So Not a Journalist Am I
April 27th 2010 19:49
Once upon a time, I dreamt of carrying my writer’s dreams to the realms of journalism – creative, constructive, and unconventional journalism. I wanted to be the living nightmare of every conniving, monstrous Member of Parliament, who never had the scruples while embezzling from money set aside for welfare, or while setting their henchmen to do away with the innocent coroner. Somewhere in my head I had conjured up the possibility of employing journalism to humble away the awful politicians of Bangladesh who have sired and mothered only corruption and poverty. Success, I thought, meant to tread all the paths forking from journalism which no journalist had ever dared to tread.
But, becoming a journalist, I have realised recently, will only humiliate my principles, and humiliation of my principles can only mean an enormous personal failure unequalled by all types of failures. Journalism, folks, is an insult to Freedom of Speech. Journalism is simply playing by the perceptions of editors and publishers, and frankly speaking, I’m not your average fellow who wouldn’t mind having their articles and voices edited. You have to be really naive to actually believe that the editing is limited to inserting the occasionally forgotten comma or period. Editing is beyond that.
Editing means chopping off every word that may threaten the debauchery of a vile patron. Editing means hammering away news of the evils that bigwigs perpetrate. Editing means laying before people a handful of lies on a silver platter so beautiful that somehow, readers wind up believing the whole caboodle of lies.
Don’t believe me?
Why is it that virtually every news paper reports identically the same, rarely carrying a voice of dissent? Why is it that every Tom, Dick, and Harry from the world of journalism seem to bear the same opinion? Is it because they alone are close to reality, or is it because they have been paid by the powerful corruption-mongers, who themselves have been bought with promising Swiss bank accounts and unquestionable power to get away with murder? Why is it that half the time I find myself more educated about issues in the Middle East than the reporter of New York Times?
Any self-respecting journalist shouldn’t let themselves be moulded into puppets of a handful of bigwigs. Sadly, journalism is synonymous with selling oneself to the notions and schemes of a bunch of lawless, moneyed, wretched denizens. Fact is, most journalists kick-start with noble intentions, but it’s sad to see them free-fall into the clutches of scheming, wealthy patrons in the name of sustaining themselves. I’m glad to say, I’ve opted out of choosing journalism as a career for myself. I’d rather be a writer without a slimy editor watching over my shoulders.
Some have endured the test of evil. Some were lucky to have noble patrons and editors. But the ‘some’ fall in the minority – a category I’m not sure I’ll be able to squeeze myself into. For most, a pen, a notepad, a laptop, and a camera don’t grant Freedom of Speech; a lesson the institutions forget to teach Mass Communication majors.
Nevertheless, if you have been nestling decent intentions of landing a job in the journalism sector, then I’ll be rooting for you by the sidelines with all the banners, snow-sprays, spray strings, and string-quartets. I’ll be backed by a team of dissidents, who want to hear about the unseen side of the coins that go unreported. And you my friend, shall be inspired to dig beyond what they let you, and report as an independent, unedited voice. Together we shall reinvigorate Freedom of Speech.
Much queasy love,
Maimoona Rahman
| 111 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
subscribe to this blog
Comment by Journeywoman
Great Hair Style Tips
The Mama Sutra
I Dream of Hollywood
Fashion Peach
Ah, so true.... and you no doubt noticed that I grossly paraphrased this quote! It's all about the bottom line, and anything that doesn't go with what the editor wants (which is, for the sake of their job, what the media corporation owner wants) gets hacked to pieces.
When I was studying I was as Woodward and Bernstein as the next one. It wasn't until I finally hit the industry that I realised we can't all be investigative dynamos. In fact, most of us won't even be writing a feature article until we've left our twenties.
There's always blogging! It may not pay quite as well but at least it's all you.
Comment by Dianna G
I Wish This Was 42
Fictional Worlds
Such honesty in your words! You might never make a living, but here you can blog all of your thoughts. I look forward to seeing what you have to say about today's issues.
I'm glad you chose to join us here at Orble.
~Dianna