News beyond headlines

In the 24x7 news cycle of our times, the political news is the most perishable. Picking the most important from the heap and placing them in the long-term policy perspective is a difficult exercise which only a well-trained Journalist can attempt. Politricks in India by BN Kumar (BNK) fully meets this test.

The 45 brief articles mine fleeting news moments which normally are forgettable. Some are not even reported across the national media as the stories are strictly regional. For instance, introduction of ATMs for health checkups in UP. A tech innovation worthy of emulation by all States. No national newspaper or channel gave this story any prominence. Take another- installation of a statue. A new story before the presentation of the Union Budget: normally such a story is overtaken by the actual budget. But BNK writes this piece that will be relevant for all future curtain raiser stories before the budget.

BNK is a veteran with over 40 years’ experience in different fields of media in Delhi, Mumbai and other places. He has seen politics and politicians at close quarters. He examines ordinary media headlines in a historical policy framework. As such, the book has a reference value and the newcomers into Journalism and those aspiring to join media as a career will find this as a valuable resource.

I am not exaggerating. For example, every now and then where calls from the economists and business captains that the Government should go for more reforms. Media loves this as it looks great as a headline for a story. BNK rightly raises the questions about this demand for ‘reform’- what and for ‘whose benefit’. Most demands for reforms are nothing but asking for concessions for businesses without linking them to the welfare of the larger population. Which reforms are needed to bring down poverty levels? Or, cutting ever increasing prices of goods and services? Corporate accountability? Is CSR working?

Another popular headline ‘End One family Rule’. No media has asked the question; ‘if one family rule is bad, will it be good for one party rule for democratic India? BNK gently raises this question and is avoided by most media. ‘Every household will be given tap water’-a government announcement hits the headline. No one has asked the question as to where to find so much water. India is exceptionally high in tapping depleting ground water. It is not even getting recharged, as pointed out in the book.

Mumbai to get a desalination plant is another headline. Clap. Clap. BNK, the environmental activist queries: why? Are the governments using the abundance of monsoon rain water that floods the city? And rain water does not cost any money, whereas a desalination plant guzzles money. Out of every 10 buckets of rainwater, eight are allowed to go to the sea. Such questions should awaken the budding Journalists to the responsibilities of their calling. A news hound is not just a reporter, but an analytical one.

The author takes note of the prime minister’s key announcements and many a clarion call to the citizens. Politely, he points out the gaps between promises and action.

I loved this piece: ‘Justice Beyond Speeches, Milords’. The chief justices of the apex court and the prime minister and other high-profile leaders often call for ‘ease of giving justice to ordinary people’. None of them has acted to deliver on this key reform. Do you know, it may take over four centuries to clear the backlog of cases before the courts? The governments are the biggest litigants. The accused and under-trails have been languishing in jails for several years.

Are the media platforms fulfilling their democratic duty? Do they hold a mirror to the rulers and the administration? They have transformed themselves into TRP-loving WMD-weapons of mass distraction. Please read this, if you are a student of mass media.

Normally, a book containing articles published in a newspaper addresses the ego of the contributor. Politricks does not fall into this category. The credit for making this possible should go to the author.

Why should anyone read this Politricks? It is difficult for the common person burdened with day-to-day problems to sift vital decisions and policies affecting his life buried in political developments and statements. BN Kumar lifts them out of the clutter and presents them for easy understanding.

(The author is Former Information Advisor to PMs & ex-Principal Information Officer, Govt of India)