A practical guide for journalists in the times of media collapse

Pratim Ranjan Bose 

In 2014, addressed a seminar at a reputed management institute detailing news media as a sunset industry. This was not classified information. My presentation was backed by evidence.

Over the last few years, I saw values crumbling all around. The test of a man is how he behaves when under pressure. Media finances were crumbling because of wrong policies pursued by owners, managers, editors; and what they did in response is also before our eyes.

Digital or no digital, there is no trend correction at all. And, all evidence suggests the troubles should only intensify from this point. What was a rumbling has become a tornado, and a massive disruption is foretold. Once again this is no classified information and COVID is merely an excuse or a catalyst that fast-forwarded the destruction.  

Writing this because, I read the news of a senior news wire journalist committing suicide in Ranchi. Was he shortlisted for sacking? We do not know. Media tells about everyone else but not many talk about media. That’s not because, no one knows what’s happening there. It’s because everyone has a vested interest in maintaining the status-quo.

But, status quo is a utopian thought in today’s world. You bleed more to protect it. Look across the world, no business remains relevant for more than 10-15 years. In fact, averages are way lower. If some houses remain relevant for a longer period it's because of new businesses they invested in. Postal major became a logistics king. Polyester maker is now better known as a tech giant. Digital tech players are finding fresh prospects in renewable energy.

From this point of view, media houses were an exception to the general business environment. Apparently, they remained relevant for too long by selling the same product and without much change in sales methodology. Logic says, trouble was overdue.

 I have some idea, where they are heading and what are the options before them. But that’s a topic I would like to discuss on some other occasion. What concerns me more is the future of journalists. My understanding is journalists have a gala time ahead, provided they are investing in themselves and not guided by traditional career options.  

A journalist is basically an information professional. He must know theories but must not see the world through theories. He looks at the world from the perspective of ground realities, which are ever changing.  If he can challenge those theories and give solutions he reaches the next stage.

To put it in context, therefore, a journalist should be capable of connecting global and national views with the local perspective. Not an easy job at all. This is the most sought-after knowledge, particularly in a country like India, where social behaviour differ even within a district.

Drop your wallet on the pavements of Bodh Gaya in Bihar and come back after an hour, it will remain intact. Repeat the same experiment a few kilometres away at Gaya town and you may have a different result. The gap between the two is evident in selective success or failure of national projects.

There is another important factor in this conjecture. A journalist can see things due to two reasons 1) His mind is never cluttered by theories and perceptions and he is ready to watch everything with an open mind. 2) To achieve the first goal, he must maintain a degree of integrity. I am not talking from an idealistic standpoint.  I am a realist. I am merely asking journalists to not short-sell themselves.

A journalist sells knowledge. Assuming he has knowledge and is constantly sharpening it, he should work on skills necessary for selling the knowledge, which is crucial for his survival or success beyond media. You are blind if you do not see the writing on the wall. So, keep working on your future. Why die?  Why act in a haste and be on your knees? Why trust them who are not trustworthy?

Win the sentiment. Be recognized at your own merit. Do not carry the brand of your newspaper on your sleeves. Build your own brand while working as a journalist. I did that. It didn’t happen overnight. Neither, was there any concrete plan from the beginning. I simply went with the flow and the moment things crossed a limit, I set my goal.

Luckily, for me, the trigger came a year ago before COVID. So, when they took the excuse of COVID to shed jobs, during the lock down, I had already stepped into a new life. Mind you it's your life, do everything to achieve your goals. It is your priorities which matter. The rest is inconsequential. 

 

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