The activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines or of broadcasting news on radio, television is what we call journalism as defined by Wikipedia. The definition, now or earlier, have been subjected to various centre of debates as it never suggests the line of respect to what a journalist can go on in this walk of reporting. The ethics of this profession, as pure as they seem, aren’t actually of any use and sooner or later, every second day, this profession victimizes a few or more for the interest of a few (or more) ditching all the responsibility of the profession.
Asad Ashraf, a journalist, currently working with Tehelka, had to face the same victimization by another senior from his profession as he was labeled an ‘ISIS sympathizer’ and a cover of ‘Indian Mujahideen’ in a live television debate. The debate was on the infamous and controversial ‘Batla House Encounter’ to which Asad was denying the candor. This eight-year old story was picked up for a primetime debate, as Sajid Bada (as media calls him) was allegedly reported to be seen in an ISIS video. Irony here is that Sajid Bada has already been killed not less than three times in media trials earlier. Now, what Asad did was that he challenged the authenticity of this video, which later brought him into the category of an ISIS sympathizer.
Asad was not going to leave it easily. He took front to challenge the journalist who defamed him live on a television debate.
Aligarh Activists’ Society, an organization of the students of Aligarh Muslim University, organized a talk on the media ethics as a token of solidarity with Asad Ashraf. Asad, being one of the speaker of the talk, spoke to the students and told them how this ‘media business’ works behind the scenes. Quoting what happened with him, he told that every time he raised a counter question to the anchor, it went unheard as this mic was muted and the camera directions were changed. He told us various instances, in past, where the senior journalists have used their authority to play with the ethics and the evidences.
Talha Rashadi, the spokesperson of Rashtriya Ulema Council, who also happens to be a prey of the witch-hunting of the Muslim youths on the names of terror charges. Talha was later freed after his innocence couldn’t be challenged. He, as another speaker of the talk, kept his speech revolving around the ethics, yet with a broad backup of facts. He questioned some of the biggest Media houses of the country and also did he dare to challenge him in judiciary. Quoting some leading newspapers, he proved how these media houses, dared to trench the ethics for sensitization and TRPs. He told how a breakup of an actor-actress was the centre of national media for three days continuously and on the other hand fifty thousand farmers, whose lands were at risk, were marching towards Delhi barefoot and by foot but could not attract the media.
Quoting some leading newspapers, he proved how these media houses, dared to trench the ethics for sensitization and TRPs.
The third speaker of the program, Professor Arshi Khan, has presented his views in a broader perspective where he also quoted and challenged the international media for their irresponsible deeds. He urged to the students to be more rational and critical towards the happenings in the society. He was humorous enough to quote dialogues from the famous film ‘Sholay’. Later, he spoke, only to fascinate the audience with the international politics and their influence over the media.