MJ Akbar | Photo: Venkat Desirazu
Manipal:MJ Akbar is considered to be one of the best editors of this generation. He was recently unceremoniously removed from the position of Editor-in- Chief of Asian Age. He has been involved in starting one thing or the other in every decade. In the 70s he started ‘Sunday’ magazine, in the 80s ‘The Telegraph’, 90s the ‘Asian Age’ and very soon he is going to launch his own new magazine ‘Covert’. He has also written over half a dozen books including ‘Byline’, ‘Blood Brothers’, ‘India: The Siege Within’, ‘The Shade of Swords’, ‘Kashmir: Behind the Vale’, ‘Nehru: The Making of India’, ‘Riot After Riot’ . He recently gave a talk to the students of Manipal Institute of Communication.
Q: How long have you been in the field of journalism?
A: I started as a trainee in ‘Times of India’ in 1971 and then I went to ‘Illustrated Weekly’. After that I went on to ‘Onlooker’, ‘Sunday’ and so on. But I wrote my first article when I was in 11th standard.
Q: According to Rahul Singh (son of Khushwant Singh) “The four Fs now rule the Indian Press- films, fashion, food and frolic.” Do you also think that Indian newspapers have become brands and products?
A: There’s nothing wrong with it. It depends on how much achar (pickle) you put in it. You can’t make achar your staple food. It all comes down to judgement, judgement, and judgement. You have no social obligation to be boring.
Q: Are you working on a new book?
A: Yes. It is called ‘Meaning of a Minority’.
Q: Could you tell us more about your new magazine ‘Covert’? When will it come out?
A: It is a political magazine. It deals with politics with a light touch. I always say that my preferred instrument is a scalpel and not a sword. The magazine will definitely be unusual. It will come out around mid- May.
Q: Do you think that bloggers can take up issues that newspapers can not and make a difference?
A: Blogging is a form of argument. As technology comes in more arguments will take place. We have been arguing for a long time.
Q: What do you think about citizen journalists? Do you think they can be called journalists?
A: What is the opposite of citizen journalism? It is ruling class journalism. What’s required for journalism is knowledge. Everyone can be a bad journalist.
Q: What do you have to say about sting operations done in the name of investigative journalism?
A: We must respect others privacy. We must not cross the invisible line that lies in between both of them. I know I won’t do it. You should never bring private lives into public space. It’s a great thing that certain issues have not been brought up such as the PM’s illegitimate daughter. We are far more mature.
Q: What would you like to say to budding journalists?
A: Don’t wither away too fast. Keep budding. The most important thing about journalism is to never lower your head. Keep it high. I remember what I said in my farewell speech, I said that we could not be bought.
Q: According to Mr TJS George you are “one of the best editors of this generation”. What does it feel like to have such a high reputation?
A: Do you want me to be honest or modest? Well it feels good but it comes with a sense of responsibility. If I had surrendered six months ago I’m sure he wouldn’t have said the same thing.
Sub-edited by Nina Chengappa |
