Media Gimmics

Media looses objectivity
Ratheesh Kaliyadan

Did you listen today's ( Nov 21, 2011) Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhoomi? The impartial and independent research oriented journalists of these two news papers investigated in the same field and brought out contradicting findings. The ordinary people who are addicted to the newspaper argue in street for their 'own' newspaper's view.The subject of inquiry is CPI(M)'s area conference in Nileswar, Kasaragod district.

Malayalamanoram here brought a first page news with blue title in a blue box. It says the Pinarayi fraction caught Nileswar area committee. strong supporter of Pinarayi became the secretary in a cleverly  attempt of Pinarayi fraction. The reporter elaborates their reasons with 'credible and authentic' sources. They are supplementing the story with future impact of the  election.

Mathrubhoomi's reporter ascertained that the Nileswar area committee sustained by the VS fraction.The committee members elected, extracts of discussions and support of various local committees used to support their view.

The contradictory versions of the  two gigantic news papers itself make a threat to believably of these news papers.Fraction is a reality in CPI(M) is a reality. This does not means all conferences and election procedures are part of it. Such a generalisation of the issue of fraction does not help any news media for a large extent.Objectivity, the paramount value of reporting is a line drawn in the water tub. Though you can't be objective, don't try to mislead and cheat your readers. At-least keep a minimum level of professional ethics in making stories is our liability.

climate change

 CSE's South Asian Media Briefing Workshop on Climate Change
The stage is getting set for the 17th Conference of Parties (CoP) in Durban. This is also the year which might sound the death knell for the Kyoto Protocol. In which direction would climate change negotiations and action head in the coming years? What more evidence has the science and study of climate change thrown up? And would the debates and discussions on mitigation and adaptation be a little more transparent, coherent and comprehensible this year?
 Centre for Science and Environment’s (CSE) Media Resource Unit, think these and many other similar questions might find an answer at our Annual South Asian Media Briefing Workshop on Climate Change. The workshop is scheduled on November 16-17, 2011 in New Delhi.

Selected  80 journalists from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lankawill participate. the selected journalists are  interested in getting some insights into the existing and future horizons of the climate debate. Join national negotiators, policymakers, climate change experts, civil society representatives and other journalists in digging for the real dirt.
Poznan to Durban: the state of climate negotiations and politics,The science and impacts of climate change: new evidences, Expectations from Durban, REDD and REDD+: Carbon sticks or trees, Trade and climate change: is this the new lever for climate actions? CDM – Subsidy to fossils or leapfrog to technology? Low carbon growth: future of renewables? The future of climate negotiations: Durban and beyond etc will be majour theme of sessions.


Ratheesh Kaliyadan

 Four journalists are invited for the workshop from Kerala. They are: Ratheesh Kaliyadan, editorial advisor, Eureka,  K Rajendran, news editor, Kairali TV, Jayakrishnan S, news editor, Deepika,  K P M Basheer, special correspondent, The Hindu.
Ratheesh Kaliyadan is the only independent journalist selected for the South Asian Media breifing workshop. He is working as a Higher Secondary School Teacher in Journalism at Govt. Girls HSS, Thalassery, Kannur and Editorial board member of Eureka, the only children's science magazine in Malayalam. Ratheesh Kaliyadan is the Director of Media Analysis & Research Center. We are proud to be part of the climate change negotiations.

media responsibilities

MEDIA RESPONSIBILITIES
Markanteya Katju

Friends,

As you know, I have only recently become the Chairman of the Press Council of India. It is a new job for me as I was earlier in the legal world for 40 years, 20 years as a lawyer and 20 years as a Judge.

I wish to thank you all for accepting my invitation for this get together and for coming here.

Now, that I have come into your world I need your guidance, advice and suggestions so that I may be able to perform my duties properly.

I have arranged this get together of media people because I think that the time has now come in this country when some introspection is required by the media. Many people, not only those in authority but even ordinary people, have started saying that the media has become irresponsible, wayward and needs to be reined in.

Only a couple of days back I read in the newspapers that the Union Government has issued some regulations regarding licences for news channels, about which there was a lot of reaction.

Under the Constitution of India freedom of the media is part of the freedom of speech guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution. However, no freedom can be absolute, and reasonable restrictions can be placed on them. One of the basic tasks of the media is to provide truthful and objective information to the people which will enable them to form rational opinions, which is a sine qua non in a democracy. But is the Indian media performing this role properly?

I may only mention certain defects in the functioning of the Indian media today:

(i)The media often twist facts. In this connection, I would like to give an example.

I sat for several months with Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Gyan Sudha Misra in a Bench of the Supreme Court. One day, a leading English newspaper of the country published on its front page a photograph of Hon’ble Justice Misra with the caption “Supreme Court Judge says that her daughters are liabilities”.

This was a totally distorted and fallacious news and that too published in the front page of a leading English newspaper.

The correct facts were that Supreme Court Judges have to disclose their assets and liabilities. Against the liabilities column Justice Misra wrote ‘two daughters to be married’. Strictly speaking it was not necessary to mention this because liabilities means legal liabilities e.g. housing loan, car loan, etc. However, the intention of Justice Misra was obviously to say that she had to spend a lot of money in her daughters’ future marriage. She has three daughters (no son) only one of whom has been married and two are yet to be married. Justice Misra never said nor intended to say that her daughters were liabilities, and the news published was totally false and defamatory with the obvious intention of creating a sensation.

This publication was of tremendous embarrassment and grief not only to Justice Misra but also to members of her family. Did the publisher of this news items ever think how much pain and embarrassment it would cause to Justice Misra and her family? Obviously not. All that the publisher of that news sought was to create a sensation by twisting the correct facts.

Even if Justice Misra had made a mistake in writing “ two daughters to be married” against the column of liabilities, should the media have cashed in on this mistake and totally distorted it without realizing how much pain it was causing to some people? I ask the media people assembled here today to themselves introspect and seek the answer.

(ii)The issue of paid news has become prominent of late. In the 2009 elections, it was a scandal. How to stop this vicious practice needs to be discussed among us. Incidentally, in compliance with the order of the Chief Information Commissioner dated 19.9.2011, we have placed the 71-page report of the Committee consisting of Shri Paranjoy Guha Thakurta and Mr. Sreenivas Reddy on our website www.presscouncil.nic.in with the disclaimer that the Press Council had rejected this report in its meeting held on 26.4.2010. .

(iii)The media often portrays non issues as real issues while the real issues are sidelined. The real issues in the country are economic, that is the terrible economic conditions in which 80% of our people are living, the poverty, unemployment, lack of housing and medical care etc. Instead of addressing these real issues, the media often tries to divert the attention of the people to non-issues, such as that the wife of a film actor has become pregnant, whether that lady will give birth to a single child or to twins etc. Are these the real issues facing the nation?

In the Lakme India Fashion Week event, there were 512 accredited journalists covering the event in which models were displaying cotton garments, while the men and women who grew that cotton were killing themselves at a distance of an hour’s flight from Nagpur in the Vidharbha region. Nobody told that story except one or two journalists, locally.

Is this a responsible way for the Indian media to function? Should the media turn a Nelson’s eye to the harsh economic realities facing over 75 per cent of our people, and concentrate on some ‘Potemkin villages’ where all is glamour and show biz? Are not the Indian media behaving much like Queen Marie Antoinette, who said that if the people had no bread, they should eat cake.

No doubt, sometimes the media mentions farmers’ suicides, the rise in the price of essential commodities, and so on, but such coverage is at most 5 to 10 per cent of the total. The bulk of the coverage goes to showing the life of film stars, pop music, fashion parades, cricket and astrology.

(iv)Bomb blasts have taken place near the Delhi High Court, in Bombay, Bangalore etc. Within a few hours of such bomb blasts many T V channels started showing news item that Indian Mujahidin or Jaish-e-Mohammed or Harkatul-jihad-e-islam have sent e-mails or SMS claiming responsibility. The names of such alleged organizations will always be Muslim names. Now an e-mail can be sent by any mischievous person, but by showing this on TV channels and next day in the newspapers the tendency is to brand all Muslims in the country as terrorists and bomb throwers.

The truth is that 99% people of all communities, whether Hindu, Muslim, Christian or Sikh and of whatever caste or region are good. But the manner in which such news is shown on TV screens and published in the newspapers tend to create the impression that all Muslims are terrorists, and evil, which is totally false. The person who sends such e-mails or SMS obviously wants to create hatred between Hindu and Muslims, which is the old British divide and rule policy continuing even today. Should the media, wittingly or unwittingly, become part of this policy of divide and rule?

I have only referred to some of the defects in the Indian media. No doubt there are defects not only in the media but in other institutions also e.g. the judiciary, bureaucracy etc. but all of us must try to remove these defects.

There are two ways of removing these defects in the media. One is the democratic way, that is by discussions, consultations and persuasion, which is the method I prefer. The other way is by using harsh measures against the media e.g. by imposing heavy fines on the defaulters, stopping Government advertisements for them, suspending their licence etc.

In my opinion, in a democracy, we should first try the first method for rectifying the defects, namely the democratic method. It is for this purpose that I have decided to have regular get togethers with the media, including the electronic media, so that we can all introspect and ourselves find out ways and means of rectifying the defects in the media, rather than this being done by some government authority or external agency.

For this purpose, I propose to have such get togethers, like the one as we are having today, every two or three months, in which we will discuss issues relating to the media and try to think how we can improve the performance of the media so that it may win the respect and confidence of the people of the country.

Such meetings will not be formal meetings of the Press Council of India but only informal get togethers. No doubt, the electronic media is not under the Press Council of India Act, but surely there is nothing wrong in discussing matters relating to media with them also. After all, the ultimate purpose of the print media and the electronic media is the same, and journalistic ethics apply to both.

No doubt, if the media proves incorrigible, harsh measures may be required, but in my opinion that should be resorted to only as a last resort and in extreme situations. Ordinarily, we should first try to resolve the issues by discussion, consultation and self-regulation. That is the approach which should be ordinarily first tried in a democracy. I, therefore, respectfully request the Union Government to kindly defer implementation of its recent decision regarding the news channel license, so that we can ourselves discuss the issue thoroughly and ourselves take corrective measures in this connection.

Till now the function of the Press Council was only adjudication. I intend to make the Press Council an instrument of mediation in addition, which is in my opinion the democratic approach. For this purpose, I need the help and co-operation and advice of all of you.

Presently, India is passing through a transitional period in its history, the transition being from feudal agricultural society to modern industrial society. This is a very painful and agonizing period in history. If you have read the history of Europe from the 16{+t}{+h} to the 19{+t}{+h} Centuries, which was the transitional period there, you will find that this period was accompanied by tremendous turbulence, turmoil, wars, revolutions, social churning, chaos, intellectual ferment etc. It was only after going through this fire that modern society emerged in Europe. Presently, India is going through this fire. We are going through a very painful period in our history, which I think will last for another 20 years or so before modern industrial society emerges in India.

The media too must help society in going through this transitional period as quickly as possible, and by reducing the pain. This, it can do by attacking feudal ideas e.g. casteism and communalism and promoting modern scientific ideas.

Before I conclude, I once again repeat my appeal to the Indian Government through the Prime Minister to release Dr. Khalil Chisty who is in Ajmer Jail. He is 80 years old and has not very long to live. He was an eminent virologist in Karachi Medical College and was a Ph.D from Edinburgh University. He is a heart patient and has many other ailments also. He is unable to walk. In the name of humanity I appeal to the Indian Government to release him and allow him to get back to home in Karachi to his wife and daughter who live there. The Pakistan Government honoured my appeal and released Gopal Das from a Pakistani Jail. I am sad that the Indian Government has not yet honoured my appeal made several months ago to the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Hon’ble Home Minister, and His Excellency the Governor of Rajasthan. In my opinion, the prestige of our country will be increased if Dr. Chisty is released, whereas if he dies in jail, we will be disgraced.

I now wish all of you to give your views.

(This is the text of the speech delivered by Hon’ble Mr. Justice M. Katju, Chairman, Press Council of India, to the mediapersons on their responsibility at a get together at his home in New Delhi on October 10, 2011.)

teacher tips/ Video Interview

Nine tips for journalists on shooting video interviews
Madhav Chandra Chandel

As more journalists start shooting video, I got these tips from a pro on how to make sure those videos are newsworthy.Los Angeles-based Doug Mazell, long-time film producer and director of photography, has drawn up a list of nine practical tips on how to shoot a quality video interview.
1. Don't forget about sound! Find a very quiet place to record the interview. Keep your subject close so the on-camera microphone records the best-possible sound.
2. Try to keep the face of your subject the brightest part of the scene. Look at the background of your video image -- if it seems very bright, change your composition. This might only require moving to the right or to the left just a few feet. Look at the entire frame, not just the face of your subject. A good image consists of a good subject and a better background.
3. Try to keep the background clutter-free. Your brain may isolate your subject, but the camera sees everything. Look deep into your video image and try to keep the background clean. Again, this may just require moving to the the left or to the right a few feet.
4. When asking a question of your subjects, have them repeat the question in their answer.
5. If possible, shoot video of items, subjects or locations that your subject may refer to in the interview. These shots can be used to help tell the story.
6. Write down 5 questions that will work in every situation and tape it to your camera.
7. Try to use a mono pod to steady your camera.
8. Always carry spare batteries and memory cards.
9. Keep you camera and lenses as clean as possible.

CIET Media club registration form

MEDIA CLUB

Registration Form

1. Name of the School

2. Name of the Principal/Director /VP/HM:

3. Address/Phone/Fax/:


4. E-mail of the School:

5. E-Mail of the Principal:

6. Name and Ph. No. of Media-Club coordinator:

We wish to establish a Media Club in our School. The school will take full responsibility of planning, implementing and monitoring all the activities related to the Media Club.





Date:                                                                                           Signature of the Principal/ Head

Place:                                                                                                  of the Institution with seal

David Barsamian deported

INDIA DEPORTS US RADIO JOURNALIST

Ratheesh Kaliyadan
India deported David Barsamian, an US radio journalist and founder of Alternative Radio. He was was deported on arrival from Indira Gandhi International Airport,New Delhi in the early hours of Sept 23,2011. He arrived in Delhi sometime after midnight, and his being “put back” on a flight at 3am. Why did the airport authority took such a quick decision? Is he a criminal? Or did he do any harm to the nation? Such questions are raised in the minds of the people who were happened to know the happenings.

According to news agencies, "he was found to have allegedly violated visa norms during his previous visit to the country".Sources said Barsamian had reported on events in Jammu and Kashmir during his last visit to India and these reports were found to be "not based on facts". They alleged that he violated his Visa norms during his visit in 2009-10 by indulging in professional work while holding a tourist visa. He was thereafter put on a watchlist by the immigration authorities in order to prevent his entry when he visits the country again. Sources said Barsamian during his visit to Kashmir Valley had interactions with separatist leaders and also reported on the situation in the Kashmir valley. Barsamian is reported to have travelled extensively in connection with his work( PTI 07:09 PM,Sep 23,2011).

David has been visiting India almost every year since the early 1970s. He did a series of interviews with locals and activists in Kasmir.In an exclusive interview to Greater Kashmir Barsamian said the consciousness of Kashmiris had shifted after 2008. “I observe that people especially the youth of Kashmir are more confident and politically conscious as compared to my past visits in 1996 and 2007. They are now using the non-violent means to press for their political demands. It’s the most effective form to fight for your rights,”

He said the gains in 2010 should be sustained by concerted efforts in the future. “There has to be historical understanding, sustained process, dedication and organization among people who are at work,”

Barsamian said. “There have been instances where struggles have been defused by weakening the different sections of the society. Like the infighting among the groups. This ultimately benefits the power”.

David Barsamian launched staunch criticisms against Indian media who hides the Kashmiri realities in Human Right violations by different agencies. Deportation Barsamian is not an alienated incident in India. We have long years' history in deportation begins from the first newspaper itself. The pre-independent Indian rulers tortured and deported several journalists to protect the East India Company's interests. But the post-independent India also proved we are not far away from the previous rulers.Less than a year ago, American academic Richard Shapiard upon arrival from the Indira Gandhi International airport. His crime, presumably, was an article on two on the human rights situation in Kashmir. Earlier this month, the journalist David Devadas was assaulted by the Jammu and Kashmir police.

It is true that for India, Jammu&Kasmir issues are too hot. It is a prestigious part of our nation. Nobody will support if anybody raise voice against Indian interest in the issue. At the sametime, the humanright issues should be noted and remedials are needed.To protect them, deportation of journalists are not the real way.

Onam and Communism

MYTH AND REALITY IN ONAM TRADITIONS
Ratheesh Kaliyadan
Legendary story behind the Onam celebration exposes the nostalgic feel of abundance which was the trade mark of the then Mavelinadu. Abundance is a way to envy too. The story also reveals Gods’ envy over legendary rulers who grabbed hearts and minds of their subjects.

Mahabali is one of the major martyrs of the envy. The king belongs to the Asura tradition. His regime was admired by everybody and became a celebrity all over, including the dais of Gods. The Mavelinadu was a kingdom with abundance where no theft, illegal practices and cheaters. Generosity was the embodiment of the king Mahabali.

The envious gods met, shared their anxiety and decided to teach the king a lesson; a lesson of cheating. Lord Vishnu was in charge of contacting Mahabali and implements the operation. Vishnu’s incarnation Vamana approached Mahabali. Vamana, a Brahmin dwarf boy begged the generous king for three steps of land. Mahabali granted the wish. Within seconds, Vamana grew into an enormous figure. The first step of the figure covered earth, the second one the heaven. The generous king became in a chaos. But he never went back to his promise. The king offered his head for Vamana to place his third step. The heavy step sent to Patala (beneath the earth). The envious gods sent a truthful king to hell. Vamana sanctioned permission to the king to visit his subjects once a year. The day is Onam. Every Malayali try their best to be in abundance in this day. The old saying “kanam vittum onam unnanam” (celebrate Onam even by selling the only piece of land) reflects the importance of Onam celebrations to Malayalis.

POOKKALAM

Onam is a harvest festival of Kerala. The celebrations are colored with beautiful pookkalams.The pookkalam begins on the day of Atham and ends on the day of Onam. It is the ‘formal inauguration’ of Onam festivities. Atham is the day in Malayalam month of Chingam. Atham pathu Ponnonam means tenth day of Atham is Onam. These ten days are decorated with pookkalams in front of every house. The much appreciated pookkalam is a floral tribute to the generous king Mahabali. Traditionally the flowers are collected from their own surroundings. Children were in the fore front of flower collection and making pookkalams. They collected local flowers and filled their baskets with the ‘brands’ like Thumba, Mukkuti, odapoo, Mandaram, Thechi, Krishnakireedam, Rajamalli, Shankhupushpam, Nangyarvattom and Aripoo. Kerala changed a lot due to social and political interventions. The state is far away from the agriculture and its cultural notions. So these flowers are not plenty now a day. Our children are not so much fond to collect flowers.

PRAKCOMMUNISM

Mahabali was a comrade!!! Was he actually? We have no specific answer. But he was a champion of a ‘socialist’ society long years before such a concept is emerged. Nostalgia of Onam reminds the long marched prak communist life. It sustained in pre-historic era. People lived in gothras where everything was public. Tools, food items and products were not private entities. They shared everything among the members. There is no clash between rich and poor. Even the concept of richness is unaware of them. Naturally, they had no scope for tortures and torturing mechanisms. Scope for theft and cheating is limited. Limited resources and limited utilities made them to be shared. The means of attaining dreams were also depended the limited sources. Onam is tagged with a legendary tale. Still it provides an ethos of such a life, called prak communism. Communists dream such a world order to be established through revolutions. Listen what Engels says: “socialism is the expression of absolute truth, reason and justice and has only to be discovered to conquer the entire world by virtue of its own power.”

MARKET IN ONAM CELEBRATIONS

Market oriented economy is the champions of almost all festivals. Onam is not an exception. Take the case of pookkalams. It is one of the major competitions in Onam days in Kerala. Almost all organizations that offer Onam celebrations conduct the competition. A feel that ‘what is the relevance of Onam without a ‘pookkalam’ is built consciously. Actually the feel take away the heart and ambience of Onam, the harvest festive. Instead of collecting flowers from around, we depend the flower market. The traditional flowers are hijacked by Jasmins and Chrysanthemums flowered in private fields. Majority of flowers flow from Gundelpet and Bangalore. The flower market is alive round clock. Pookkalams became costly by the dependence and conscious efforts to showcase the tradition.

This season is not only good for flowers but also for all trades. Onam season is the major market field of brands. It is a period of competition among branded and unbranded products. Consumer products grab attention of buyers. All kinds of sellers consider this time as suitable season for trade. This is a season of discounts and offers.

MEDIA INTERVENTIONS

Media market is also alive with colorful advertisements and varieties of products including special issues and publications. Book exhibitions and media trade fairs are common. To intensify the Keralites’ insatiable thirst and hunger for consumer goods and consumerism, media pour oil by ads and programmes that influence silently. Those who are stand apart from market are picturised in a comic way. Religious values and rituals are promoted by brand ambassadors. Really, their interest is trade. But the way make harm to the secular feel of the state. Media play a crucial role in it. Print and television media are in a festive mood in news presentation and the programme side. Malayalam television channels conducted their own celebrations. They are also hijacked by big advertisements and sponsorships as newspaper spaces. The sponsored programmes put a seed of consumer life and creep into the minds. The feel influences buying capabilities. Brand addiction is the new trend. To make addicted the advertisers fruitfully utilize the cultural and religious symbols. That is why Pookkalam, new dress and new products become the embodiment of Onama rather than the paddy field and agriculture. They are trying to place the symbols in a changed and different context. The context is established in and by media. Media managers are happy in the successful placement because the ad revenue is the backbone of their set ups.

Nominations for The Peace Gong Karmaveer Award for best Child Reporter

Nominations for The Peace Gong 

Karmaveer Award for best 

Child Reporter

One of the focuses of the Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Foundation is to promote Media and Information Literacy Education. The effort is not only to develop communicative skills amongst children but also develop their capacities to be active consumers of media. Through this initiative, the effort is to develop critical understanding of the media amongst children. It trains children to develop their own media products including newspapers, films and radio programmes. As part of this effort, it is promoting a children’s e-paper, The Peace Gong.

The right of the child to express herself/himself through the media is underlined in the Article 13 of the Convention of the Rights of the Child which says: The child shall have the right to freedom of expression; this right shall include freedom to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of the child’s choice.

One of the aims of the  Media and Information Literacy Education programme is to encourage children to understand and write on issues concerning them and the society. In this context to recognize and promote child reporting initiatives on social issues, the Foundation in association with iCongo is launching the Peace Gong Karmaveer Puraskar for the best child reporter.

Who can apply for the award?

 
1)       Children between 14-17 years of age.
2)      To celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, the Foundation has initiated Project Gitanjali to promote children’s action on peace and environment. The theme for the Award is the ‘linkage between peace and environment’.
3)      The child who is sending her/his nomination for the award should be able to write a real and properly documented based on real life stories and not fiction.
4)     It should necessarily reflect the journalistic style of writing.
5)      It should not be more than 1200 words in length.
6)     The medium should be either in English or Hindi.
7)      Age proof of the child is essential for applying for the award.

All nominations should be sent to: Prof T K Thomas, Chairperson, Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Foundation at rabindranathtagorefoundation@gmail.com
The last date of sending of nominations is October 10, 2011. 

journalism question paper

JOURNALISM
AUGUST 2011  Time: 2hr 15 mts HSE II  Score: 60
Compiled by Team Teachers of MARC
1. If you are appointed to report an accident which sources you approach to get Information? Score: 3

2. In a meet the press ‘Chief Minister Oommenchandy said that the government will enact a law for compulsory service for a minimum period of five years for doctors who studies in government colleges.

The Kerala State Council for child welfare decided to adopt ‘Aromal’, the three Year old child who was the victim of harassment. General Secretary of the Council A.Krishnan said in a press conference on Sunday.

The state government will setup a Kerala inland water development authority on The lines of the inland water ways development authority. The proposal is awaiting cabinet approval. Official sources told the reporters in a press briefing. Elaborate the underlined terms. Score: 6

3. You watch the following two situations in a TV channel.
1) You saw a reporter collecting the view of common people about the recent price hike in petroleum products. 2) A television anchor interviewing Aishwarya Ray.
a) Classify the above two types of interviews.
b) Compare them and suggest their similarities and differences. Score: 4

4. Meera goes through today’s radio programme published in daily. She noticed the programme. That is Subhashitham, Vayalum Veedum, and Yuvavani. He hears those programmes. Make a brief note about the programmes she heard. Score: 6

5. Amritha is a newly appointed sub editor is a news paper. The news editor gives her a book to follow copy editing rules can you name the book. Score: 3

6. Madhu is a fifth standard student. He is not interested in reading News but he is eager to read cartoons. State reasons behind this behavior. Score: 3

7. You got a letter from programme executive of All India Radio. It asks a three minute script for Radio drama competition. Prepare the script. Score: 5

8. While hearing a radio drama, you hear the pattering sound of rain and the 'roaring' of thunder. Can you name this process of adding such sounds? Score: 2

9. Adershini is a newly appointed sub editor trainee in your News paper. This is Her first day in the news paper. She is amazed with the bundles of news flow from various sources. Being a senior sub editor she approaches you to get the Principles of editing prevailing in your news room. Help Adershini by providing necessary information Score: 6

10. Cartoon Network, Pogo, Nick etc are some of the channels that attracted Children of all age. Can you distinguish the salient features of these channels? That evokes the attraction? Score: 2

11. Imagine your school is going to celebrate Golden Jubilee next month. You are asked to prepare a poster in Malayalam about the Golden Jubilee Celebrations. The poster should include:
Name of the school, Golden Jubilee Celebration Date, Venue, Chief Guests, Programmes etc. Score: 4

12. Prepare a profile of S. Sadananth using following hints.
[An able editor and innovator – started career in Burma in 1920s –staff of Rangoon Newspaper purchased ‘Indian express’ in 1932 – started ‘Free Press Journal’ And Gayathri daily “Navbharat’ in 1932 – started Tamil daily ‘Ceremony’ – builder of News papers] Score: 5

13. The editor gives you a write up written in chronological order. Then he asks You to re-write it into a hard story. Explain the structure of such stories with the help Of a suitable diagram. Score: 3

14. Ban of Plastic Products’ is an issue that gets wide popularity today. The Literary club of your school is going to conduct a chart exhibition on this topic. As journalism students you are assigned to prepare a Malayalam write-up on the ‘Impact of Plastic on Our Environment’. Prepare a write-up of 100 words to be Presented on the chart by using the following Score: 3

15. Now days, different types of reality shows capture the various TV channels.Your channel also decided to launch a Musical Reality show. Prepare a 2 minute TV script for the trailer of the Show. Also suggest a suitable title For the Reality show. The script should include the following details. Date of commencement of the show. Nature of Peculiarities Score: 5

Journalism question paper

Second Year First Terminal Examination  August 2011

JOURNALISM
Maximum Score : 60  Time : 2 Hours 
Cool of time : 15 Minutes
By Dr. Roy Thomas

I. Answer the following questions in a sentence or two. a) OB Vans b) Track and Trolley c) Medium Wave d) FTP  e) Syntax [score:5]

II. Mr. Rahul is a crime reporter in ‘National Today’ magazine. The management has given clear cut instruction to him that on the elements that are to be included while writing a crime story. As the students of Journalism, what are the elements that are to be observedby Mr. Rahul while writing a news story. [4]

III. Do you think that media is going prominence to development issues in the modern world. What is your opinion? Substantiate your answer with suitable examples. [6]

IV. Answer the following in a word or two. a) Director General of All India Radio b) Chairman of Press Council of India c) Chairman of National Film Development Corporation d) The Chief Editor of ‘The Hindu’ daily. e) The headquarters of ‘Mathrubhumi daily’. [5]

V. The advent of ‘Radio Village’ accelerated the development of Village Community. Do you agree with this view? Also mention the eminent personality who introduced ‘Radio Village’ and the year. [5]

VI. Abbreviate the following. a) DTP b) www c) PTI d) WYSIWYG e) FM  [5]

VII. Is has been reported by various medias that the Kerala state is inflicted with Dungi fever and Chicken Guniea. The Health Ministry is doing nothing to control Dungi fever and Chicken Guniea. Write a letter to the Editor of ‘The New Indian Express’ on the necessity to control the Dungi fever and Chicken Guniea [4]

VIII. Define Interview. What are the guidelines that should be observed for conducting a good Interview? As Journalism students, if you are given a chance to interview actor Salim Kumar, who won the National award for best actor, write down six probable questions that you would ask him? [7]

IX. Mr. Ravi is a freelance journalist working with different print medias. What are the qualities that Mr.Ravi should posses as a freelance journalist. Also define freelance journalist. [5]

X. Draw the organizational structure of a news Bureau. [4]

XI. Who is the minister of Information and Broadcasting Minister of India. [1]

XII. Technically, the news story is written in ‘Inverted Pyramid Style’. Explain Inverted Pyramid with Diagram. [3]

XIII. Explain 5 W’s and 1’ H’ [2]

XIV. What are the different types of features? Explain it briefly. Also define the term ‘feature (4)

Privatizing Radio

Government's Green Signal to 

Privatising Radio forums

Ratheesh Kaliyadan

The government of India cleared guidelines of the FM Radio Phase III expansion on July 07, 2011. It enables revenue generation of Rs 1,733 crore from the auction of license for services in 227 cities in the country. The meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh cleared a proposal by the ministry of information and broadcasting for the auction of new licenses of FM channels. 
"New licenses will be given through e-auction that will be conducted by an independent expert agency," Information &Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said in a briefing after the cabinet meeting in New Delhi.                                                                                                                                           The Union cabinet also decided to raise the foreign investment (foreign direct investment and foreign institutional investment) limit in FM business to 26% from 20%. The new regime - Policy Guidelines on Expansion of FM radio broadcasting services through private agencies (Phase-Ill ) - will extend FM radio services to about 227 new cities and offer 839 new FM radio channels in 294 cities. 

The govt’s eye eagerly concentrates on the big revenue out of the auction. The Phase I and Phase II policies have resulted in a total revenue accrual of about Rs 1,733 crore up to May 31, 2011 by way of one time entry fee, migration fee and annual fee among others.

Actually the new decision will enhance the private sector to penetrate their ideals in radio world with an increased confidence. Media critics and academicians keep mum against the decision. At the same time corporate and media giants are in a happy mood. They made their expressions joyfully. They are ready to exploit the opportunity to expand business network. ENIL chief executive officer Prashant Panday said the third phase of expansion would make FM a pan-India medium as it would take radio to small towns. "For six years, there has been no expansion. This policy is important for future growth," he said. ENIL owns Radio Mirchi, India's leading FM radio channel.

Just after the cabinet decision and media giants’ responses, the stock market also became alert to buy and sell shares of these corporate bodies. ENIL's scrip rose 5.75%, closing at. 278.75 On BSE on Thursday while Reliance Broadcast Network was up 7.09% and closed at. 86.10. The rise raises a question: who is the beneficiaries of the cabinet decision? Is it the government or the media corporate? The decision is a best example for the UPA government’s empathy towards privatization and foreign investment.

The new decision will also allow private radio channels to broadcast news of All India Radio. The decision is not made much attention among the media activists. Mainstream media provided a little space for the ‘hot’ news. No media highlighted the issue. The decision appeared in a single line in the midst of the celebrated 1,733 crore story. This is a crucial and important decision which will invite long lasting impact. The current decision is to “allowed to carry news items from All India Radio.” Earlier, they had not been allowed. This is a clear finger point to the coming decisions. Within a short period, government will allow private FM channels to gather news and broadcast it. Government will decide to make changes to the existing rules and regulations for the same as in the case of television channels. Such a decision will harmfully affect the activities of All India Radio. After the decision total monopoly of news transmission will become the ‘Right’ of private corporate media agencies.

The Peace Gong Painting/Short Story/Poetry Competition

Project Gitanjali has been initiated by the Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Foundation, New Delhi to inspire and motivate children across the country to volunteer for peace and environment. This is significant in light of the global celebrations to mark the completion of 10 Years of the International Year of Volunteers (IYV+10).
As part of Project Gitanjali, children will develop their own action plan on what they want to do to save their planet. The aim will also be to connect children from different parts of the country to come together to save the planet when environmental degradation and climate change are major source of concern worldwide.
One of the major initiatives as part of Project Gitanjali is the The Peace Gong Painting/Short Story/Poetry Competition on the theme, “Linking Environment to a Culture of Peace”. This nationwide competition is being organized by the Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Foundation, New Delhi with the partnership of United Nations, Media Analysis&Research Center,.Koyilandy and Shanthinikethan Kala Academy, New Delhi to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Tagore.
The Competitions are as follows:

Theme: Linking Environment to a Culture of Peace
Age Group: 5- 8 years age – Painting Competition
Age Group: 9-11- Painting Competition
Age Group: 12 to 15– Painting/ Short Story/Poetry writing Competition
Age Group: 16 to 18 - Poster/ Painting Competitio
Age Group: 16 to 18 – Short Story/Poetry Writing Competition
Languages: Hindi, English, Bangla, Malayalam and Assamese only)
(The length of each story will be of a maximum 1500 words)

The last date of sending entries is July 20, 2011. A national jury is being constituted to select the best entries. Entries are expected from the states of Assam, Manipur, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and Kerala. Short stories and poetries can be sent in English, Hindi, Malayalam, Assamese and Bengali.
The best of paintings are expected to be exhibited in different forums. Also the Foundation plans to publish the best short stories/poetry and paintings in a book form.


Contact:
Prof T K Thomas,Chairperson,Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore Foundation, New Delhi.
radioactive.thomas@gmail.com
rabindranathtagorefoundation@gmail.com or
Ratheesh Kaliyadan, Director, Media Analysis & Research Center, Koyilandy, Kozhikode, Kerala.
mediafolkmarc@gmail.com

advertisement

Advertising Standards

Council of India

upholds 34 ads in 4-month period

Dr. Anubhuti Yadav

Dr. Anubhuti Yadav

The Consumer Complaints Council (CCC) of Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has upheld complaints against 34 advertisements for the four-month period starting November.
The CCC, meanwhile, let go remaining 19 adverts as their claims were substantiated.
The majority of upheld ads were either removed or discontinued by the advertisers; the remaining were modified after the ASCI directive.
The complaints received against Pernod Ricard's Royal Stag advertisement was related to surrogate advertising of an alcohol product during a cricket match, which led to the discontinuation of the advertisement.
Similarly, Sab Miller India (Hayward & Hayward 5000) and United spirits (Mc Dowell's) both violated the Cable TV Network Rules and ASCI code on Surrogate Advertising, thereby resulting in the ads being withdrawn.
The complaints received on advertisements of HUL, Procter & Gamble, L'Oreal, Dabur, Dish TV, Kent RO Systems and Shree Maruti Herbal questioned the leadership comparisons or comparative benefits claimed by these brands in their advertisements with similar products available in the market.
Consequently, appropriate modifications were made in the advertisement or the advertisement itself was discontinued.
However, in a specific case of ITC's Vivel TVC, the portrayal and projection of women with dark skin brought it under CCC purview resulting in the discontinuation of the advertisement.
The American Tourister's usage of the tagline "Survive Istanbul, Survive the World" marred Turkey's reputation as a tourist destination, and hence clashed with ASCI's code under Chapter III.1 (b).
As Naaptol's Biomagnetic Titanium Bracelet didn't respond to CCC, it invoked chapters I.1 and I.5 of ASCI's code, which concludes that in the absence of comments from the advertisers, the claims made by the advertiser wouldn't be substantiated.
Suitable modifications were made in both these advertisements, post CCC's intervention.
Dainik Bhaskar's and Pudhari's advertisement came under the CCC scanner as a result of complaints made on its claims and the advertisements were withdrawn.
TVS Motors had to modify the TVC, in which some of the stunts were shown in normal traffic conditions depicting the power or capacity of the advertised vehicle product. The advertisement contravened Clause `C' of the ASCI Guidelines on Advertisements for Automotive Vehicles.
In the automobile sector, Hyundai Motors and Ceat were also brought under the discretion of the CCC. Ceat's TVC has been modified due to the dangerous practices displayed in its TVC. As for Hyundai, the TVC has been withdrawn altogether.
In the education sector, two complaints were made against T.I.M.E. -MBA-CET 2010 advertisement. The advertiser substantiated one of the claims while appropriate changes were made with regards to the second complaint, since the claim could not be substantiated.
As for Noesis Education, the claim of the success ratio of 1 out of 8, the Best in India sent to IIM's was not substantiated. The institute had to instantly modify its advertisement after receiving the complaint from ASCI.
The council also upheld advertisements of New Look Skincare, Lavanya Ayurvedic Cancer Hospital, Reebok India, Indiatimes Shopping and Lokmat newspaper on the basis of tall claims not substantiated or claims that were misleading the consumer.
The complaints not upheld were related to advertisements by brands such as Artsana India, Cadbury, Reckitt Benckiser, RR Industries, Tata Sky, Perfetti Van Melle, Akzo Nobel India, TVS Motor, Multiscreen media, Tata Motors, Pantaloon Retail and Axis Bank.
source :Indiantelevision.com

( Dr. Anubhuti Yadav is an assistant professor in National Council for Educational Research and Training, New Delhi. She is in charge of media studies and school media clubs)

Environment Day

                                              

REPOSITORY OF  

LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INITIATIVES AND HISTORICAL SKETCHES

Media Analysis & Research Center is a non-profit platform of mediamates and communication experts.
Registered under Indian Trust Act 1882 on March 25, 2008. RegNo.45/2008/BK IV. Part of NGO partnership program of Planning board, Govt. of India. Member, Indian Chamber of Non-Government Organizations (ICNGO), New Delhi.
The research organization focuses on academic activities, documentation and activists supporting initiatives. Our thrust areas are:

 Media matters
 Environment
 Education
 Folklore

Media Analysis & Research Center is trying to construct a Repository  of Local Environmental Initiatives and Historical Sketches to enrich data base of MARC’s research resources. It is a journey to hear and measure the voices of the voiceless and make a place in history.

There were varieties of initiatives and movements in connection with environment movements and related issues. Some of them found success where as others a failure. Unfortunately such movements or initiatives were not recorded systematically. MARC plans to record such unrecorded activities and voices.

This is a golden opportunity to the interested hearts and minds to enquire and expertise in our own environment and it’s past. Recording any movement becomes an unavoidable part in environmental and historical research. It is project to enquire objectively, record systematically and make reports.

 Any interested person can be part of the venture by documenting environmental initiatives, related issues and life sketch of the activists.
 You should collect supporting documents also. Interview, survey, group discussions etc. could be used for data collection. Prepare questionnaire as a tool for data collection.
 Collect both oral and written information. If you insist, we will buy published works for the research.
 Unpublished manuscripts and documents will be accepted as donation. Do contact us; therefore we can help you on the course of such involvement.
 You should mention name, address, telephone number and E-mail ID of all sources whom you approach for the study as reference in your report.
 The method, style and content can be selected yourself.

You as a donor will have a place in our library and research resource center. A donor’s contribution will be placed as her/his property in our research resource center. All future research references regarding your subject will acknowledge your generous gesture.

If MARC’s publication division finds your contribution to be an outstanding one, you stand a chance for special recognition. You may send your contribution by post.

We would be thankful if you could pass on this information to persons or institutions that may be willing to strengthen the right effort to preserve by documenting our environment and it’s past.

Contact us: Koyilandy.P.O,Kozhikode,Kerala,India 673305
E-mail: mediafolkmarc@gmail.com , mediafolk@rediffmail.com Phone: +919946445970

Media Studies in Kitchen

LEARN MEDIA STUDIES THROUGH MAKING FOOD IN YOUR KITCHEN

Ratheesh Kaliyadan
Can you believe it? Learn journalism by making varieties of food in your kitchen! This is an interesting question that I faced while I suggested to gather information about traditional food items in Thalassery. Journalism students of Govt. Girls Higher Secondary School, Thalassery begin their enquiry.

What is the relationship between eating and media studies? If you have a proven think about your aim, there is a link. That link is the strength of our new project to gather information about indigenous know-hows on traditional food items of Thalassery.

What we will do is a simple exercise. Visit grandmas and grandpas. After melting the ice burg, open up minds and share what they ate and eat. Assembling the first hand information, we will prepare pieces of How to do it articles.

The how to do it articles will help us to go further. The next step is preparation of features on special dishes and personalities. Through these exercises, the learners will be introduced the world of feature writing. Theoretical and technical aspects of features and how to do articles are discussed in detail. Also we will prepare certain hard stories regarding food court, exhibition, bakeries etc. inverted pyramid and related theories are familiarized.

The major tool used for the stories is interview. Interview technics, kinds of interviews, role of homework for interviews and other aspects will be covered here.

On the analytical part, we will try to analyses the food tradition on the background of cultural differences. Also the learners get a chance to compare the present food system and the traditional ones. We feel that food cult is a reflection of the cult of the community. Also we hope food can be an indicator of historical research. The politics of food is an interesting thing for analytical journalists. Alas! We are here in the kitchen to learn media studies.

AUTHOR SUPPORT SCHEME

 AUTHOR SUPPORT SCHEME

Media Analysis  Research Center is a non-profit platform of mediamates and communication experts. Registered under Indian Trust Act 1882 on March 25, 2008. Reg No. 45/2008/BK IV.
Part of NGO partnership program of Planning board, Govt. of India. Member, Indian Chamber of Non-Government Organizations, Delhi.
Being a research organization, we focus on academic activities, documentation and activists supporting initiatives.
Media Analysis & Research Center's Author Support Scheme is a unique scheme to support new writers and new creations. Novel ideas are promoted through this programme. The programme is an author-MARC participatory venture to publish innovative books. Being an academic community, we concentrate on publication of authentic books. On the sale of the books, an author/ distributor will get 40% and 10% of the MRP as commission and royalty respectively. Also the author will get a special royalty decided by the MARC team.

• Any author of an authentic book can send a hard copy and a soft copy of the book to the director. The MARC selection committee of will scrutinize the work.

• After the completion of the scrutiny, the author will be informed whether the book is accepted for publication or not.

• If the book is accepted, author will be informed the same. The author can expect the book within three months.

• The author should advance the actual production cost. It would be reimbursed after 60% of the copies are sold out.

• Copy right of the book is solemnly vested to MARC forever. All rights regarding the book will be reserved. No part of the material may be reproduced in any form without special permission from the copy right owner.

• The author will get a special royalty for reserving the copy right. The amount will be decided by the MARC team.

• The author will get 10 copies of the published work at free of cost as author’s copy. MARC will use 100 copies at free of cost for review/introduction and file purposes.

• Sale/distribution of the book will be a mutual responsibility of the author and the MARC. Both should make initiatives to sell the copies.

• The author is awarded 10% of the total sale as royalty in each edition.

• If the author initiates for distribution, 40% is deducted on the MRP as commission.

• For book sellers/agents/distributors will get up to 50% as commission for bulk sale. The rate of commission will be fixed time to time considering the volume of books use to distribute.

• If 40% and more copies are pending for sale after one year of publication, the author is responsible for the dead stock. Such stocks should be cleared by paying 50% of the MRP.

• For authors from Lakshadweep, 50% of MRP of the total number of books published will be paid in advance and deliver the copies. We will try to arrange special representatives for distribution in islands. Commission for the represents, accommodation and other facilities are fixed on the basis of discussion.

media club

LET’S HAVE A MEDIA CLUB
Ratheesh Kaliyadan
We are living in a media driven society. Nobody can stand apart from the magical skin of media today. Everything related to our socio-cultural life is decided by the media. Thus it influences our economic state also. Our taste, interest, needs, belief, demands, even thoughts are drastically influenced by media. What do you think and How do you act are molded in the kitchen of media gigantic.

Here is an example from our families. Three year old child in our homes now days never ask for a chocolate. But they ask for a particular brand. From where does this child get the name of the chocolate? Majority of us appreciate the child for its keen observation. Is this due to its serious observation? My answer is NO. The brand ambassadors become a great success in ‘catching them young.’ Negative values like consumerism haunt them. Socio-cultural behavior is seriously threatened. Traditional values and customs are torned away. These are some of the criticisms by the older generation against the new ones.

At this juncture what is the remedy to liberate our children from the black hands of mediations? This is the challenge we have to face in our surroundings. Parents and the general public believe we, the teachers, can do something. Can we? What we have to do is make aware our children that what we see, hear and read in media are not the real ones. Equip them to read media critically. Build up their efficiency in analysis and interpret. Nourish their ability in critical thinking.

Media clubs can help in these regards a lot. There are lists of activities we have to done. These activities will help them to make media criticism through fun. They can do serious things joyfully. One of the activities listed and practiced by most teachers in their class room is making newspaper. You can decide the form of publication. I may share one of my experiences. The last academic year, we divided the whole class in to ten groups. Each group gathered news from their surroundings. Brought it in classroom. Processed them there. Pasted on the walls in the form of a wall new paper. Remember it was the first form of news transaction. Acta Diurna is example. We simply followed those ancestors. It is not a novel idea or a great work.

After ten groups presented the newspapers, we conducted an exhibition. Invited local media persons. They made news on the exhibition. Also they got several news pegs from the news appeared in our wall newspaper. Out of the stories, one got special attention. It was about the life of a poor Muslim old lady who lived alone in a hut. The news had different impacts. Several organizations expressed their interest to rehabilitate the old lady. But she was not ready to leave her place on the ground of her sheep. At last the RDO visited her and issued a special ration card. The card supported her to buy rice from the ration shop without paying a penny. A mediavist is generated through this innovative experience.Citizen journalism became a tool for it.What we call this style of study is critical pedagogy.

My learners are much motivated by the work. We moved to another area. Our school is a government Girls higher secondary school. It is in Thalassery, Kerala. The place is famous for Circus, Cake and Cricket. We approached the circus artist. Collected a lot of information. Prepared features and profiles. Through the activities we learned how to gather news, how to write in different formats and how to edit them. The articles published as a book- CIRCUS, edited by me and published by Media Analysis & Research Center. By documenting the experiences of the artists, we made another step in journalism. This is a unique book in this subject in Malayalam.

Everybody have a deep instinct for self-expression. You can cater your club member’s interest in this regard through a blog. Creating and maintaining a blog is very easy. Almost all providers use a highly user friendly mode in creating new blogs. It makes you a media owner without investing singly rupee. A penny less effort to make you a media owner is really an interesting experience. You have all freedom to accept, edit or reject an article. Nobody has a control over you. You become the agenda setter of your blog! Try it. Provide your children an online global opportunity to express themselves. Moreover we can read you by sitting in Kerala. It is one of the easiest methods to share your activities also. The media club can do a lot through this medium.

If you have some money to invest, why can’t you try for an E-newspaper? The softwares are either cheap or free now. The URL registration cost is minimum. If you are interested you have it.these are possibilities. I shared what we practiced in our class room. If it is happened in our actual life situation, it is possible to you. If you have a will, you have a win. Remember production is not important in media club activities. It helps them to make their work funnier. Our concentration should be the other half that is the awareness part.

(Speech delivered at the planning meeting of media clubs on April 21, 2011 at Central Institute of Educational Technology-CIET, NCERT,  New Delhi)

Documentaries

DEFINING DOCUMENTARIES

Ratheesh Kaliyadan
History of films begins with non-fiction films. Grand Café in Paris marked the embryonic screening of the first film by the Lumiere brothers. The initiatives of the Lumiere brothers paved a strong corner stone to the milestones of movie movements. The ever first films exposed actual life situations in factories, railway stations etc. these films never considered to be as documentaries. Because these kinds of non-fiction films does not satisfy criteria of a documentary.

It was in 1920s crystalized documentary as a form of expression with the theorization of John Grierson. He was a Scots social scientist specialized in the psychology of propaganda. Reviewing Robert Flaherty’s Moana in 1926, John Grierson said it was “documentary” in intention. Actually Flaherty’s earlier work Nanook of the North (1922) is now acknowledged as the seminal work in this category. Robert Flaherty, an American engineer began shooting an ethnographic record of an Eskimo family in 1915. After several years tiresome works, the film Nanook of the North became a reality.

Grierson defined documentaries as the “creative treatment of actualities.” Actual life situations’ different patterns of treatments are the major characteristic of a documentary. Here common people get a space to share their expressions. Issues among the general public or alienated sections are treated in detail. Finds the roots of cause and effects equation in an issue could be seen in this kind of films. Intentionally insisting a criticism is one of the face values of documentaries. Thematic focus and purposeful social criticism are the hearts and minds of a documentary film.

Grierson

Different ideologues used documentaries and non- fiction films to propagate their own ideological versions. During the First World War from 1914 to 1918, film became an important medium of government propaganda.

Documentaries developed in different ways during the 1917 Russian Revolution. First evidence of documentary spirit in Russia lies with Kino-Eye of Daziga Vertov and his group. Kino Pravda(film-truth) movement by Vertov exemplified the revolutionary version of film movement. He used camera powerfully to disseminate the reality against the bourgeois perspectives. Real life captured by the camera was the motto of film-truth movement. Vertov’s Man with the Movie Camera 1929 is a powerful record of the camera’s capability to move and capture hidden agendas through exposing life in the street. He used montage shots lavishly to prove the capacity of camera as the all-seeing tool.

Like communists, the Nazis also utilized the capacity of camera in propaganda. The potentialities of camera meaningfully utilized by AdolfHitler in Germany. Hitler reinforced the Aryan supremacy by carefully treating the medium and selection of actors and characters. Triumph of the Will, the advertisement film made for making advertisement of the Nazi Congress in Nuremberg in 1934. Hitler is treated as a mythological character and pictured him as the god of Germans in this film. The Nazi films are best examples of manipulation of cameras.

on Keral election

MEDIA MARGINALISATION OF REALITIES
TARGETING THE LEFT
Ratheesh Kaliyadan

Kerala is in its path of hot discussions regarding the state legislative assembly elections. Last couples of days our media dedicated most of their time and space to deliver whether V.S Achuthanandan, the chief minister and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader will be a contestant or not. They provided prime importance for the issue. The CPI (M) state secretariat meeting and state committee meeting got prime attention. The reason was a rumor that the party denies seat to Com.V.S.achuthanandan.

Com. V.S.Achuthanandan

Before the completion of the secretariat meeting almost all electronic media declared that the party denied seat to the Chief Minister. To establish their advocacy they quoted Com.V.S’s body language. By reading the kinesthetic, media people made sure that ‘he will not be a candidate’. After state committee the same day evening, they repeated the same story that the comrade will not contest without any ‘official or responsible respond’. To the questions of the media people, com.V.S told ‘everything will say those who are the authority to say’. The words interpreted in different ways. It leads to establish that factionalism reflects not only in Kerala party but in the Polit Bureau itself. A group of media picturised com. Prakash Karat as a mouth piece of com. Pinarayi.
Following the media reports, the so called VS followers made violent expressions, posters, flex boards etc. Indiavision channel made a live demo of state committee decisions. Within moments they reported followers responds in the forms of expressions. Shouting slogans against the party leaders, posters… the news encouraged a lot of passive activists to jump to the ground and they also became part of the expressions.

Com. Pinarayi Vijayan

At last today ( March 19, 2011) 12.45 PM media conference at the AKG Center, Trivandrum, CPI(M) state secretary Com.Pinarayi Vijayan declared the candidate list. The list included com. V.S. Achuthanandan as a candidate from Malampuzha constituency. By the publication of the list, all media advocacies and agendas became a futile. To the questions of media people com. Pinarayi told that com.V.S is part of our party and he involved in all processes of selecting the candidates. He requested the media not to display the leader as one who is apart from the party leadership. Also described that V.S is being elected since 1967 without any recommendation from any external forces. Every decision came from the party itself as it is today. He also added that while a leader like VS is contesting, question like who leads the LDF is a blunder.

An important question raises here. Why do our media spend so much time to discuss an unwanted matter? Or is it because of the media intervention, VS became a candidate? While examining the communist methodology of selecting a candidate and declaring it, the second doubt is a waste. They will consider every aspect. If it is decided, media intervention will not help anybody to creep into the list. This is a reality what everybody knows. What media should do is one, be more tolerant and wait for an official declaration. All other exercises on imagining or assessing partially got information are not part of responsible journalism. Political sensations will not help us anymore. By these hidden agenda of certain media to tarish communists, we lose a lot of time and space. Moreover, precious time and space to discuss the real issues are deviating. To highlight the real development and ideological positions is necessary. In between the unwanted talks and sensitivities the real issues are being marginalized.

International Women Day

SALUTTING WOMANHOOD

Ratheesh Kaliyadan

What can a tailor do? Does she decide the destiny of a suit only? If your answer is YES, you are wrong. Here is a wonderful experience of deciding the destiny of womanhood.

The under estimated sections of workers wrote a novel chapter in the history of struggles a century before. On March 08, 1908, a group of women dress makers from New York City united for an agitation against the low graded life situations. They dreamed a better life. The struggle marked historic one. Remembering the agitation, working women celebrate International Women’s Day on every March 08 since the 1900s.

Agitated women dress makers raised their voices boldly and their demands strongly. The major demands were: shorter working hours better pay and equal voting rights. Thousands of dress makers took part in the New York City march.

Women were treated pathetically in those days all over the world. They were an ‘oppressed classes. Gender inequality was on the peak of male domination. The discrepancy reflected in every nooks and corners of women activities including the work places. Agitation for social change is a push of long years’ oppression.

Male dominated cults never considered women as a human being with self-esteem or responsible womanhood. To the orthodox male dominators, women are ‘child producing factories’ and ‘our child bearers’. In India, women were not allowed to cover their nudity properly. Especially denied right to wear dress the chest and parts. The breast and parts exhibited openly due to ‘cultural restrictions’. Casteism played an important role in designing the dress patterns of India. Lower caste women were the victims of such brutal exhibitionism. At the same time, part of rituals some elite caste women also became part of the same exhibitionism occasionally.

Working women were on the fore front of celebrating the International Women Day. The day is utilized to remember various agitations and milestones in the history of women folk. The celebration motivated various agitators to design and redesign ideological strata of their activities.


It was the second International Socialist Women’s Conference held at Copenhagen on August 27, 1910 decided to observe March 8 as international Women’s Day. Women activists from Socialist parties, Progressive movements, Working women associations and others celebrate the day with their own vision and mission. To restructure women life and build up equality is their major need of the day. To achieve the goal we have to march several miles.

In the midst of leftist and socialist shouts and celebrations a new party now joins to the avenue of International Women Day celebrations. They are the capitalists those who invest capital to produce cosmetic items and beauty added commodities. The showcases of these producers are attractively decorated with liberation slogans. Ultimately they hope that the underneath of all liberation activities and protests are to exhibit themselves in attractive suites of cosmetic items. What a challenge! Without wearing our ornaments how can you lead an agitation? If you are not using our talcum powder and facial creams how your faces can will be accepted by your audience? If you hesitate to wear latest fashions what do your followers think about you? The questions continue through attractive advertisement packages. Our new generation ‘activists’ surrender before such questions and quotes knowingly or unknowingly.

United Nations suggests specific theme for the International Women Day celebrations. This year’s theme is: Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women.

A century back, the pioneer agitators shouted the same or related slogans in the streets of New York City. Even after 100 years we realize that the condition of women is not uplifted much. Human right violations, atrocities against women, increasing rape cases, and dowry related tortures, sexual harassments, physical and mental malice…. The never end list continues. A shameful realization to the sympathizers of the needs of our sisters.