The question is self-explanatory today as well. Let’s hear the response from Dr Bhaskar Das in the Dec 16 edition of Das ka Dum…
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Q. Recently, an international study said India is among the most dangerous nations for journalism. As someone who has been in the business for a lifetime albeit on the business side of things, what’s your view?
A. I am somehow sceptical about such random studies. One doesn’t know the methodology of the research, or one doesn’t know if the sample size is statistically significant to predict a deterministic conclusion. So just on the basis of a survey one can’t paint the whole profession and a country to be dangerous. It’s too simplistic. As a journalist do you feel the same? Please add your answer. Your answer would answer the question posed to me.
Since BD asked for an input, here goes: Well, clearly the scene in the big cities isn’t a problem, but taking on people holding big offices or socio-political formations can be tricky. Tricky for not just the person who asks the question, but also others in the organisation. Just as there is a great deal of intolerance in the world around us, journalists too face an ever-increasing dose of flak from sensitive souls esp in government, political organisations, business empires, filmland, sportspersons… the list is endless.