member team. Hiring technicians abroad is expensive so we did everything ourselves – right from research to make-up to sound and camera. It was like an adventure,” she recalls.
They short-listed a few families and flew around the world from time-to-time to record the interviews. From the United States and the UK to France, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland in Europe, to South East Asia and the Pacific, Sarma met up women and men from diverse backgrounds and interviewed them in various settings. She wanted the interactions to be candid so the team shot in kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, in parks and, on one occasion, even in a moving car. “We stayed with the people whom we wanted to feature in order to be able to provide an insight into their lives,” she says.
It was while living in their homes that Sarma discovered that life for expats is far from easy. And yet all of them have one thing in common – they are resilient and quick learners. The first thing most do – women in particular – in a new place is to learn how to drive. “If you cannot move around on your own, you are stranded and isolated, especially in countries like the US where public transport is almost non-existent except in the big cities,” says Sarma. Many also become efficient housekeepers, expertly using gadgets like the dishwasher, lawn mower and vacuum cleaner. “There are no maids at one’s beck and call in the West, although many people do get in help once or twice a week to help in the housecleaning, if they can afford it.”
Battling extreme weather conditions is another challenge. Living in cold climes particularly has a negative psychological effect on some. “I met a woman from North England who lived by the sea and she would pine for sunshine. When the grey spells would stretch for weeks together, she would become increasingly depressed,” Sarma relates. But what people miss the most is the comfort of a large family. “They feel terrible when often they are unable to make it back home during crucial times - like an illness or death in the family,” adds Sarma.
Yet, despite all these difficulties, most of them have done well for themselves. Some have achieved super success in their careers, while others are doing their bit, albeit in more modest ways. Sarma caught up with the UK-based TV host of Mridula’s Kitchen, Mridula Bajlekar. Although she is not a trained cookery expert, Bajlekar had a passion for cooking which she developed into a rewarding career. Besides the show, she has also written several books on Indian food. Another success story from Britain that Sarma has featured is Rita Payne, an Assamese woman who became the news editor of BBC’s Asia Today programme.
But while everyone has not achieved Bajlekar’s or Payne’s level of fame, there are those who are part of pioneering ventures, inspired by their roots. Like Arunachal Pradesh native Phool Pau and her husband, Wooli, who have collaborated to run a firm, Bambootech, in Nuremberg, Germany. They design eco-homes which are creating quite a stir. The idea struck Wooli when he visited Phool Pau’s family home in Arunachal. He was fascinated by the fact that the house was built on bamboo silts (chang-ghar). Inspired by these environment friendly houses, he invented a technique through which he scientifically treated and designed the bamboo in such way that the structures they create are even stronger than traditional ones.
While Sarma, a former history student who has also worked as a child actor in films and regional language soaps, went about meeting different women across the globe and learning about their lives, she also talked to them about local lifestyles. “We talked about urban sanitation, civic amenities, and so on. They also pointed to the professionalism of the work culture there.” Making this series has been enriching at two very different levels for Sarma. First, it was a challenge to film with such a small team, but they had a great time despite the rough patches. “We were on our toes most of the time, planning much in advance according to a pre-determined time table. But despite our best efforts, there were times when things went awry. We would, for instance, miss a train by seconds, largely because of all the paraphernalia - including the camera and tripod – that the three of us would have to lug around. It used to get real tough at times.”
The second benefit was an opportunity to get to know the expats from her state, many of whom have tried to keep close ties with their roots. Assamese settled abroad are largely professionals – doctors, engineers and software professionals. “We do not have rich businessmen who could invest and contribute to the development of our state, like Gujarat or Punjab. But they can contribute with their experience and technical expertise,” she says.
She particularly enjoyed her interactions with the emerging second generation of Assamese. Many countries have a multicultural population, so while these young people have grown up in a westernized environment, they are still interested in learning traditional folk dances and songs. Sarma recalls meeting Harvard student Rima Rajbonshi who has taught Bihu (an Assamese folk dance) to her batch mates - mostly Chinese and American - although she has herself never seen a real Bihu performance.
Today, Bidexot Apun Manuh has become every Assamese’s window to the world, thanks to the national broadcaster, Doordarshan, beaming it across the state as a series for seven years running. “I wanted to show this travelogue on TV and in 2001 Doordarshan came forward. This way the programme was able to reach out to even those who live in the interiors of the State,” she says.
Sarma is always delighted when strangers – not only in towns but villages –walk up to her and talk about the show. She smiles as she recalls an occasion when an old woman came up, hugged me and thanked me for having brought the world closer to her. “That’s my reward,” she says.
By Teresa Rehman
(Women’s Feature Service)
Every year, thousands of Indians leave the country to re-locate in foreign lands. What is their motivation? How do they cope with the change? How do women in particular deal with the move and is it really as glamorous as it appears?
Young Bobbeeta Sarma was always curious to know how the large non resident Indian (NRI) community, especially women, made a life for themselves on foreign shores. But it wasn’t until one of her travels abroad a few years ago that this media entrepreneur and former ‘beauty queen’ from Assam finally got down to shooting a series of audio-visual travelogues. To start her project, she chose the most obvious subjects - NRIs from her home state. She did that because she wanted to take the world to the drawing rooms of Assamese people, many of whom harboured the dream of travelling abroad.
A trip to Toronto, Canada, to shoot a programme for the Assam Association in 2001 led to the series that Sarma called, Bidexot Apun Manuh or Loved Ones in a Foreign Land. For shooting the vignettes she teamed up with her TV producer husband, Chinmoy, and a colleague, Manas Adhikari. “We were a three-member team. Hiring technicians abroad is expensive so we did everything ourselves – right from research to make-up to sound and camera. It was like an adventure,” she recalls.
They short-listed a few families and flew around the world from time-to-time to record the interviews. From the United States and the UK to France, Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium and Switzerland in Europe, to South East Asia and the Pacific, Sarma met up women and men from diverse backgrounds and interviewed them in various settings. She wanted the interactions to be candid so the team shot in kitchens, dining rooms, living rooms, in parks and, on one occasion, even in a moving car. “We stayed with the people whom we wanted to feature in order to be able to provide an insight into their lives,” she says.
It was while living in their homes that Sarma discovered that life for expats is far from easy. And yet all of them have one thing in common – they are resilient and quick learners. The first thing most do – women in particular – in a new place is to learn how to drive. “If you cannot move around on your own, you are stranded and isolated, especially in countries like the US where public transport is almost non-existent except in the big cities,” says Sarma. Many also become efficient housekeepers, expertly using gadgets like the dishwasher, lawn mower and vacuum cleaner. “There are no maids at one’s beck and call in the West, although many people do get in help once or twice a week to help in the housecleaning, if they can afford it.”
Battling extreme weather conditions is another challenge. Living in cold climes particularly has a negative psychological effect on some. “I met a woman from North England who lived by the sea and she would pine for sunshine. When the grey spells would stretch for weeks together, she would become increasingly depressed,” Sarma relates. But what people miss the most is the comfort of a large family. “They feel terrible when often they are unable to make it back home during crucial times - like an illness or death in the family,” adds Sarma.
Yet, despite all these difficulties, most of them have done well for themselves. Some have achieved super success in their careers, while others are doing their bit, albeit in more modest ways. Sarma caught up with the UK-based TV host of Mridula’s Kitchen, Mridula Bajlekar. Although she is not a trained cookery expert, Bajlekar had a passion for cooking which she developed into a rewarding career. Besides the show, she has also written several books on Indian food. Another success story from Britain that Sarma has featured is Rita Payne, an Assamese woman who became the news editor of BBC’s Asia Today programme.
But while everyone has not achieved Bajlekar’s or Payne’s level of fame, there are those who are part of pioneering ventures, inspired by their roots. Like Arunachal Pradesh native Phool Pau and her husband, Wooli, who have collaborated to run a firm, Bambootech, in Nuremberg, Germany. They design eco-homes which are creating quite a stir. The idea struck Wooli when he visited Phool Pau’s family home in Arunachal. He was fascinated by the fact that the house was built on bamboo silts (chang-ghar). Inspired by these environment friendly houses, he invented a technique through which he scientifically treated and designed the bamboo in such way that the structures they create are even stronger than traditional ones.
While Sarma, a former history student who has also worked as a child actor in films and regional language soaps, went about meeting different women across the globe and learning about their lives, she also talked to them about local lifestyles. “We talked about urban sanitation, civic amenities, and so on. They also pointed to the professionalism of the work culture there.” Making this series has been enriching at two very different levels for Sarma. First, it was a challenge to film with such a small team, but they had a great time despite the rough patches. “We were on our toes most of the time, planning much in advance according to a pre-determined time table. But despite our best efforts, there were times when things went awry. We would, for instance, miss a train by seconds, largely because of all the paraphernalia - including the camera and tripod – that the three of us would have to lug around. It used to get real tough at times.”
The second benefit was an opportunity to get to know the expats from her state, many of whom have tried to keep close ties with their roots. Assamese settled abroad are largely professionals – doctors, engineers and software professionals. “We do not have rich businessmen who could invest and contribute to the development of our state, like Gujarat or Punjab. But they can contribute with their experience and technical expertise,” she says.
She particularly enjoyed her interactions with the emerging second generation of Assamese. Many countries have a multicultural population, so while these young people have grown up in a westernized environment, they are still interested in learning traditional folk dances and songs. Sarma recalls meeting Harvard student Rima Rajbonshi who has taught Bihu (an Assamese folk dance) to her batch mates - mostly Chinese and American - although she has herself never seen a real Bihu performance.
Today, Bidexot Apun Manuh has become every Assamese’s window to the world, thanks to the national broadcaster, Doordarshan, beaming it across the state as a series for seven years running. “I wanted to show this travelogue on TV and in 2001 Doordarshan came forward. This way the programme was able to reach out to even those who live in the interiors of the State,” she says.
Sarma is always delighted when strangers – not only in towns but villages –walk up to her and talk about the show. She smiles as she recalls an occasion when an old woman came up, hugged me and thanked me for having brought the world closer to her. “That’s my reward,” she says.
By Teresa Rehman
(Women’s Feature Service)
Sunday, March 20, 2011
">TV transforms Assam's election experience
Today, television has brought elections closer home. And common people are giving vent to their pent-up feelings and frustrations on the various shows on television. Candidates are no longer mere smiling photographs on banners and posters. They are live characters on TV, says TERESA REHMAN
Posted Saturday, Mar 19 12:31:15, 2011
A news capsule on the satellite channel DY365 goes like this. They show a woman in her domestic setting. There is music in the backdrop. The anchor asks, “Do you know this lady? She was an ordinary lady looking after her house. She even objected to her husband leaving his job as a civil servant and joining politics. But today, she is herself in the electoral fray.” More music.
Then the anchor answers, “She is none other than Monika Bora, tainted Congress leader Ripun Bora’s wife.” Then they go into the history of Ripun Bora, the civil servant turned politician who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for trying to bribe an official in connection with a murder case of Daniel Topno, a tea tribe leader. He was suspended from the party but the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) revoked his suspension just one and a half month before the polls.
The anchor then questions, “Will this lady vacate her seat in case her husband would want to contest? Would she have been happier if her husband got the ticket instead of her? The camera pans on the woman who seems perturbed by the questions. She murmurs, “Well, of course. I would be happier if my husband got a clean chit and got a ticket himself.” The anchor then states, “Well, this homemaker has been going to her in-laws house for a long time. But this time, she will go as a candidate to her constituency.”
This is just one instance of tangy television reporting as the state goes to the polls next month. With the Election Commission announcing a two-phase Assembly election for Assam, on April 4 and April 11 respectively, mundane election reporting has become a dramatic and sprightly affair with frenzied political activities taking place in full media glare. The satellite channels aired from Guwahati are in a tizzy, trying to get those little nuggets of information that would keep the readers glued to their television sets.
The channels have come up with interesting taglines -- “Not inside a studio but we are there in every constituency”, “From the voter’s home to a candidate’s mind”. From multihued profiles of candidates and their constituencies to heated debates on who would form the next government, to disgruntled candidates airing their grievances and even sting operations on the misdeeds of politicians – it’s a stimulating medley that is being televised. Political analysts and veteran journalists engage in heated poll-related debates.
The nascent television boom in the state has made elections an exhilarating experience. There was a time when denizens of remote villages sent one or two representatives to the district headquarter to find out who had been given a ticket to contest elections in their constituency. They used to eagerly wait in the village square to get the news and then have raucous discussions. But today, television is giving them a minute by minute account of the entire process – right from the screening process to the final ticket allotment.
Today, television has brought elections closer home. And common people are giving vent to their pent-up feelings and frustrations on the various shows on television. These voices of the masses had always been eclipsed in the whole election hungama. One such angry villager rues in front of the television screen, “Since independence, we did not get a single MLA who loved his constituency. But we have had enough of this. Now, we have seen on television how money for the different development schemes have been usurped by the politicians. We want a change now.”
The candidates too have been able to cut across geographical barriers with the people in their constituency. They are no longer mere ‘smiling photographs’ on banners and posters. They are live characters on TV, actively voicing their opinions and engaging in mud-slinging their opponents on the small screen.
Another phenomenon which has gained popularity is ‘Tandav Pratibadh’ or violent live protests. these are the most striking scenes on television today. Live telecast of ransacking of party offices and ripping apart party banners in various parts of Assam by peeved party workers seems to have a ripple effect and being replicated in various parts of the state. Of course, the television camera has a ubiquitous presence whenever there are such protests.
It was interesting to note how these channels covered how Trinamool Congress roped in disgruntled ticket seekers from major political parties like the Congress and the AGP. They showed how just few days ago, the party office was vacated by the landlord due to non-payment of rent. But now this party was the refuge of veteran big-time politicians who were denied tickets by their respective parties.
Moreover, one person who manages raise the TRP of the channels is farmer rights activist Akhil Gogoi of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, who has launched a crusade against the incumbent Congress government. He has been holding regular press meets against the Tarun Gogoi government. In his latest press meet, he appealed to the voters out the corrupt Congress government. He made 50 ‘maha’ or major allegations of corruption against the government, the inputs for which they have acquired by using the Right to Information Act.
All the news channel seems to have its own agenda. With the channel Newslive adopting a distinct pro-Congress stand, the channel DY365 is playing the role of a constructive opposition. NETV, on the other hand is taking a moderate stand. And now even petty workers of political parties know which channel to contact when they have to air their news. And till the elections get over, viewers in remote parts of the state will wait with baited breath for any kind of ‘breaking news’.
ends
Today, television has brought elections closer home. And common people are giving vent to their pent-up feelings and frustrations on the various shows on television. Candidates are no longer mere smiling photographs on banners and posters. They are live characters on TV, says TERESA REHMAN
Posted Saturday, Mar 19 12:31:15, 2011
A news capsule on the satellite channel DY365 goes like this. They show a woman in her domestic setting. There is music in the backdrop. The anchor asks, “Do you know this lady? She was an ordinary lady looking after her house. She even objected to her husband leaving his job as a civil servant and joining politics. But today, she is herself in the electoral fray.” More music.
Then the anchor answers, “She is none other than Monika Bora, tainted Congress leader Ripun Bora’s wife.” Then they go into the history of Ripun Bora, the civil servant turned politician who was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for trying to bribe an official in connection with a murder case of Daniel Topno, a tea tribe leader. He was suspended from the party but the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) revoked his suspension just one and a half month before the polls.
The anchor then questions, “Will this lady vacate her seat in case her husband would want to contest? Would she have been happier if her husband got the ticket instead of her? The camera pans on the woman who seems perturbed by the questions. She murmurs, “Well, of course. I would be happier if my husband got a clean chit and got a ticket himself.” The anchor then states, “Well, this homemaker has been going to her in-laws house for a long time. But this time, she will go as a candidate to her constituency.”
This is just one instance of tangy television reporting as the state goes to the polls next month. With the Election Commission announcing a two-phase Assembly election for Assam, on April 4 and April 11 respectively, mundane election reporting has become a dramatic and sprightly affair with frenzied political activities taking place in full media glare. The satellite channels aired from Guwahati are in a tizzy, trying to get those little nuggets of information that would keep the readers glued to their television sets.
The channels have come up with interesting taglines -- “Not inside a studio but we are there in every constituency”, “From the voter’s home to a candidate’s mind”. From multihued profiles of candidates and their constituencies to heated debates on who would form the next government, to disgruntled candidates airing their grievances and even sting operations on the misdeeds of politicians – it’s a stimulating medley that is being televised. Political analysts and veteran journalists engage in heated poll-related debates.
The nascent television boom in the state has made elections an exhilarating experience. There was a time when denizens of remote villages sent one or two representatives to the district headquarter to find out who had been given a ticket to contest elections in their constituency. They used to eagerly wait in the village square to get the news and then have raucous discussions. But today, television is giving them a minute by minute account of the entire process – right from the screening process to the final ticket allotment.
Today, television has brought elections closer home. And common people are giving vent to their pent-up feelings and frustrations on the various shows on television. These voices of the masses had always been eclipsed in the whole election hungama. One such angry villager rues in front of the television screen, “Since independence, we did not get a single MLA who loved his constituency. But we have had enough of this. Now, we have seen on television how money for the different development schemes have been usurped by the politicians. We want a change now.”
The candidates too have been able to cut across geographical barriers with the people in their constituency. They are no longer mere ‘smiling photographs’ on banners and posters. They are live characters on TV, actively voicing their opinions and engaging in mud-slinging their opponents on the small screen.
Another phenomenon which has gained popularity is ‘Tandav Pratibadh’ or violent live protests. these are the most striking scenes on television today. Live telecast of ransacking of party offices and ripping apart party banners in various parts of Assam by peeved party workers seems to have a ripple effect and being replicated in various parts of the state. Of course, the television camera has a ubiquitous presence whenever there are such protests.
It was interesting to note how these channels covered how Trinamool Congress roped in disgruntled ticket seekers from major political parties like the Congress and the AGP. They showed how just few days ago, the party office was vacated by the landlord due to non-payment of rent. But now this party was the refuge of veteran big-time politicians who were denied tickets by their respective parties.
Moreover, one person who manages raise the TRP of the channels is farmer rights activist Akhil Gogoi of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti, who has launched a crusade against the incumbent Congress government. He has been holding regular press meets against the Tarun Gogoi government. In his latest press meet, he appealed to the voters out the corrupt Congress government. He made 50 ‘maha’ or major allegations of corruption against the government, the inputs for which they have acquired by using the Right to Information Act.
All the news channel seems to have its own agenda. With the channel Newslive adopting a distinct pro-Congress stand, the channel DY365 is playing the role of a constructive opposition. NETV, on the other hand is taking a moderate stand. And now even petty workers of political parties know which channel to contact when they have to air their news. And till the elections get over, viewers in remote parts of the state will wait with baited breath for any kind of ‘breaking news’.
ends
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Journalists' unions unite in Assam
This write-up appeared in www.thehoot.org
Journalists' unions unite in Assam
Journalists' organizations in the state recently came together to rally for their joint concerns. TERESA REHMAN does an overview of their demands and woes.
Posted Saturday, Mar 27 19:31:06, 2010
For a change, journalists in this trouble-torn state have woken up to demand for their rights. Recently, 10 different organizations of journalists and newspaper employees of Assam staged a sit-in demonstration and demanded early implementation of the wage board recommendations in all newspaper houses.
The 53-year-old Assam Tribune Employees' Union, one of the oldest employee's union and probably the only active employees union in a media house in Assam took a leading role in the campaign. The Union is also affiliated to the All India Newspaper Employees Federation. Saifuddin Ahmed, president of the Union rues, “It's a general impression that unions agitate and oppose the owners which in turn lead to the closure of the organization. But how can we survive if our organization closes down?”
Ahmed explains that their first priority is growth of the organization as they are dependent on it. “We co-operate with the owners with regard to any measures taken to increase circulation, advertisement or procurement of new machinery. But we are also aware of our legal rights and we hold discussions with our proprietors,” he says. He however, admits that The Assam Tribune is an ideal media house in the sense that it has so far implemented all the wage board recommendations.
Evolution of a joint platform by newspaper employees to demand for their rights dates back to 1994 when the All Assam Newspaper Employees Federation was launched. The Federation had staged agitations when employees of newspaper organisations like ‘Natun Dainik' and ‘Aajir Batori' did not get their salaries, PF or gratuity. “Many employees were sacked at will and were not even issued appointment letters. We agitated and some of us were even jailed,” adds Ahmed.
Gradually the functioning of the Federation slowed down. This latest attempt is a renewed effort to evolve a joint footing to fight for their rights. The organizations that joined hands this time are the Assam Tribune Employees' Union, Sangbadik Karma Parishad, Journalists' Union of Assam, Asom Bartajibi Sangha, Assam Press Correspondents' Union, Assam Photo Journalists' Association, Journalists' Federation of Assam, Journalists' Forum, Assam, National Federation of Newspaper Employees and All India Newspaper Employees' Federation.
These organizations voiced their concern about the apathy of the authorities towards resolving the grievance of the journalists as well as the non-journalists. “Some media houses claim that they follow the wage board recommendations but in reality they don't. Though most of the employees are aware of their rights, they are scared to raise their voice for the fear of losing their jobs. Also there is a lot of discrepancy with regard to the salaries of one rung of employees and another. These are deliberate tactics to make the employees refrain from being united in fighting for their rights,” says Ahmed.
The organizations also expressed their concern over the plight of the correspondents in the mofussil towns and villages. Most often they don't get paid though there is a provision for them under the Wage Board that they should get 1/3rd of the salary of a sub-editor with all benefits like PF, gratuity etc.
Keshab Kalita, president of the Assam Union of Working Journalists rues, “These correspondents get paid even lesser than the ones with job cards under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Most often they don't get paid. Some media houses give a fixed monthly payment which ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 1000. And they are paid Re 1 to Rs 2 per column/cm. But they do get the press card which is often misused.”
Kalita feels that these circumstances literally force a correspondent to corrupt practices. “They are literally being used as guinea pigs by the media houses. We want to bring the mofussil journalists under the ambit of the wage board,” he says. These organizations also feel that the increasing tendency to hire all employees under the contract system have absolved them of all their rights and benefits.
Photojournalists too suffer the same fate. There are no adequate technical back-up or facilities from the media houses. There is no provision for division of beats for photojournalists unlike in national media houses. Chinmoy Roy, president of Assam Photo Journalists' Association says, “We are in a bad shape. Most often our proprietors are themselves in a bad financial shape and we cannot expect them to provide us with adequate facilities. Inspite of that we are doing good work. Its more of a passion that is driving us.”
Roy, a senior photojournalist has been working without salary for more five months now. “I joined in the demonstration not for myself but for my fellow photojournalists,” he says.
Economic, social as well as security of life for journalists as well as non-journalists is something (for which) which this joint campaign is planning to strive for. They wanted an assurance from the government to compensate the family of the journalists and non- journalists killed while on duty. Till date more than 20 journalists and non-journalists have been killed in the State and the killers are yet to be identified and booked. The organizations also expressed concern over the soaring prices of all essential commodities including food items which has hit the common people hard.
Bhabesh Barua, Advisor, Assam Press Correspondents Union wants to carry on this campaign as a sustained movement with these common demands. “The proprietors don't even care to follow High Court directives forget about wage board recommendations. The ultimate step we can take is ‘Pen Down' for a day,” he says.
Teresa Rehman is a journalist based in Northeast India. She can be reached at www.teresarehman.net
Journalists' unions unite in Assam
Journalists' organizations in the state recently came together to rally for their joint concerns. TERESA REHMAN does an overview of their demands and woes.
Posted Saturday, Mar 27 19:31:06, 2010
For a change, journalists in this trouble-torn state have woken up to demand for their rights. Recently, 10 different organizations of journalists and newspaper employees of Assam staged a sit-in demonstration and demanded early implementation of the wage board recommendations in all newspaper houses.
The 53-year-old Assam Tribune Employees' Union, one of the oldest employee's union and probably the only active employees union in a media house in Assam took a leading role in the campaign. The Union is also affiliated to the All India Newspaper Employees Federation. Saifuddin Ahmed, president of the Union rues, “It's a general impression that unions agitate and oppose the owners which in turn lead to the closure of the organization. But how can we survive if our organization closes down?”
Ahmed explains that their first priority is growth of the organization as they are dependent on it. “We co-operate with the owners with regard to any measures taken to increase circulation, advertisement or procurement of new machinery. But we are also aware of our legal rights and we hold discussions with our proprietors,” he says. He however, admits that The Assam Tribune is an ideal media house in the sense that it has so far implemented all the wage board recommendations.
Evolution of a joint platform by newspaper employees to demand for their rights dates back to 1994 when the All Assam Newspaper Employees Federation was launched. The Federation had staged agitations when employees of newspaper organisations like ‘Natun Dainik' and ‘Aajir Batori' did not get their salaries, PF or gratuity. “Many employees were sacked at will and were not even issued appointment letters. We agitated and some of us were even jailed,” adds Ahmed.
Gradually the functioning of the Federation slowed down. This latest attempt is a renewed effort to evolve a joint footing to fight for their rights. The organizations that joined hands this time are the Assam Tribune Employees' Union, Sangbadik Karma Parishad, Journalists' Union of Assam, Asom Bartajibi Sangha, Assam Press Correspondents' Union, Assam Photo Journalists' Association, Journalists' Federation of Assam, Journalists' Forum, Assam, National Federation of Newspaper Employees and All India Newspaper Employees' Federation.
These organizations voiced their concern about the apathy of the authorities towards resolving the grievance of the journalists as well as the non-journalists. “Some media houses claim that they follow the wage board recommendations but in reality they don't. Though most of the employees are aware of their rights, they are scared to raise their voice for the fear of losing their jobs. Also there is a lot of discrepancy with regard to the salaries of one rung of employees and another. These are deliberate tactics to make the employees refrain from being united in fighting for their rights,” says Ahmed.
The organizations also expressed their concern over the plight of the correspondents in the mofussil towns and villages. Most often they don't get paid though there is a provision for them under the Wage Board that they should get 1/3rd of the salary of a sub-editor with all benefits like PF, gratuity etc.
Keshab Kalita, president of the Assam Union of Working Journalists rues, “These correspondents get paid even lesser than the ones with job cards under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA). Most often they don't get paid. Some media houses give a fixed monthly payment which ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 1000. And they are paid Re 1 to Rs 2 per column/cm. But they do get the press card which is often misused.”
Kalita feels that these circumstances literally force a correspondent to corrupt practices. “They are literally being used as guinea pigs by the media houses. We want to bring the mofussil journalists under the ambit of the wage board,” he says. These organizations also feel that the increasing tendency to hire all employees under the contract system have absolved them of all their rights and benefits.
Photojournalists too suffer the same fate. There are no adequate technical back-up or facilities from the media houses. There is no provision for division of beats for photojournalists unlike in national media houses. Chinmoy Roy, president of Assam Photo Journalists' Association says, “We are in a bad shape. Most often our proprietors are themselves in a bad financial shape and we cannot expect them to provide us with adequate facilities. Inspite of that we are doing good work. Its more of a passion that is driving us.”
Roy, a senior photojournalist has been working without salary for more five months now. “I joined in the demonstration not for myself but for my fellow photojournalists,” he says.
Economic, social as well as security of life for journalists as well as non-journalists is something (for which) which this joint campaign is planning to strive for. They wanted an assurance from the government to compensate the family of the journalists and non- journalists killed while on duty. Till date more than 20 journalists and non-journalists have been killed in the State and the killers are yet to be identified and booked. The organizations also expressed concern over the soaring prices of all essential commodities including food items which has hit the common people hard.
Bhabesh Barua, Advisor, Assam Press Correspondents Union wants to carry on this campaign as a sustained movement with these common demands. “The proprietors don't even care to follow High Court directives forget about wage board recommendations. The ultimate step we can take is ‘Pen Down' for a day,” he says.
Teresa Rehman is a journalist based in Northeast India. She can be reached at www.teresarehman.net
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