NL Hafta

"What is the role of the media? The role of the media is to make money for its owners. Its function is to inform people...and give them news," says journalist Palagummi Sainath in a conversation with Newslaundry.On June 16, People's Archive of Rural India's founder-editor Sainath delivered the 1st Neelabh Mishra Memorial Lecture on how corporatisation of the media harms Indian democracy. Newslaundry spoke to Sainath about media ownership, freedom of the press, priorities of Indian newsrooms, among several other issues related to the Indian media landscape.Speaking on the corporatisation of media, Sainath says, "[In] corporate-owned media, journalism and journalists can never be free. He also added that whatever freedom there was, even in that set-up, has been swiftly shrinking. "There are very fine journalists...but the space they have to function has shrunk quite rapidly." Quoting American journalist AJ Liebling, Sainath says, "Freedom of the press is meant for those who own one." He adds that when it comes to freedom of the press, one will have to dismantle corporate monopoly.But Sainath warns that the answer to corporate monopoly isn't state monopoly. "We've to think of various new forms -- collectives, cooperatives, individual initiatives, a lot of these...," he adds, before speaking about some of the threats posed by corporate ownership of the media. "Corporate ownership destroys diversity, it stifles smaller but important voices. It destroys journalist's freedom by converting the job market of a journalist into contracts, where earlier they have very solid, tenured [jobs]," Sainath says. Later, speaking about the Working Journalists Act, Sainath adds, "The Working journalist Act in itself, it was a very fine Act. It has been nakedly violated."Speaking about the dangers posed by corporate media ownership, Sainath says that corporate ownership enforces self-censorship. "You stop saying things, you stop doing things...because you want to keep your job. You've got your family to support. These are real problems for our ordinary journalists in the real world," Sainath says, adding, "And then you also start recruiting a generation that is groomed and socialised in your economic philosophy -- that sees everything through the eyes of their owners. Then you don't even have to threaten or bully...because there are questions of shared values. Corporate ownership [also] destroys diversity, it stifles smaller but important voices."Speaking about the recent spate of journalistic killings, Sainath adds, "I don't want to rank victimhood, for me each one of these was a gigantic tragedy...but we deny legitimacy to the small-town journalist. That is what would be a correct way of putting it," he says. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode of Reporters Without Orders begins with a farewell to Nidhi, our Kashmir correspondent. We are sad to see her go but wish her the best for her future endeavours.Also on the panel, we have Cherry, Amit, Rohin and Sumedha. The discussion kicks off with Jammu and Kashmir's former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti's press conference in the aftermath of Bharatiya Janata Party’s withdrawal of support.Nidhi, who was at the press conference, commenting on the nature of the relationship between the People's Democratic Party (PDP) and the BJP, says, “From day one, it has been a tough marriage. Especially, in the last few months, there have been mounting disagreements between the two parties, especially post-Kathua and the ceasefire, and Shujaat Bukhari’s killing. I spoke to one of the senior members of the PDP, and they basically said that it is not shocking.” Speaking of her own experiences in the aftermath of Bukhari’s murder, Nidhi says, “...today, I was going to Pulwama to cover another incident and three to four taxi drivers cancelled on me. Locals were unwilling to come with me because they don’t want to be seen with an Indian journalist.” She adds, “Other journalists have also been warned not be seen with a non-local out in the field because now you never know who is watching.”Assuming that the ‘Plot to Kill Prime Minister’ news story would be over, Sumedha watched TV news. She says, “What caught my eye was that there were these promos talking about this big exposé, telling you who the masterminds are. So I thought, I should definitely look for what the exposé has to bring to me.”  She adds, “Unfortunately, even after an hour, I couldn’t find what the exposé was trying to establish. It was a hollow exposé, and a lot of noise for nothing.”Rohin shares the story of a medical student who left a shocking note before committing suicide. The victim was unable to pay high fees and was allegedly subjected to harassment on behalf of the college administration. He says, “The reason is that when the fees were raised, she had approached Jabalpur High Court, after which the college administration started harassing her on a personal level.” He adds, “Because she was a middle-class person and she couldn’t pay that kind of fees, she wrote a letter to her parents saying she didn’t want to trouble them, which is why she committed suicide. This is nowhere to be found in mainstream media.”Amit talks about Arvind Kejriwal’s decision to revoke his dharna. Voicing his opinions on Kejriwal’s supposed obstructionist behaviour, Amit says, “When the IAS officers are saying that there is no strike in Delhi, they are partially correct, because the AAP is saying the IAS officers are on ‘partial’ strike. All these officers are coming to work, they are reporting to the secretariat, but they are Amit asks, “Is there any sentiment amongst the locals that this whole idea of using violence to achieve your ultimate goal that is Azadi is useless...Even the voices like Shujaat Bukhari are being allegedly murdered by these gangs.”Cherry speaks about a report in The Hoot which revealed that the main accused in the murder of journalist Sudip Datta Bhaumik has allegedly threatened the prime witness in the case. Cherry also speaks about a plethora of hashtags floating around the BJP-PDP break up. She observes, “As soon as the news broke that the BJP was withdrawing its support from the PDP, hashtags like #BJPdumpsPDP or #BJPdisownsPDP were being circulated but #BJPabandonsKashmir was given a miss."Listen up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this podcast, Abhinandan and Rajyasree discuss celebrities, controversies, review the promo of Gold starring Akshay Kumar and Netflix's Lust Stories.Rajyasree felt that Atul Kochhar’s reaction to Quantico was extreme, to put it mildly. She also comments, “He’s a bit of a fool also because he’s sitting in Dubai, an Islamic country and you’re trash talking Muslims without thinking that there’ll be some repercussions.” Abhinandan adds, “Not only is he a bigot, he's also an idiot!”Rajyasree recaps the whole episode of Virat Kohli’s video post of his girlfriend Anushka Sharma rebuking a person for littering the road.  As an experienced A/V professional, Abhinandan says, “Even when you consume video you must always question when you see a video what happened exactly fifteen seconds before this and what happened fifteen seconds after this.” He proceeds to explain his point by recreating a hypothetical dialogue. He concludes, “In this whole episode, no one comes out looking good. So next time, you have to do a good deed, do it and shut up.”Rajyasree talks about The Graham Norton Show episode in which Rihanna was light-heartedly called a ‘wine glass thief’. The episode quickly became a meal for media houses in India who ran it with horrible headlines, and the duo discusses the merit of the media coverage.  Abhinandan describes the promo release of the film Gold. The duo finds the promo utterly bad.They talk about the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2018 in which Robbie Williams who performed, showed his ‘middle-finger’ on air.Expressing dissatisfaction on his short appearance, Rajyasree says, “I thought it was blah...He just sang four songs and he left.”Rajyasree also talks about how Robbie Williams once fit one of the ‘Spice Girls’ - his then-girlfriend in a suitcase to evade media.Speaking of the World Cup anthem, Abhinandan says, “It’s a shit World Cup song.”They discuss the new Netflix film-series, Lust Stories. Abhinandan says, “Either the directors did not get the brief, that this is lust stories or they made four films on whatever the fuck you want and then Netflix said let's club them together and call them Lust Stories.” He adds, “Putting in a random sex scene in an otherwise complicated relationship kind of defining film does not become a lust story. If you’re calling something Lust Stories you should explore lust.”  He proceeds to enumerate his observations on the film and delivers a rant on Karan Johar.Rajyasree speaks about the fact that after 32 years of operation, Pixar Animation Productions has finally released a short film directed by a woman. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

श्रीनगर में गुरुवार की शाम राइजिंग कश्मीर के संपादक और उनके साथ मौजूद दो निजी सुरक्षाकर्मियों की अज्ञात हमलावरों ने गोली मारकर हत्या कर दी. बताया जा रहा है शुजात अपने दफ्तर से घर जाने के लिए निकले ही थे तभी उन पर यह हमला हुआ. सुनिए शुजात बुखारी की हत्या और कश्मीर में पत्रकारिता की चुनौतियों पर क्या है पत्रकारों की राय.इस सप्ताह चर्चा के पैनल में शामिल थे विस्फोट डॉट कॉम के संपादक संजय तिवारी, ओपिनियन लेखक आनंद वर्धन और न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री रिपोर्टर अमित भारद्वाज. अतुल चौरसिया, न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री के कार्यकारी संपादक ने चर्चा का संचालन किया. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

राइजिंग कश्मीर के संपादक शुजात बुखारी की अज्ञात हमलावरों द्वारा गोली मारकर हत्या, अखिलेश यादव पर सरकारी बंगले को क्षतिग्रस्त करने का आरोप, दिल्ली में आम आदमी पार्टी की सरकार और गवर्नर के बीच तनातनी, अलीगढ़ मुस्लिम विश्वविद्यालय में स्नातक की छात्रा पर धार्मिक भावनाएं आहत करने का मुकदमा आदि इस हफ्ते न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री चर्चा के प्रमुख विषय रहें.इस सप्ताह चर्चा के पैनल में शामिल थे विस्फोट डॉट कॉम के संपादक संजय तिवारी, ओपिनियन लेखक आनंद वर्धन और न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री रिपोर्टर अमित भारद्वाज. अतुल चौरसिया, न्यूज़लॉन्ड्री के कार्यकारी संपादक ने चर्चा का संचालन किया. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of NL Hafta, our in-house team of Manisha Pande and Raman Kirpal is joined by two guest panelists -- Saikat Dutta, Asiatimes South Asia Editor and Saif Ullah Khan, Deputy Editor of DailyO.The discussion kicks off with the ‘plot to assassinate the PM’. Manisha asks Saikat, “Are there really ‘urban Naxals’ out there? What is the sense in this term?”Elaborating on the term, Saikat says, “If you look at Maoist literature...they have a lot of literature on urban warfare but they look at it from a military terminology, where they look at how to conduct urban operations, both, which will include psychological operations, information operations as well as military operations but they look at it from a very military perspective and that kind of literature is available.”  He further says, “Even the Naxals themselves or the Maoists have never talked about anything called ‘urban Maoist’ as a separate phenomenon because for them, class warfare is across -- whether rural or urban.” He adds, “This is a deliberate political term which some people of the Right have brought to discredit just about anybody who challenges their narrative.”Saif speaks of two writers, Arun Ferriera and Vernon Gonsalves, being arrested in 2007 on similar grounds. "Again, some letters were leaked and Arun was supposed to be, according to Maharashtra Police, one of the Communications experts. So he was arrested. And the trial went on for four years. And these leaked letters never even made it to the trial. So it was just about painting a certain narrative of a certain individual. Vernon was arrested in August 2007. And again, the trial went on for seven years. And he was supposed to be one of the people handling the finances of the Maoists.”He further adds, “Interestingly, there was a Narco analysis that was done on Arun Ferreira in which according to the leaks he had said it was the Shiv Sena and ABVP that had paid them...At that time it was the Congress and 2009 General Elections. Right now, you’re looking at 2019.”Raman says, “I think it was completely a plant! And 2019 elections, this was more for persecuting people rather than prosecuting.”Saikat says, “Here you have a plot allegedly to kill the Prime Minister, forget about the NIA, even the Central Bureau of Investigation has not been brought in.”  He adds, “Nobody’s talking about bringing in the Intelligence Bureau, nobody’s talking about bringing in the NIA or the CBI. That itself is a great indicator of what this plot is all about.”Manisha puts across a question to panelists on whether the ‘plot to kill Modi’ news makes up for a propaganda problem or a genuine lacuna in beat reporting.The discussion then proceeds to AAP’s protest against LG Anil Baijal. Saif assesses the situation from a political prism of how AAP perceives 2019 elections and its role in it. He says, “AAP is trying to use this ploy to gain some headline, to gain some sympathy in the run-up. It is very much a political thing they’re doing keeping 2019 in mind.”Saikat says, “Their first instinct is to become a victim and play that victim card and seek sympathy.” Expressing serious concern he says, “If the bureaucracy can cook a snook at an elected government with such an overwhelming majority, I think that’s dangerous for democracy. And it shows that the central government can go to any lengths to undermine the opposition.” Raman says that the BJP feared Kejriwal the most when he came in. “So they started building up a narrative around him that this man is chaotic,” he said.Listen up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

NL Hafta has gone behind the paywall, but we love our listeners. So, here's a little sneak peek into the complete episode where Manisha is back as host. And we have two guests on the panel to discuss #UrbanNaxal, plot to kill the PM, Assam lynching and Atul Kochhar’s tweets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Reporters Without Orders, Cherry is joined by Rohin and Amit. Parthshri Arora from Vice India also joins the panel.Informing the panel about Delhi government’s idea of statehood, Amit says, “When covering Aam Aadmi Party, there will be very dull days and there’ll be active days, and the days when the party or its leaders are active is the best as well as the worst day for any reporter covering that beat.”Speaking of media's coverage of the issue, Amit agrees with Cherry and states that for a news piece ‘breaking’ in the city, it [Delhi statehood] should have seen more coverage.Parth says that AAP does have a history of beefing up with Big Media. To which Amit replies, “Depends...there’ll be times when AAP will be cheering for news organisations and editors and there’ll be times when they’ll be completely harsh and the attack will be very below the belt.”Rohin speaks about the Aligarh Muslim University controversy where a couple of students are facing criticism and a case of blasphemy because of a picture circulated on social media. The picture showed these AMU students drinking beer at a bar during Ramazan. He expresses resentment against the university administration and says, “If a university cannot support its students by expanding their limited freedom, if it cannot encourage students to challenge established notions; then that university going on to produce meritorious PhD scholars won't matter -- because it won’t make a better society.”Amit and Rohin speak about the bias in media coverage. Rohin points out that sections of the media refrained from covering this incident despite our knowledge of their general viewpoint on such matters. He explains, “They do not want a debate on the issue. They are simply bent upon creating a demarcation. They won’t hold a talk on ‘blasphemy’. But they’d create a divide by saying things like why so much noise over a Muslim’s faith being hurt and not...(when a Hindu icon is disrespected...). This only emboldens the courage of fringe groups of all sections.”Parth speaks about Priyanka Chopra-starrer Quantico and Rega Jha's from Buzzfeed India. He says, “In terms of influence, which 26-year-old has ever wielded this much influence online, on discourse, on feminist issues, on anything really...And she has now built this empire, the biggest, most influential youth media company in the country and now she’s just quitting. I think that’s incredibly big news! And she will be a thought leader. She will be so many things for the next thirty years. And we’ll get to see it.”According to Amit, Akhilesh Yadav vacating his official bungalow was underplayed by sections of the mainstream media.Cherry discusses the issue of Puthiya Thalaimurai TV that was booked by Tamil Nadu police for statements made by its guest during a debate. Parth says that in online media, the op-eds are run with a disclaimer at the end. So maybe, you could run a disclaimer that panelist’s views are their own. "Even then it's a grey area," he adds.Amit brings the panel's attention back to the issue of Delhi's statehood and Parth discusses Kejriwal's media strategy. To know more, listen up! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Awful & Awesome has our hosts reviewing Rajnikanth-starrer Kaala and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Rajyasree talks about the Netflix series, The Staircase, which is a documentary on a murder investigation spanning 16 years. Abhinandan has some thoughts to share about the latest World Cup anthem. Rajyasree also discusses, “ABC sticking their neck out” for Priyanka Chopra in the latest Quantico controversy.Abhinandan seems to be a little late to the Veere De Wedding party but can't resist sharing his views on it. He says, “I enjoyed it. I didn’t think it was great and I didn’t get knocked out." He mentions the weakness of the film being that “it's made by a guy, so it is his kind of view” about women. He adds, “While it set out to be Dil Chahta Hai, it ended up being Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara."Getting to the films, Rajyasree states, “This is the first Rajinikanth film I have watched...it was surprisingly understated." Abhinandan sheds light on the plot of the film and says, "There is a character Kaala, who is the head of a slum, Dharavi, the largest slum...and his battle against a powerful politician/ builder." Rajyasree lauds the director for his explicit politics portrayed in the film. Abhinandan agrees that it is a “very brave film to make”.Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is next on the list. Abhinandan is definitely unimpressed. He calls it a “really crappy film” that “sucked like a vacuum cleaner”. Abhinandan talks about the Jurassic Park concept that moulded itself into a movie in 1993 and how the portrayal of the same thing has worn out the content and the audience. He adds, “Now its just a money-making thing."The suicide of chef Anthony Bourdain has left both Rajyasree and Abhinandan stunned. Abhinandan talks about Bourdain's life on the road and the possibilities of that contributing to his depression. He adds, "(It is) lonely being on the road." Rajyasree informs us that “he had referred to his depression” in an interview before. She mentions, “He was a very intense man.”The release of the new World Cup anthem, ‘Live it up’ sung by Nicky Jam, Will Smith and Era Istrefi hasn't impressed Abhinandan much. Rajyasree says, “I only remember Shakira and Ricky Martin had sung one." Abhinandan informs, “World Cup anthems, there is no system for them to be chosen." He also adds, “If your song gets picked, the whole fucking world knows you." Rajyasree fangirls over Will Smith. She also talks about ‘Soccer Aid’ started by Robbie Williams in 2006 through which “they raise money for UNICEF…these players play for free”. Abhinandan says, “Football does so much good in the world”.Netflix series, The Staircase has got Rajyasree raving over how good it is! According to her, the documentary “has been shot over 16 years….first 8 episodes were originally aired in 2004”. Like other murder mysteries, this also doesn't really have a conclusion” but it is “spectacular the way they follow the family and the case, Rajyasree says. Abhinandan talks about the nature of documentaries and what adds to their credibility. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week’s Just Sports is all about the World Cup and football madness. Both Samar Khan and Rahul Puri feel this World Cup is quite different because don’t have Netherlands, US, Chile and Italy playing. Rahul thinks the “number of countries in the category of 'can win it' has been reduced by two”. Clearly, this World Cup is not about the old favourites.Samar says: “It’s quite an open World Cup with many teams. The bookmakers favourite is Brazil with Neymar, Coutinho and Gabriel Jesus. Brazil is the perennial favourite. But you cannot write off anyone this time. There is Germany, there is France.” Rahul agrees. He thinks the World Cup is quite open.Talking about Brazil, Rahul thinks it’s a “great offensive force” but he is sceptical that they would “play the most exciting football”. He thinks France is the most balanced side to watch out for. Rahul seems to agree: “They are a superb side, they have got goals, they have defensive solidity, midfield organisation and quality.”  But Rahul seems a little more sceptical than Samar since he thinks France can get “too defensive”.Both of them talk about critics view about “ageing players” in Germany’s team. Rahul thinks they have got the “temperament, they know how to grind off games, and they are in a crucial group”.Talking about England, Samar feels they are “a perennial hyped-up group” who have the players but don’t make it. Rahul differs from Samir’s assessment of talent in England’s team. He thinks this England team is not the best one compared to the ones they have sent for previous World Cups. Rahul strongly feels they won’t make it beyond quarterfinals. Talking of the “underdogs”, both think that Belgium is a strong challenger. Listen up. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.