“Don’t blame but contribute”

Muhammad Zulqarnain Zulfi

Journalism is the practice of investigation and reporting of events, issues and trends to broad audience. Though there are many variations of journalism, the ideal is to inform intended or the target audience. Along with covering organizations and institutions such as government and business, journalism also covers cultural aspects of society such as arts and entertainment. Apart from duties of press there is something called ‘Social Responsibilty’ which every journalist has to follow but unfortunately due to lack of time as reporters are mostly involved in digging hardcore News couldn’t concentrate on R-factor but that doesn’t mean Journalists are ‘zameer faroosh’.

Talking about Kashmir during the uprising of 2010, muzafarabad chalo, shopian massacre, and sex-scandal etc press was the first victim of the crises. Mouth of the fourth-estate was gagged as government agencies felt rather believed that Press is becoming a mediocre between masses and the separatist organizations. Journalists were beaten mercilessly, tortured and even bunged from delivering their professional duties. No one said a word then not even the CM or any of the separatist leader spoke on the issue but in fact, blamed media to be corrupt and ‘zameer farosh’. One of the great separatist leader even regarded journalism as profession of hooligans and agents of Indian agencies.

Though it was shocking for every journalist working in Kashmir during the crisis but they continued to work day and night reporting the daily happenings even after tolerating wrath from both the sects of the society. Still none of the media person or sahafi spoke for the safe guard of their lives because one who chooses pen; leaves family, society and other worldly happiness behind. The only thing which matters is the betterment of society by becoming a mode of interaction between the three estates. Hence it is very wrong to point out media or the press, when you are pointing a finger towards someone then remembers always the other three are pointing towards your own self. Media is the reflection rather mirror of the society. In other words like the society like the media. If you say media is zameer faroosh that means society has no zameer. If media is ‘zameer faroosh’ then what about those bureaucrats and politicians who have amassed wealth through corruption and other illegal trades? One thing more if people associated with media are not hooligans and agents of Indian agencies but in fact have taken the profession of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The only difference is He (SAW) was messenger of Almighty Allah for the people and media people are messenger of People for the People.

Recently, Kashmir media again came into light for not informing people well and hiding the facts. This was because the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir got separated from his wife after 17 years of marriage. Friends think over it again do you think it is news and should be published? Everyone has his personal life and no one has got right to trespass the same. I am asking to you (reader) what if I will ask you a question about your personal life and then get published it in any daily. Definitely you will feel bad and even you will not hesitate to file a defamation suit against me. This should be applicable to everyone whether a common man or a person on chair. I personally appreciate the step taken by Kashmir media not to publish any story related to someone’s privacy.

The lead Cartoon of ‘srinagar times’ published on 22^nd September, 2011 clearly depicts the role of interlocutors’ report on Kashmir. The cartoonist has clearly shows the biased marking of padgonkar report. Ladakh region has got 3 marks; Jammu has got 7 while our ‘mauj kashir’ got magical ‘0’. Think over it again. ‘Zero’ discovered by Indians and when multiplied to anything becomes ‘Zero’. That means we are constant we don’t change our value. Freedom is only solution. It was just an example, check recent headlines of every daily (both Urdu as well as English) published from Srinagar you will find media is doing their bit but always cursing, criticizing and blaming doesn’t help. It only discourages the budding bearers of media torch. The people associated with media are also Kashmiri, they too have heart, they too can feel the sufferings as a common man we must respect and support them. 

You often speak out ‘Alas!’; ‘Khudaya Reham’ etc when you see a photo of dead published in newspaper think what could be the situation of the photojournalist who has clicked it. Being a journalist is not as easy as it appears because doctors and engineers are made but journalists are born. Lastly, my humble request to all my fellow Kashmiris, “Don’t blame but contribute. If you have any grievance or problem regarding Kashmir in respect of wrong or yellow journalism do express your valuable views to the editor of concerned daily and I am sure they will get in touch with you.”