Khatey Journalists – Thukka Myaa

Shameful. Disgraceful. Nepali journalism is a supreme example of “khatey” journalism and “jholay” journalism. Thukka – randi ka baan patrakaar bhanauda khatey haru. No wonder, no one really respects “journalists” in Nepal, especially the reporters and photographers.

How I hate to be a part of it!

Thukka!

Pic 1: There were about 100 reporters and camerapersons registered for the press conference, however almost 200 plus showed up – with some non-reporters as well. Those on the pic are trying to sneak inside past the first main gate.

Pic 2: Kaski Hall. Former King comes and becomes overwhelmed with the number of journalists present in side the hall. He is interrupted several times with incessant “halla-khalla” journalists were continuing with. He finishes his statement with several journalists at the back still persisting with their commotion.

Pic 3: “Raja le baseko chair”. One asshole taking picture of another asshole sitting on “the” chair. Several “foreign” journalists did not want to miss the opportunity of the life time either and took pictures of themselves posing on the chair. Eventually that chair was broken apart in a “tussle” between the journalists. Kantipur daily has the picture of the unfortunate royal chair.

Pic 4: Another asshole.

Jholay Journalism and the New Nepal

Who is a Jholay Patrakar:

Political party workers turned journalists/reporters/editors; typically carrying a bag (jhola and thus Jholay) and with the party’s hidden agenda and propaganda well tucked inside. Or, any journalist who seeks aspirations, benefits, blessings or favors in some sort/shape from the political parties.

In the recent years, Jholay Patrakar is also the one who carries “chosen” vested interests and certain “hidden agendas” of media houses, especially in the “big” private media organizations.

The trend of “Jholay Patrakar” and “Jholay Patrakarita (Jholay Journalism)” seems to have emerged after the democracy of 2046 BS in Nepal. Political parties unscrupulously made their cadres infiltrate the media houses. The government media suffered ghastly. For instance, with each change in government, many such Jholay Patrakars, representing various political parties, were able to position themselves inside Gorkhapatra, Nepal Television, Radio Nepal, RSS (National News Agency) – and operate for the benefits of the parties.

An example of Jholay Journalism:

The text below is a news text written by a reporter from RSS, the National News Agency.

MINISTER YADAV INAUGURATING ON ENVIRONMENT DAY
Lalitpur, June 5:

Minister for Forest and Soil Conservation Matrika Prasad Yadav said the government was set to provide Nagarjuna palace as a temporary residence to the former king Gyanedra Shah so as to remove him from the Narayanhiti palace.

Minister Yadav said so while speaking at a programme organized by National Trust for Nature Conservation to mark the World Environment Day here today.

It was not necessary to manage a residence to the former king as he is now an ordinary citizen, Minister Yadav opined, adding that the Nagarjuna palace was also for temporary period.

He further said that some forces were still busy in obstructing the route of Maoist progression through pretensions. Similarly, saying that conservation of the forest is impossible until the conversation of natural heritages, he viewed that forest mafias are still active to fulfill their petty desire.

On the occasion, Minister Yadav also gave way the prizes along with certificates to the winners in various games organized to mark the Day.

Member Secretary of the Trust, Bimal Kumar Baniya said people from all sectors should pay attention to nature conservation.

RSS, June 5 2008.

What will trouble any sane mind is the way the lead of the news article is started. It starts with the statement of the minister which is totally irrelevant with the purpose of the function, just said to “heat up” the crowd and the atmosphere.

Even though the occasion was the “World Environment Day 2008″ and the program was being held predominantly among school students, teachers, and parents, our honorable Minister Yadav tactfully inserts a completely unrelated issue in his speech and then, our Jholay Patrakar follows it up by making the minister’s statement as the lead.

Also, in the above news text, there lacks a serious “editorial watchfulness” (along with some grammar mistakes: conversation and way instead of conservation and away).

Sadly, this type of “which minister said what” in the lead of the news articles is one of the most common practices we can see in any format – paper or electronic; government or private.

Journalists, many, are usually busy attending press meets, functions, tea-snacks parties and ceremonies. They are also involved in multitude of unions, organizations and NGOs – serving their self interests and agendas.

In this democratic age as well, unfortunately, the trend of “Jholay Journalism” is still a big part in both the government and private media houses.

“Free journalism and Free media” – concepts that look real on papers and declarations only!

——

Thou Shall Not Castigate Supremo Party

Slur Against Media

The outrageous slur against the media and other political parties by Maoist Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal during a public gathering at Tundikhel has exposed his personal mentality and that of his party. In an attempt to outshine his own colleagues by drawing more applause from his own henchmen, Dahal forgot to conceal his true self. He did not hesitate a bit to show his hatred for the free media and democratic politics. He descended to the level of warning the press not to write anything against his party—an open and ugly display of totalitarian mentality. Interestingly, the very next day they tried to mend fences because they did not wish to unmask their undemocratic face in front of the international community as yet. Baburam Bhattarai did clarify his leader’s gibe by saying that he did not mean to be rude to the media. But it was not said with conviction, so it failed to convince the media. Maybe Bhattarai would not mind letting his nemesis get some bad repute. Dahal himself has not yet mustered enough courage to admit the mistake.

Obviously, the Maoists will try to downplay their slur at the center, but the message from the former rebel chief will have a far-reaching impact all over the country. Local level cadres take their cue from what their leader speaks at the center. It is likely that they will now unleash a reign of terror against media people all over the country. However, it seems the Maoists already have a central policy to attack the opposition press. Even before Dahal spoke against the media, his cadres had been attacking journalists in Kailali district. Journalists Lucky Chaudhary, Hemanta Paudal have been displaced after facing murder attempts. They had written about a local temple and pond, which a local Maoist leader did not like. The situation has worsened to such an extent that over a dozen editors from the district have announced closure of their newspapers owing to threats and insecurity.

After Dahal issued an open threat from Tundikhel, fear has swept the minds of journalists around the country. If anything bad should happen to a single member of the press, comrade Dahal will be held responsible. During dire times such as now, we can do nothing but urge international rights organizations, press freedom organizations and all forces supportive of the freedom of expression and democracy to immediately pay heed to the worsening situation of media persons in Nepal. The diplomatic community in Nepal that has been strongly advocating support of the Maoists must tell them to stop intimidating the press. If the Nepali press fails to get national and international support, we believe our media will be gagged. We feel sorry to realize that in threatening the media, Dahal has followed the line of the infamous Tulsi Giri—chairman of the erstwhile king’s cabinet.

Editorial, The Kathmandu Post
June 1, 2008.

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