Manipal: The chief guest for the valedictory function of the Manipal Media Students Convention (MMSC) and also one of the key speakers during the two day event, the renowned journalist Paranjoy Guha Takurta had a chat with team TMJ.

Q: How many years has it been since you entered the field of Journalism?
A: More than 30 years now.

Q: Has it changed?
A: In some contexts it has seen a dramatic change, in some ways it has not changed at all. Some changes were for the better while others for worse.

Q: Could you elaborate on the changes that were for the better?
A: The size and technology has changed a lot. In sheer size the growth of media has been immense. In 1991 there was only one broadcasting channel and now, in 2008 we have over 100 channels in all languages. In this aspect the change has been dramatic and very good. The spread of media and the technology have also improved. To a certain extent media is also making the society more transparent, which helps in reducing corruption. Many sting operations that were conducted have unveiled a lot of hidden dark secrets.

Q: So which changes in your opinion were not good?
A: I don’t know if there has been too much change but at the risk of sounding contradictory, I think not enough is being done to expose the corrupt. More could be done. With the increase of competition in media one expects better standards but what is happening is that the standards are deteriorating. With respect to media’s aim to grab the attention of the public by doing anything and everything, it has changed a lot. The Times of India broke the proverbial wall between editorial and advertisements. We see an article or a new product being launched and we don’t know if that company has paid for it or not. These are matters of journalistic concerns. The news organizations enter financial agreements with existing or potential advertisers.

Q: Is there any area where media has not changed?
A: There is. Media still caters to a varied large population. In spite of commercialization there is a section still upholding public interest. Free expression is integral to a democracy and so is tolerance. Media has always respected what people believe in and respected the opinion of the minority. It has helped the opinion of the minorities to be heard. The media has maintained its respect to the heterogeneity of the society.

Q: But we do see corruption in media.
A: There is corruption. It is a fact that cannot be denied but I am still hopeful. There are two ways by which corruption can be viewed. One is the easy way out- Cynicism. We can say that it is there, it will be there and there is nothing we can do and learn to live like that. The other way is a little tougher. We remain hopeful and keep working and trying to change. I believe that as long as there is one honest voice among 100 dishonest ones there is hope. Even if the overwhelming majority is corrupted the honest minority can bring about a revolution. I am still optimistic and I will still say that crooks will not always triumph. As long as there is one honest journalist I have faith.

Q: How far do you think the Internet will change society?
A: It all depends on you (the youth and the common man). It depends on how it will be used, for good or for bad. It can be opium for the masses or cocaine for the classes or it can be used not only to educate but also to empower the citizen.

Q: Any message for today’s journalists?
A: Today’s journalists burns too many CDs but my advice would be burn more leather, do more field work than just burning CDs.

Q: What would like to say about MMSC?
A: I think that it is a very commendable effort and not only should it be made annual but it should be completely left up to the students. To learn in college is very different from actually working in the field. Such an event where everything has been organized by the students from scratch is very impressive.

Q: What would you like to say about MIC?
A: I have heard a lot of acronyms for MIC. I have heard of Methyl Iso-cyanide that resulted in the largest industrial disaster in the world. It could also be Minister in-charge but Manipal Institute of Communication is the best acronym for MIC.  

Sub-edited by Nina Chengappa