Editor, Goemkarponn
AERIAL VIEW
There have been consistent attacks on journalists who question or criticise the ruling dispensation. I myself have faced such backlash many times for anti-establishment stories, verbally, though.
Violence pervades the profession of journalism in India today, not much in Goa, though, but there have been some stray incidents in Goa which cannot be ignored, particularly if a politician is involved.
While physical violence is the most visible manifestation, journalists in India face a range of threats, including censorship, economic hardships, political pressures and job insecurity.
Journalists are routinely insulted, threatened, intimidated, arrested, booked and silenced through gag orders and concocted charges by the State. Those who speak up against the Government are also at risk of being booked for sedition or arrested under draconian laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (which unilaterally designates individuals as terrorists without the need to provide evidence), the National Security Act and the Public Security Act (PSA).
SURAJ NANDREKAR
Editor, Goemkarponn
Politicians and journalists always share a bittersweet relationship, but any politician rarely attacks a journalist over a question.
The incident that happened at Pernem on Tuesday wherein the MLA Pravin Arlekar attacked a video journalist of a local channel is unacceptable in any sense.
Firstly, Arlekar arrived 2 hours late for a function and made the organisers and media wait. When the journalist questioned him, he snatched his mobile and said, “if you can’t wait, your can go. I don’t need your coverage.” This speaks volumes of Arlekar’s arrogance, who is not even a minister.
There have been consistent attacks on journalists who question or criticise the ruling dispensation. I myself have faced such backlash many times for anti-establishment stories, verbally, though.
Violence pervades the profession of journalism in India today, not much in Goa, though, but there have been some stray incidents in Goa which cannot be ignored, particularly if a politician is involved.
While physical violence is the most visible manifestation, journalists in India face a range of threats, including censorship, economic hardships, political pressures and job insecurity.
Journalists are routinely insulted, threatened, intimidated, arrested, booked and silenced through gag orders and concocted charges by the State. Those who speak up against the Government are also at risk of being booked for sedition or arrested under draconian laws such as the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (which unilaterally designates individuals as terrorists without the need to provide evidence), the National Security Act and the Public Security Act (PSA).
Videojounalists or photographers are at the receiving end most of the time, and I remember my friends Soiru Komarpant and Sagun Gaude facing such incidents in the past.
What happened in this incident is shocking as Arlekar arrived two hours late and made the media wait as if there was no other work for the media rather than covering his function.
Of course, many leaders, including Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant, arrive late for the function and in his own style, he says, “Sorry for the late”. No matter whether his English is right or wrong, at least he apologises to the organisers, the people and the media.
But here, in this case, Arlekar not only refused to accept his mistake but had the audacity to insult and assault a journalist for questioning.
It has been more than 48 hours, and Arlekar is yet to tender his public apology.
If the journalist from Pernem in particular and Goa as a whole want to maintain their dignity and self-respect, they must raise their voices against such assaults, and Pernem journos would do well if they boycott Arlekar in totality till he tenders an unconditional apology.
However, here, the media houses’ interest is at stake because the politicians are their biggest clients and give the majority of advertising revenue; hence, they want the journalists to compromise and not vice-versa.
I remember, in my past organisation, after I did a major expose against a minister, I was told to meet him and settle the issue. My bosses did not say “compromise or apologise” but said to “settle the issue”, which I bluntly refused.
This is where the Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ) has to intervene, but sadly, the less spoken about this organisation, the better.
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