Even before civilization was a word and there was no language, people have had a relationship with those among them who communicate. By those who bring information and those who take it. The earliest journalists were those in the villages who roamed from house to house making announcements and giving them community news.
Then came those informal journalists who raised people’s voices, spoke out against injustices and demanded action. Then came the leaders who did not always win elections but moulded and inspired social and political thought through their letters and writing to each other. These collections are now precious and used as holy texts on politics and governance.
While there are four pillars in society it is the pillar of the press that has always been closest to the people. The reason is simple. Politicians are not available after the elections and going to the judiciary is not always possible or affordable and it is time-consuming. It is the reporter who is the friend philosopher and guide. It is the reporter who is the carrier of voices, of demands, of views. The reporter lives in the hearts of people.
This has been an age-old solidarity-based network that has kept communities, then civilizations and then democracies together. And the reason why this network is trusted is because it is there and visible. It is before you each day, speaking your language, recording your views, asking questions on your behalf, demanding answers on your behalf, and acting as your informant researcher and detective.
People embraced the benefits of a fair newspaper
When it came to the fight and justice- the opinion poll and the language agitation- the twin aspiration of the people of Goa, the role of the newspaper you hold in your hand and see on your screen, as you read this, is surely embedded.
In societies across the world, the newspaper stands as the fellow soldier and partner in battle. Thus, while there is talk of a trust deficit in today’s media let there be no mistake that the deficit is towards the galaxy of individuals who have personally led people to this distrust. This is not reflective of any ill will or lack of trust towards the fourth estate which continues to be the only pillar that people are holding up.
The relationship between the people and the press has been historic, the relationship flows in the blood stream of Indians and it cannot take a few individuals to end this relationship of blood.
The trust and belief that people have in the press person is deep and historical
In remote Indian villages the postman didn’t just bring letters but windows to the world outside.
The local reporter is the one who people went to when the police were not listing a complaint, or if there was a dispute over land and property or if there was a scheme or policy that the locals didn’t understand. The reporter has always been the voice of justice and the connection to the other pillars of democracy.
An article in the venerable Deccan Herald of Bangalore published on August 15, 2020 titled “How the Press Participated in India’s freedom struggle” is important reading to get a historical perspective of the role of the press in India’s freedom struggle.
The points raised would give most Indians today goose pimples. The press didn’t let India get divided.
Read on
The British Raj’s strategy was to use Hindu-Muslim discord as a weapon to distract people from any attempt at revolting on a nationwide scale
“Many newspapers took note of the Raj’s strategy of using Hindu-Muslim discord as a weapon to distract people from any real attempt at revolting on a nationwide scale. In 1857, during the First War of independence, the newspaper Payam-e-Azadi took to spreading the message that the British would continue to divide and rule and that people had to stand up against it. Alongside that, existed three newspapers: Samachar Sudhavarashan, Doorbeen and Sultan-ul-Akhbar, which were suppressed for their critical view of the Raj.
The British, of course, never took anything that might threaten their rule lying down. The Raj instituted a number of censorship measures from the early 1800s, at least one of which still survives to this day: the Sedition Clause. But the Sedition clause was alone not enough for the British: they instituted the Vernacular Press Act in 1878, aimed squarely at suppressing non-English papers from criticising the Raj, for the voice against the colonial rule, for the voice against the colonial rule had risen greatly after the famine in 1876.
Indian newspapers too refused to take gag orders and threats of prison lying down. Read more.
What is the lesson here? During the darkest and most difficult days of the freedom struggle the press ensured that communities weren’t divided
Indians of today have a debt of gratitude they will never be able to pay towards Samachar Sudhavarashan, Doorbeen, Sultan-ul-Akhbar and of course Payam-e-Azadi, which ensured that no communal discord was spread.
For journalism to keep fighting, every true citizen should be a journalist, for voices to be heard
The constant outpouring of people’s input is the only buoyancy that keeps democracy afloat.
For centuries, from the time civilization found a voice and language, communication has been the founding stone of democracy.
And while the means and ease of communication have multiplied like several hydra-headed creatures, it is the responsible and principled press that you leave home with and come home to. And pray each day that this press remains a part of your lives as your representative.
