The media's failure to recruit Dalits is a betrayal of the constitutional guarantees of equality and fraternity.
There were almost none in 1992, and there are almost none today: Dalits in the newsrooms of India's media organisations. Stories from the lives of close to 25 per cent of Indians (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) are unlikely to be known — much less broadcast or written about.
Unless, of course, the stories are about squalor and violence. An analyst once summed up the treatment of African-American and Hispanic issues in the American media: such people “rarely travel, eat or get married,” if all you knew about them was what you learned from the media.
Is it a calamity that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are almost completely absent from newspapers and television? Of course it is. It's a calamity for at least three reasons.
First, it means that the Constitution is not being lived up to. The Constitution promises “equality” and “fraternity.” There's something deficient about “equality” if a quarter of the population is missing from the Fourth Estate. And it's hard to fraternise — to practise fraternity — with people who aren't there.
Second, a fitting presence in newsrooms, and the varied coverage that it brings, mitigates the resentment of people who are ignored and discriminated against. Recognition of tribulations and achievements combats discrimination. And if meaningful changes do not happen, resentment will bubble up destructively — as it already does in areas of Maoist influence in eastern India. Constant, probing stories about the triumphs and agonies of people on the margins help to effect remedies and turn barriers into bridges.
A section overlooked
Third, genuine media people, who believe in the old New York Times tag about ferreting out “all the news that's fit to print,” can never be satisfied with producing a newspaper, a magazine or a bulletin that robotically overlooks a quarter of the population (except when there's violence and squalor of course). Grizzled city editors (city editors are always grizzled) used to pose a single question to self-satisfied reporters at the end of the day: “What REALLY happened out there today, boys and girls?” It ought to flash in lights in every newsroom.
The Dalit absence from the media has been focussed on sporadically since 1996. That's when Kenneth J. Cooper, the Washington Post correspondent, himself an African-American, tried to find a Dalit media person in New Delhi. Cooper wrote about his failure to do so, and B.N. Uniyal publicised Cooper's inquiries in the Pioneer. “Suddenly, I realised,” Uniyal wrote, “that in all the 30 years I had worked as a journalist I had never met a fellow journalist who was a Dalit; no, not one.”
Not a single SC, ST
Nothing had changed by the time I published India's Newspaper Revolution in 2000. Nothing had changed by 2006 when a survey on the 10th anniversary of the Cooper-Uniyal inquiry found not a single SC or ST among more than 300 media decision-makers. And nothing much had changed a year ago when the Tamil journalist, J. Balasubramaniam, wrote a personal account in the Economic and Political Weekly.
Kenneth Cooper, now a media consultant and editor based in Boston, began a distinguished career on the St Louis American, an African-American daily that was commercially successful. If there are similarities between the plight of African-Americans in the past (and present) and Dalits today, then why are there no Dalit-oriented media voices like Ebony or Essence magazines or the old St Louis American or Chicago Defender?
Part of the answer lies in the fact that Dalits lack advantages that Black America enjoyed (though “enjoy” is hardly the right word) even in the 1920s. Most important was a black middle class of shop-owners and professionals. Such people could buy advertisements and put up capital to back a publication. Black America worked in a single language, English, and had networks of churches and their pastors who provided respected leaders, education and connections. Martin Luther King was one of many. Black America was also less divided internally: caste among African Americans was not a problem, though skin tone may have been.
If you're inclined to say, “Good journalists, regardless of caste, cover stories objectively” or “Quotas and reservations are the bane of modern India — only ability counts,” consider the nationalist experience. Did the old elites who confronted British rule feel they were satisfactorily represented in The Statesman and the Times of India? They didn't. And The Hindu, Amrita Bazar Patrika, the Hindustan Times, Young India and many others were the result. Babasaheb Ambedkar said it well: “with the press in hand it [is] easy to manufacture great men.”
What might be done to put a Dalit presence into media? Two suggestions. Neither an answer, but both worth considering.
Two suggestions
To begin with, the Editors' Guild could commit itself to carrying out an annual census of newsroom diversity of the kind that the American Society of News Editors (ASNE) began in 1978. In that year, “people of colour” were 4 per cent of people in U.S. newsrooms, though they were close to 30 per cent of the American population. The target was to reach more than 20 per cent by 2000. They missed the target. In 2011, “minorities” were about 13 per cent of American newsrooms, though they constituted 36 per cent of the U.S. population. (That includes African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans and Asians). The new ASNE target date has been set to 2020.
Such targets in India would be difficult. (Targets, remember. Not “reservations” or “quotas”). Caste is so raw and sensitive. But if major organisations took a lead in conducting and publishing an annual audit of diversity, and included women and Muslims in such an audit, an embarrassment factor would kick in. Lesser organisations might feel obliged to follow or be singled out for ridicule.
A middle class is growing slowly among people at the bottom of India's pyramid (BOIP). People near the bottom, most of whom are Dalits, need a publication that looks at the world from their perspective — bottom up, not top down. A BOIP middle-class needs a first-class publication — an Ebony or an Essence, two of the glossy magazines of Black America that report achievements as well as outrages.
Classy & different
A slick, view-from-below magazine (English and Hindi) would cover stories from the margins in ways that people at the margins would recognise. And its journalism could be so compelling that others would want to read it for its classiness and its difference. In a tiny, budget-conscious way, the Dalit-focussed publisher, Navayana, already tries to do this in the book trade.
Such a publication would need to be run by a trust, and some of the capital would need to come from a Dalit middle-class itself. But the corpus of the trust could be built from donations from people-of-goodwill from all backgrounds and from one-off contributions from governments. Rs. 100 crore would make a realistic target — a mere $20 million, the cost of a couple of mid-priced battle-tanks or a small slice of 2G spectrum.
What about television? For about a year-and-a-half before I first came to India in 1967, I wrote a daily television column for a small-town newspaper in western Canada. I watched a lot of U.S. and Canadian television. There were no Black people on TV. When I came back to North America in 1970, Flip Wilson, an African-American comedian, had a popular TV show. Something dramatic had happened. Thirty-eight years later, the U.S. elected a Black President.
Are there any Dalits anchoring a programme or going regularly to camera on a major Indian television channel? My contacts tell me there aren't. It will be a big moment when that changes — and a daunting burden on the person who breaks that barrier.
Achieving “equality” and “fraternity” in India may be harder even than the path that African Americans have had to follow. There are more divisions, fewer resources and huge disparities. But until there is diversity on television screens and printed pages, the promises of the Constitution will be unfulfilled, unthinking prejudice will persist and simmering resentment will grow. Media diversity is a matter of national self-interest as well as justice.
(Robin Jeffrey is Visiting Research Professor, Institute of South Asian Studies and Asia Research Institute National University of Singapore. The article is based on the Rajendra Mathur Memorial Lecture delivered in New Delhi on 31 March, 2012.)
Keywords: dalits, discrimination, racism, caste
it's interesting how so many comments have made the author's discussion into an anti-reservation tirade, even though he has not been actively advocating the same. This just goes to show how casteist Indian society is - it seems as if any discussion on dalits must be abruptly stopped by raising the question of resetrvations in a completely senseless, if not typicallyupper-caste way. whether we likeitor not, the fact remains that reservations are in fact the best option we have been able to devise in our society. and the blame for the perversions of this instrument of social justice lies more at the door of the upper castes, in that it is their die-hard resistance to eradication of caste that has brought upon us such a seemingly draconian instrument. yes, it is because we continue to hold on to a modernized notion of caste society that the obscene greed of us upper castes can only be controlled through the brute force of the law.
I appreciate the concerns raised by the Robin. Also many more has responded and raised the various relevant point. We are tracking and monitoring mainstream media from last more than eight years very closely on daily basis. We are also disseminate this through our “ Dalits Media Watch” E group on daily basis. I don't think that Dalits could get in to the news rooms just on the basis of constitutional provisions . It needs more proactive and affirmative approach to break the upper caste mindset that Dalits are burden in the country and ignorance towards their contribution on the net growth of the country . We need to put forward the relevancy and justifications in the favor of their claim. Now the forth state of the so-called democracy has been drastically gone away far from its social obligation role & responsibility and become industry. Who will ensure proper use of opportunity if at all Dalit get in to the media? Practically I don’t think that without establishing the share of Dalits in the consumer market as users it is possible to get in to the media as it is completely private sector and operated by the consumer market with strong caste mind set. Space in media and news room will be possible only when it would be established that there are strong readership and viewership available among Dalit community and Dalits are also major contributor and users of consumer market. Over the 65 years of independence, a small-empowered section (Around 5-6%) of Dalits has emerged as middle class. They are primary consumer or users of the consumer maket and could be target group for the media. Very little number of Dalits are in the media but they are not at all allowed to work on Dalit issues because they have not entered in to the media on the basis on caste or Specialization/ interest on Dalits issues. Even most of them have not revealed their original caste identity. I know some of the Dalit journalist in the media at Delhi, Mumbai and even in Lucknow in the leading media houses. Even most of them keep distance from Dalit groups. The need of hour is that media houses and journalist must be sensitized and on Dalit issues. They do need orientation on different aspects on Dalit issue. Dalit platforms have to develop strong linkages with media houses / senior journalists and strong advocacy with the media would ensure some level of space in the media on Dalits issues which will further lead to the space for Dalits in the NEWS ROOM.
For all my Brother and sister who had quoted above.some are asking to remove the reservation or not to give another Target based reservation . but they do,nt know how many comments are from dalits? this shows the non-egalitarian mentality from indian society. Race should start from the same line. India constitution provides reservation on the basis of Social ground not on the basis of Economic ground. all who are reading THE HINDU are from the class of educated one, maximum comes from private schools. Do all dalit have equal access to such education to reach the level of other which they own now.
no, In your television serials how many serial's story shows the presence of Dalit or other backward communities . About 25% of Indian population get no representation in such serials . Now do we need another reservation in such serial stories. It is true constitution was unable to change the mind set of Us the biased".
Please understand the need.
this was a nice article. thanks the HINDU
The day Dalits will stop thinking of themselves being 'inferior' is
the day when they'll succeed. I can't understand how the author
compares 'colored' people and 'dalits' in contemporary scenario. Give
a colored guy a 'free seat' on reservation and that will offend him.
All what 'colored' claim is to be treated equally. They don't ask for
special privileges as in the case of Dalits or backward classes in
India who abuse the system to make their own life easy. I had problems
getting in Graduate school because of reservations, only to know that
the guy with reservation drives a Honda to college and I take the bus,
after paying the donation which was the only way to get in. Luckily,
(I bring this up because the author drags the US in the article) the
US doesn't care if you're a dalit or open or Indian. I did my Master
degree with no discrimination and full funding only on the basis of my
work and academic achievements. This thinking is only going to add
hatred towards Dalits in few years.
How about start-banning reservations in Temples first? Are we ready? 99% of the writers will keep quiet.
Movies are a mass medium in India. Media is not. Significant representation of the Dalits in the movie actor community will be far more effectivein making them mainstream.
@ Varun Pai
Sir, i completely agree with you.. This article is unnecessary. Looks like The Hindu is following the same path as Times of India. Printing unwanted articles to create disharmony in general life
Meritocracy is a myth. Nobody is born with any special powers. All are born Equal. Just give equal opportunity. Any meritorious Dalit student will be seen with a suspicion due to social prejudice. It will take lot of time and efforts by all to get a real and equal opportunity India, without any prejudice by Birth.
Politicians of India survive well based on splitting nature of the society. Economically downtrodden poor from minority caste kept out from the benefits of Government sponsored quota system of more than 60 years. The rich from SC/ST live well with money power, better life style, continue to plough on the benefits for their children and grandchildren. Where is equality, fraternity that Indian constitution establishes? There is a social divide, which established, perpetuated and it feeds the purpose of politicians. What India needs is to unite the forces to further the progress. I agree with what one reader suggested there are sexes, Male and female and three social castes, rich, poor and middle-class.
Amitha Gandhi note is correct. Let Hindu lead the way. Let Hindu put
well educated Dalith in editorial board. There are many Dalith
English professors are available.
How many Dalits are there in The Hindu media group ? please show the way first.parctice what you preach (write)
Robin Jeffrey, which world do you come from? Please talk about competition and not reservation. You seem to be educated and you should know that it is more important to focus on poor people and governance issues rather than focusing on a particular community. You article doesn't have any merit and it is also a devisive article. I would say it is anti national.
All the major media ownership and management is controlled by upper
caste people. This can be one of the the reasons for the
discrimination. The historical backwardness of dalits can be adding
to this problem.
A well written article. The Hindu does a commendable job by publishing
these type of articles when most of the other media is after 'masala'
trying desperately to increase viewership.
An interesting analogy to the situation of Dalit could be a newborn
baby. Both needs to be taught, trained and treated with patience and
respect. Both needs time and space to grow, shine and stand on their
won feet.
It's a proven fact that Indian's doesn't know how to respect people
and discrimination against Dalits is a typical example. There is also
a belief that Indians are the most racist people in world.
I work for an English daily in Mumbai. Although the number of Dalits is lower than 25%, it is much more than what one would find in other private organisations (about 15-16% rough calculation).
Also the number of minorities (Muslims and Christians) would be more than 20% in the media, at least in the organisation I work in.
I think, Dalits who hail from challenging economic environment would not prefer a job in media, as it is less rewarding (in monitory terms) than say engineering or medicine or actually most other professional jobs.
If the author is talking about equality, then all Indians shud be given reservation...he shud learn that no amount of reservation for umpteen period (already 65 yrs!!) wil take them ahead...actually, reservation system is taking them more bakwards...n why shud one set a target for any particular category...d interested ones shud compete...no body can stop them, if they really have it in them!! Think...
I would like to high-light the problems of dalits w.r.t the dominance of OBC.Brahmins don't come anywhere near Dalits.They are scared of them,atleast the present generation. An estimated 300 people, mostly Dalits, have been murdered. The Thevars, a Shudra caste, in terms of their hold over rural assets and institutions, can only be compared to the Jats or the Yadavs of UP. The Thevars make up about 18 per cent of TN's population. Consider the following scenario. If the Jats and Yadavs together constituted 18 per cent of UP's population, what would have happened to the Dalits? Today, the Jats (1.6%) and the Yadavs (8.7%), together, constitute a mere 10.3 per cent of UP's population and their behaviour with the Dalits is still abominable. The Vanniars are concentrated in the west and north of Tamil Nadu. At the time of independence, they were slightly better off than the Dalits, in terms of landholdings. But due to the anti-Brahman movement, they are fattening at lightning speed and their medieval methods have made life for Dalits difficult. Remember, Veerappan is a Vanniar. The Vanniars also make up about 18 per cent of TN's population. Now imagine if all the major land owning castes in UP, ie Rajput (7.2), Bhumihar (0.4), Tyagi (0.1), Jat (1.6), Yadav (8.7), Kurmi (3.5), Lodh (2.2) Gujjar (0.7), decided to back a single political front. What would happen to the Dalits who, in their day-to-day lives, are confronted with these castes? Can any other front in UP match this combine in any kind of electoral battle? What has happened in TN's Assembly elections is simply this? After the Brahmans' total elimination from TN's political power structure in 1967, the upper caste Shudras monopolised the wealth and institutions of Tamil society. The Dalits had also celebrated the Brahmans' demise from the power structure. But Tamil Nadu Dalits have suddenly realised that, in the rural areas, of every 100 of them, 78 are landless agricultural labourers, as against 47 in UP. Thus, after capturing power, each upper shudra caste is claiming a Kshatriya-like status and emulating the Kshatriyas' medieval forms of oppression. The Thevars and Vanniars have been the backbone of the anti-Brahman movement, and have been shifting loyalties from the DMK to the AIADMK. Mandal gave them a new message, and they are now aspiring to a direct hold over the power structure. Through Sashikala Natrajan, the Thevars have control over Jayalalitha. The Vanniars have their PMK, which was a part of the Secular Front. Karunanidhi, himself a lower caste Shudra, realised the upper caste Shudras were charting their own path and made a desperate attempt to install a new coalition of TN's social proletariat. But, what he miscalculated, was that the people who don't control rural assets, cannot determine poll results. I was not stunned by a story filed by R Elangovan in the Chennai edition of The Hindu: Dalit card cost DMK OBC vote bank. The new Dalits must understand changing social realities: while the Left hand of the nation is celebrating the triumph of secularism in TN, the Right is silent. But the Dalits are threatened by the triumph of social fascism.
Its not general category's fault that dalits are absent in media.Maybe we should give them reservation in media rooms....Give reservation i everything because they are not worthy enough to earnm by themselves.
The absence of the SC and STs in the news rooms of the media may have
some role in how news is presented especially when it concerns
them.During 1989 when there were bloody caste riots in the Cumbum,Bodi
and Theni areas "special correspondents" from the national dailies
interviewed people from the affected areas.Probably they met only the
non-sc sections and reported with the utmost certainty that
reservation for the scs in educational institutions and government
jobs was the sole reason for the riots.Because of their background or
their own prejudices they glossed over the fact that each caste lives
in its own area and others are not welcome in their streets.Of course
the cheris are the exclusive preserve of the Scs. Despite theirp rivileged background and education they never bothered to tell the
others or themselves that India has been a land of reservations;cheris
for the Scs and Agraharams for the Brahmins. Tokenism is no remedy for
this malady.
Why still we are sticking to give reservation on the basis of caste; instead i feel it is the economic backgroung which should be considered for the upliftment of mordern India. After all no poor is poor only because he is a Dalit. Lack of quality primary education employment opportunities and lack of transparency in government policy implementation are the main reasons for this economic divide.
In all Indian universities/colleges reservations are extended to SC/STs in the Journalism courses and almost all the ear-marked seats are filled up by them.Then how come nobody is making upto the media room? I think the question should have been about the availability of opportunities for people of certain castes in a particular profession rather than the number of people belonging to a certain group that work in the media or any other field.Merely counting the number of people falling under some category can be misleading and can lead to wrong conclusions.
Talking of Equality and Fraternity,i think author is not fully aware
of India because if he had been he should have known that SC/ST are privileged with 24% quota in all Govt. JOBS and Premier
institutes.Just because their presence in media and television is not
in numbers it doesn't mean that they are being neglected
everywhere.There are numerous example of many SC/ST(who are not under
privileged)who are chosen ahead of other candidates in most coveted
govt. jobs.
In USA, until 60's blacks were suffered much more than Dalits in India. They fought for their Rights,not for Reservation's. Now they excelled in every field and Barack Obama became president with out Reservation. Educate dalits to excel with their knowledge. Dont teach them to become parasites of the indian society with resevation.
An interesting read. Going by the same logic, why don't we have SC/ST/OBC's as leading actors in Bollywood? Why don't we have SC/ST/OBC's in the Indian cricket team? Why doesn't the IPL have SC/ST/OBC's in their league?
This article is inciting the unnecessary hatred in the minds and hearts of a common man who isn't given similar privileges. I grew up without the knowledge or idea about caste-ism. I am a Brahmin, by that matter, I should be practicing untouchability according to the author. In all honesty, I have never in my life gauged/judged a person on caste/religious basis and I know many people who have done the same. What the author needs to know is that, we are no more living in the stone age and hence, we don't have to endure the banes of our forefathers ! Author should learn from how the western countries have fared in this matter. Black-white issue I think is parallel to ours. 60 years since Indian independence and we still live with this ghost and a politicians dream !
This article is very divisive in nature and promote divide in the society. When we read or listen to media, we do not try to find out that if the subject or journalist is a Dalit or non Dalit. Seeing everything as Dalit vs. Non-Dalit and trying to find Dalit angle in everything is very damming for ‘Equality’, ‘Fraternity’ and ‘Democracy’.
There are many serious issues in front of marginalized (Dalit and Non Dalit both) people of India such as food, education, home, medical, sanitation, poverty etc. There is one and only one way to achieve ‘Equality’ and ‘Fraternity’ – here inequality word is not limited to Dalit vs. Non-Dalit, it includes all types of inequality in Indian society - and that is EDUCATION and PROSPERITY. Instead of promoting divisive politics, we should be focusing on the real issue.
In an interview, interviewer does not ask the cast of the candidate. I believe if someone is educated and talented in the field of journalism, he will definitely get the media job.
This article has no base unless the author can present us with sold
proof that the lack of dalits in the media is because they were denied the position
owing to their caste.
The author has failed to see the other side of the issue. For entering
into journalism, one should have a passion for Journalism which is not
an ordinary job. No community can claim passion as their own. If
passion is there, anybody can do journalism. Secondly, if the existing
newspapers do not have Dalits in newsrooms, Dalit politicians like
Mayawati and Paswan who are multi-millionaire can well establish
regional and national newspapers and appoint dalits in newsrooms.
Nobody is preventing them from doing so. Would they do? Instead of
constructing elephants in the State of U.P by spending public money to
the tune of crores , she can start newspapers by appointing their
community. Hence, the author is advised to send this article to
Mayawati, if he is really interested in the welfare of the Dalit
community.
Fantastic observation. This is so easy to spot. but i dont think
the higher caste would have not noticed it-reason: they are
surrounded by the same people at work as they are at home. What
this nation needs is a reconciliation like South Africa, else we
are going towards a bloody future. Swami Vivekananda has mentioned
this a 100 years back. Dalits have been marginalized so long in
the name of color and caste that the real national issues never
get published or talked about, because the people who control it
worried only about things that affect them.
There are some newspapers(for eg,LOKMAT IN MAHARASHTRA) who willfully
avoid publishing news related to Dalit.This is their inclination
towards their own brothers.
But I have to point out one important thing that in Maharashtra,Dalits
have started their own newspapers(for eg,SAMRAT,MAHANAYAK,MULNIVASI)
even channels(eg,LORD BUDDHA TV).Now,Dalits in Maharashtra are not
dependent on mercy of biased newspapers for representing them and
their grievances.
Thanks to the writer and The Hindu for this article.
Its really embarrassing to hear everywhere about communal representation.I want to remind the author that there are 22.5% MPs
from Dalits in parliament but doing nothing for the upliftment of the
Dalits except asking for reservations ( even in LOKPAL which will have
5 or 7 members).
I have never thought of the very idea that in media who are from which
community.So I hope all of us should see to the problem not the
community of the sufferer's.There are so many in India from general
category who are in much more need than so called minority.
Government and NGOs should see to the problem not the community which
he belong then only equality and fraternity among our Indians will develop.
I am going to settle down in some foreign country. I do not want my children to grow up in a country where meritocracy makes way for mediocrity.
Why are you people trying to divide the people and isolate some population by trying it up with a particular incident? Does not having a single man of a particular sect in a cricket team or a research team means that they were not allowed to watch cricket or not allowed to enter a university? Do you have any data to testify the fact that absence means discrimination? Don't call this a violation of something. It means an issue upto oneself or more specifically ones own consideration for some personal or other reasons.If someone is not giving a hit in one area consider that he may not be interested in it and he is more worth in some other area.The yesteryear's casteist attitude has taken a back-seat and the results of some incidents like a party's fall-out based on casteist election manifesto bears a testimony to it.Try to bring in their participation based on some infallible righteous arguments but not on some micorscopic narrow-minded ideologies.Jai Hind.
Constitution says "equals should be treated as equals". However,caste system can no longer be used as a parameter to assess "equality". Back when the constitution was formed Dr.Ambedkar advocated the system of reservation but i don't think that can and should be continued for too long. Scanty participation of Dalits and 'oppressed' castes in media can not be just attributed to 'caste inequality'. The participation of dalits in other academic fields is not that low! Be it engineering or medical,they are in large numbers. Then why is it so that the writer 'finds' low turn out in media? Perhaps the mechanism of getting into this line is different from others,which does not involve reservation.This simply implies that the problem is not caste issue but the concession that has been provided in academic fields that eventually leads to complacency in their attitude.Thus fields that don't involve reservation,there is low participation.
Nice article: it might not be fulfilled to get Dalit representation in
news room: not even in movies: Dalit movies too are acted by white
guys/non Dalits: Dalits, as the names says, still lives shattered.
But there might be converted Dalits (to Christian or Budhism): I am
surprised, if you were not able to spot that too.
But, converted Dalits dont tally in the reservation/quota system.
I came from a rural UPPER CASTE but LOWER CLASS family. Education was the top priority despite very limited income. I started with a BROKEN government primary school and made it to the top school (IIT) in India and came to North America to gain some diverse experience. Despite my strong desire to go back and do something for my country, RESERVATION is one of the major thing that I am worried about. I believe in equality of all human and I believe that there should be some support for the people who are coming from the rural/backward/lower caste group, but it should not be at the cost of Merit, for example, let them give 1-5 percent benefit in the merit but they should not be hired just because they belong to one or another particular group.
You can choose to give priority treatment to give one or another particular group, but think about what India is losing because of that and Luckily, India is not the last place who care for Merit, Innovation and Ideas.
Listen, if we believe that only Dalits will provide 'true' stories about Dalits, then why not also
believe only Dalit judges should sit in courtrooms in cases involving their community? Or
that only Dalit police be allowed to arrest Dalit offenders? Our republic is young and
unfortunately the general state of neglect inflicted upon the lower castes, comes from an
overall apathy to governance and poverty eradication. Yet, must we destroy our sense of
common fraternity by promoting the view only a member of your community will give us a
fair hearing in the Press or the judiciary or the police? I do however, like the idea of a trust
promoting better representation from our complex population mix.
I broadly agree with the theme of the article. But it has a serious
flaw: it not say how the author came to this conclusion. Did she ask
the HR department of newspapers and tv stations, the only place where
anyone would have officially recorded their caste. Many Dalits have
become Christians or Buddhists and newsroom staff are unlikely to know
if they are Dalits or not. Same problem with Kenneth Cooper asking
reporters if they knew of any Dalits in the newsroom. If Mr. Unniyal
and his friends were unable to spot a Dalit reporter, does that mean
there were none? Having been a journalist myself for 40 years, I know
no one asks this information in the newsroom--although I must admit
that plenty of inappropriate talk against Dalits goes on in every
newsroom.
Excellent article and I agree with the author whole heartily that there
is an urgent need to step up SC/ST numbers in fourth estate. I feel its
time for well-off people from backward sections to come forward and take
a timely initiative so that these divisions in the society are
mitigated.
The author is probably looking at only the English press. Regional press
has many Dalit journalists. English press covers only a minority of the
readership in India though they are disproportionately influential.
Comparison of African-American people on TV vs Dalits in Indian TV may
not be correct since there it is color which identifies the person. A
Dalit person won't be visible on TV wearing a board or tag that I am
Dalit. However the point the author is making is well taken and Indian
press need to introspect on this.
The author's point about not hearing the voice of 25% of the country
does seem valid. If considerable amount of people are not there to
present their side of the story, we may never know the facts.
But I do not support reservations when it is handed over to the 2nd
generation of beneficiaries. When the 2nd generation of the
beneficiaries are brought up in the same environment with the same
access to various facilities, it just doesn't seem right to give them
the benefits of reservation once again. Also there should be some kind
of policy that states that if a person claims reservation for his
education, he cannot claim it for securing a job or something like
that. This could create a level playing field for everyone.
It is a nicely written article raising certain germane issues posing the social equality in Indian society. What I fail to understand and Professor Jeffrey have overlooked is despite having a significant presence in the Indian political galleries, none of the Dalit politicians have ventured into starting a Dalit TV Channel or a Dalit Newspaper. African American media is run by African Americans in the position of influence and wealth. I must point out that Black Entertainment Television wasn't broadcasting until the 80's. Two decades after segregation was formally ended in the US. Indian caste system is far more complex and hence comparisons with African Americans should not be made.
The root cause of all problems in India may be traced to lack of education and
poverty. Provide best possible free education to all, particularly to the children of
BPL families up to CLass XII at least. Media houses must recruit every year some of
them (after completing Class XII) with aptitude for this profession as "trainees" and
provide on the job training in all departments. A fair balance of Dalits and Non-
Dalits may be considered while recruiting the trainees. If this is started now, one
may find a "5 year old Dalit" of today in the Newsroom in about 20 years. I say this,
because were it not for the British rulers opening educational institutions across
India, most brahmins would never have gone to schools and colleges. There were
many, who just after Class X and gaining skills in shorthand and typing found jobs
in Newspaper offices in 40s and some reached very top position as well.More than
caste,it is lack of EDUCATION that is holding growth of Dalits. Quota alone won't
help.
Dalits will get their due place only if their selectors / media owners are dalits. So this will not happen in existing media houses. In Politics, Dalits are doing more than well because of their solid vote bank. So I suggest rich Dalits like Mayawati should create new media houses, employ dalit editors and instruct all dalits to patronize only dalit media and shut out the elitist, either news papers or TV. Grow big to make the other smaller, Natural justice!
Such a lousy article from Hindu. Govt. is the place for reservation, not
the private organizations. Private organizations look for throughput. If
the throughput is going to be brought by any section of the society
private organizations will not think about recruiting them. Media in
India is largely private. Is this a trial to seep in the reservation
system to the private organizations?
Now that we've done a caste analysis of those in the media, will the
same kind of analysis be extended to other sectors like the army, navy,
air force, cricket team, football team etc? Where will this end? I echo
the sentiments of RK Singh in one of these posts. There are only 3
castes in India - Rich, Middle Class & Poor.
It is sad that even educated people are not free of the Divisive
Mindset.Will there be a day in India when people are categorised based on the economical forwardness/backwardness/wealth/poverty
etc instead of Caste/Religion-a divide our political classes and financially Well To Do individuals have been exploiting over decades.When we accept the bare and cruel fact that in Poverty and Hunger There is NO CASTE/RELIGION
The India media is a classic example of power capture by the social
elite. There is rarely a proper representation of people from the so
called down-trodden social section of our society. Well the Indian
constitution guarantees the equality in all forms to every citizen of
the nation but the ultimate decision lies in the sub-conscious
mindsets of the people who are in power or are part of the India intelligentsia who command a great degree of influence in the field of
print and electronic media.
The absence of a section of society in the media has resulted in the
either misrepresentation or partial representation of the views and
opinions of the people of the secluded class (not in the literal
meaning of the term). Indian society is diverse and the problems are
diverse. It is very often possible that we Indian fail to see our
deficiencies or overlook them for the benefit of the own group. The
Indian are notorious for their group identity rather than individual identity in modern era.
Whenever a corrupt is caught red-handed, s/he is immediately demonised
by the media and public as sc/st based on our immaculate and inherited
knowledge of surnames. The same eagerness to brand a reserved category
student as incompetent & non-meritorious is palpable whenever a
student commits suicide without ever waiting to learn about the actual
reason. The fact that all students in NIT/IIT/IIM have to pass the
exams (for degree) with same standards irrespective of category and
the fact that 93% of employment in India is in private sector and that
includes large number of sc/st too, is often lost due to heightened
passions vis-a-vis reservation debate. Agree with Abhilasha that
everything is fine until the 'surname' props up! While serious changes
are needed in the reservation policy so as to provide benefits only to
the needy & deserving, the discrimination w.r.t caste can't be solved
until society changes itself. Universal education may help in long-run
to fight this menace.
We have already made a huge mistake by having reservation to dalits and backward classes in many institutions(education and jobs). This resulted in mediocre work in these institutions and created a psychological discrimination among them and made them feel discriminated. Instead they should have had built a strong education system which every poor family irrespective of caste can attend. This was slow but a sure way of bringing them to main stream without discrimination. Same applies to minorities as well. This was one of the worst policy used by British to divide the indian society and unfortunately instead of diluting it Indian Goverment and Politicians support and encourage for their vote banks.
This can only be solved when reservations are followed in media too. I am not sure when this will happen. But if the long article written by the author will be useful only if quota is introduced and there by we can bring their stories to limelight.
Please remember that not in India there are only 2 religions, 2 castes
and 2 communities. Rich and poor. So do not get things mixed-up.If you
still have not understood, look at the life style of children of rich
politicians, bureaucrats and businessman belonging to SC/ST, OBC,
Minorities etc which is more or less same as the rich sections of
upper caste. Again, the poor belonging to these categories continue to
struggle for the basic necessities. If reservation had the capacity to
solve the problems of inequality, it would have done long back. Even
Ambedkar wanted for 10 years and visionary people like Purno Sangma
are against the crutches of reservation.In this e-world, it is high time
Govt stops asking the religion and castes of its citizens.They should
be classified into 3 categories Rich, Poor and Middle Class.
This is well articulated article which requires thorough examination of the fact that how many Dalits have applied for a particular job, it is true that their representation is necessary but what guarantees that equality and fraternity will be there?
Reservation is a social engineering for the benefit of lower section of the society. after six decades of reservation policy if we haven't provided them equality then there is flaw in implementation.
More thank 60 years after independence, after a 'Dalit' ( I am ashamed to use such words) becoming the President of India, after a 'Dalit' becoming speaker,after a 'Dalit' becoming a Chief Justice and after 'Dalits' becoming Chief Ministers, ministers, MPs, MLAs such discourses in these modern ages are divisive ,archaic and have no place in any forum.
Quotas, Hindus, Muslims, Minorities, Dalits,north Indian, South Indian, Dravidian, Aryan, Tamils, Malayalees,Bengalis, Punjabis, Backwards, most backwards,Vanniars, Thevars, Nadars, Khurmis, Bhumihars; Oh how cruel it is to butcher Indians into these tiny chops of narrow mindedness.
when will India be free of this anachronistic discourses!
Each individual has his/her own wishes to grow. Just because a particular industry has a less than average proportion of people doesn't mean it needs to be forcibly filled in with other communities.
Its not absence of opportunities. Its absence of willingness to enter the field.
Dalits are a minority in many sectors, media being just one. That aside, the media is not a favourable option for Dalits. They are yet to embrace the English media, maybe if a census of the vernacular media is done, we will see a representation from the minority section. To compare the african-american case study with dalits is not right as the caste taboo is still very evidently prevalent in India as may not be case in the West.
Giving opportunities to the deprived is just one thing. The most important part is to have the aptitude to take them. Dalits have forever languished in the dark, not because of governmental policies, but because of their own social practices and strict and steadfast adherence to outdated mores.
So this is not about providing them reservation, but spreading education in rural India.
When it comes to SC/ST, no one is finding "common" issues. The opinions are diverse and at times brutually against them.
When will the so called "upper castes" people will realise the loss of "intellectual erosion" in the SC/ST peoples due to practice of caste system ?
Thinking about the Dalits in India it has always been kept neglected.
As rightly said society is always informed about the violence on dalit's and how they are victimized. But there are also many other such
incidences where Dalit has shown his/her best and have also taken up higher post's in public Like IAS, IPS and many more... But it is very
true that media will decide what will be the gossip for the day...
Even if Dalits are recruited under a 'target', believe me, they cannot
focus only on dalit issues during their journalistic career! Since the
author is so fond of quoting the American experience, let me tell him
that African Americans in America think that President Obama does not
do enough for their community! They constantly find fault that he
doesn't act 'black enough'!!! Similarly, even if there are dalits in
the media, their coverage of dalit issues will never be 'enough' for
the dalit community. That is the occupational hazard they have to
face, which will further victimize these professionals. So, it is not
as easy as the author makes it out to be. Those who arise out of this
class into the professionals will be extra careful NOT to identify
completely with their caste/class in their writings, in order to not
be seen as biased. Can anyone blame them?
Did any Dalit candidate apply? Was the candidate rejected? Because of
merit? Will just meeting the target solve the problem? Is the coverage
skewed because of the lack of Dalits in the newsroom? Are Dalit issues
not being covered because there are no Dalits in the newsroom? And why
should the U.S. standard be the one that India has to follow? The writer
has not touched upon any of these issues.
Indian news media (at least on TV) - is only for the urban , upper class Indians with a fair skin. Not for the dark skinned ones coming underprivileged classes. Let us face the fact squarely - racial prejudices are very dominant in Indian media - the English language News Channels in particular.
Reservation is such a controversial issue that everyone wants to comment on it without knowing anything. We all first need to admit in our hearts that something seriously wrong happened in the past with our own people and we always need to pay a price in present for our horrific past. Now comes the question of SC/ST people in the media.Caste doesn't guarantees merit neither it deprives of it.Some incentives and motivation needs to be provided to people with less resources, so that they can come forward. As far as reservation for IAS son is concerned that is all gimmick of our so called politicians who don't want to amend the reservation policy. I'm a girl belonging to Schedule caste and i'm neither proud nor ashamed of my caste as i believe caste is not something we should be proud or ashamed of. But till my caste is not disclosed people say, i'm meritorious and dynamic, a girl can ever be,and after that i'm all because of my caste,why??. When this will change???
'Equal Opportunity Employer' is a hardly found phrase in India, be it in industry,
education, or media. Its puzzling why are we such a turtle-slow in providing social
justice although it is constitutionally mandated. Social reforms started in the last
century but we still are discovering discrimination in different sectors. Why dont
we 'rate' all institutions in all sectors (both public and private) based on their
ethical practice and constitutional uphold. The rating must include the diversity of
Indian population in the employees including state, religion and caste. This would
give people an understanding of the mindset of the institution and also an opportunity for the institutions to see themselves their ethical standing. I don't
know whether Forbes include these things in their rating but for India, it is a must.
The larger issue is the disproportionate coverage given to Dalit issues in Indian media, or to any minority for that matter, that does not make juicy headlines and, larger sales and website hits. Though a newspaper A may hire Dalit journalists, there is no guarantee that enough space will be given to Dalit issues (not to suggest that those Dalit journalists will cover only Dalit issues).
Though I agree with the brief/theme of the above article, but by watching other side of it reveals the true story. And that side is that media is no governmental and have no reservation there. And this is because they don't want any votes from people. What ever policies are implemented since independence, are making richer more rich and poorer more poor. And that’s why Dalits remain Dalits till now and will remain to do so on same road. And that's why I am totally against reservation based on caste. If scenario have to change people have to think different. It has to based on income of the family or some thing more appropriate. Which will benefit those who deserve.
It is mentioned as "The media's failure to recruit Dalits" and "Is it a calamity that Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are almost completely absent from newspapers and television?". As far as i know, any job/role/position has a requirement and of 'all' the applications received for that position, the deserving candidates are chosen based on their experience, skill etc required for that role without any bias. At the same time, it cannot be forced upon a Dalit to accept a position just because it is required.
Also, as mentioned in one of the earlier comment, it will be good if there is information available which has details of How many Dalits applied for a position, How many were rejected because of the same reason.
The article does reflect the true state of our fourth estate. I have come across a gentleman who has a journalism degree and belongs to the scheduled caste. He was working for a renowned tv channel but had to quit after he saw no future in it. The worst part is that he had given up on that profession and now working in the software industry. This might just be one of the many cases that show how the SC/STs are not given an equal platform in the media. If they do get an opportunity to step in the field they certainly do not have the guarantee of equality and fraternity in the profession.
Although its a valid point that media should remain free from caste bias but people who belong to a certain section of society will understand it better than those outside it. Thus to give a deeper perspective and diversification to media 'Harijans' should be promoted in to the fourth estate.
Very well written article. Such introspection is really needed at a time, when people are blinded by the argument favoring abolition of reservation. Here we have an entity which does not guarantee reservation, and we have no presence of Dalits after all these years of independence in that entity. The plight would be the same if the reservation is abolished from government sectors/educational institutions. Dilution of quality cannot be an argument against reservation because all those elite upper classes once after graduating are eager to fly to the greener pastures outside the country. And lets remind ourselves that reservation is a social engineering benefit rather than an economic uplift. A highly payed scavengers son would find it hard to beat the odds to get an education while a meagerly paid priest son will find it easy to gain an education. Reason, Social outlook.
Dalits are not interested in media and journalism because they don't have reservations in these jobs. They mostly look for secure options where their being Dalit can be useful. How do you know that someone is a dalit while you recruiting them, if they don't have Ambedkar or Paswan as last name? Or do you want them to write their caste on the application forms? Wouldn't then you bring caste into media? They choose what comes easy to them. I am sure there must SC/ST media professionals but they don't want to publicize it as they got their jobs on merit.
yes it is fact that, there are very few dalits or no dalits at all in the newsrooms especially those of the english newspapers but it is not correct to the extent that, one can find significant if not sizable representation of dalits in the newsrooms of marathi newspapers,
The notion that only a person of one's own caste understands the
concern of a fellow kin is seriously flawed. If this was the case,
there would have been absolutely no coverage w.r.t. underprivileged
sections of the society in media since as per author's logic, there
are not enough editors from these sections of the society. We have to
understand a simple fact that proliferation of media (specially
electronic media) in India is a fairly recent phenomenon and a
comparison with US is grossly unfair. It will take time for the media
to evolve and be more inclusive as well as representative in its
character. Yes, there can be some seemingly biased stories but in
general, I would say that media is fair. But it can contribute more
towards nation building by focusing on issues like caste
discrimination, female infanticide, communal riots, gender bias, dowry
deaths and honour killings. The objective has to be a fair,
transparent and responsive media and not a media divided on caste-
lines.
When the question of caste, representation and reservation arise, two diametrically opposite views crops up. One, reservation is heinous & irrational - the word caste should be abolished, shoved under a carpet. Two, because of historical oppression and suppression reservation is a must. We always stand at polar ends and try to shake hands. A rational and balanced approach is always required. Reservation enhanced the lives of numerous Dalits, but it is being repetitively enjoyed by the same section who are economically well off. There are indeed many deserving Dalits but made to lurch in the dark. The authors point of Dalits not present in newsroom is well taken. Indian newsroom and people in general has not yet accepted a dark colored person anchoring news. Thereto most of the Dalits do not have the exposure which this industry demands and those who have are treading on a careful well-known/common salaried employment to climb the so-called social strata.
I work for a reputed MNC.Many of my peers and superiors come from the so called 'Scheduled Castes'.No where in our recruitment form the candidate's caste is asked.The company picks people whom they consider to be suitable for the job.The recruitment process is totally business driven.The same applies to the media houses.They would pick the best man for the job,irrespective of his caste.
I honestly don't understand the requirement of a 'caste identity' in every field. I want qualified, educated, broad-minded, efficient people in all fields - they could be Dalits, Muslims, Brahmins, anyone - please do not advocate reservation everywhere! Our country is already paying its price! Would we need another 100 years to change?
The purpose of education still not achieved. I saw lot of comments telling about reservations. It's given based on the population belonging to particular community. Difference is not possible until the change in the minds of people. Our education system should create awareness and illumination in younger minds...Hope for a good change in near future.
I do not agree with writer on this. Many people are there in the
organizations who do not wish to show their castes. They may be Dalit
also. So saying that there is no dalit in Indian media today is
ludicrous.
A good article for the present chairman of PCI. I think we should not compare the American Media and the Indian Media. Though both of them have sufficient autonomy, the subjects they report on and the way of doing it is different. There are a select few newspapers in India that have been consistently reporting on the slew of atrocities that were committed on Dalits. It should not be imagined that Indian media does not recognize the importance of representing all sections of people. Though the state of dalits has not been improving dramatically, it has shown signs of recovery. With India's economy in a good state, there are more opportunites out there to move up the class ladder for dalits. However, media can (if they have not) increase its representation internally among its organisations and accommodate the interests of dalits as well.
The comparison with race is problematic. Race is a hard/physical
reality- unlike caste it doesn't exist only in the mind. The problem
with trying to introduce any kind of "affirmative action" in media is
that we will infuse caste consciousness in one of the few public
institutions in India which has some credibility/excellence. Imagine
journalists becoming hyper-conscious about each others caste and caste
based polarization in media! I think we could avoid that! Of course
you might argue that such caste consciousness already exists in the
media - but I don't think that is true at all. (certainly not in the
English language media, maybe some other places).Important issues are
highlighted and discussed in this article, but the way forward is far
from clear.
Formation of a publication as suggested will only perpetuate the isolation. What's required is the concerted self-assertion from dalits as happened in backward politics. We already have some famous political commentators like chandra bhan in national media discourse and various others reporters and writers who play prominent role in local politics and consensus formation. There's no reason why they cannot with little acquaintance with national media make huge impact in not just in a specific publication but in total media space.
Why are the dalits absent? Are they discriminated while providing jobs?
If that were true then this would be a very big news over the past and
every person in this country would be choking the media. With so many
dalit ministers all over the country it is just not possible. It just
shows a general lack of interest on the part of dalits.
Interesting article...One reason there are few Dalits/tribals among
Indian media groups is that (though a lot more Dalits are in higher
education today than before), few Dalits graduate from top Indian
colleges and universities - the ones who do typically go for
engineering/management. Since Dalits were able to enter higher
education in significant numbers only in the last 10 years, this has
to be given some time. (For example, all major national publications
have prominent Muslim journalists working for them, but few Dalits.
This is because Muslims have had a middle class among them longer than
Dalits). Lets remember that India has hundreds of Dalit writers and
poets in regional literature and books written about the Dalit
experience in India and many aspects of it.
I think after so many years of survey, they should have at least come up
with the reasons why they are not present in the newsrooms. I mean, were
they discriminated and not provided jobs? Seems unlikely because it
simply is not possible. If not that, then how is it inequality if they
themselves are not interested in this job? How has India failed in its
goal of providing equality?
Lately such articles have increased in this paper. True
journalism is making complete investigation rather than writing a
sympathy article. Ambedkar is definitely right when he said “with the
press in hand it [is] easy to manufacture great men.” when such articles
are published public is misled because it is not presented with complete
picture. Please do that first then only there will be a meaning to this
article
There are two vital errors in the article. One is comparing dalits of
India to the colored Americans. Second is the apparent judgment of
denied opportunities for Dalits in media.
The vital element of success - competition,is still the deciding
factor for the success of Afro-Americans, whereas it is removed in
India by ill conceived short sighted design, which is counter
productive to the Dalits.
The quota system, adopted by the government has rewarded some dalits in
government sector job but it is a utter failure in making them
competitive and that is the only reason that very few dalits are seen
in other than government job. Ironically dalits and intellectuals
among them also want this quota instead of making their selves
competitive.
please do not start another " reservation row" about this. No body
is stopping people ( from all strata of the society), to come
forward and be a part of the print and media. if anybody is
rejected on the grounds of his caste issue, let THAT come forward.
Can Hindu tell us how many Dalits has it employed as a whole in the Hindu paper and its related companies and how many Dalits are there as Journalists.
Publishing such articles is one thing and following it is another. Let Hindu show the way first
A Very Good "TOPIC"for Live Media.
Let us wait HOW they are going to handle this.Hope Ms.Matawati
will be a Guest.
The observation, if true, is highly disturbing. But do we need every institution to ensure that their employees' distribution is in proportion to the national population of caste or community?
There is a lot of bias in the high and visible positions of media,
especially the TV. Just observe the class and colour of studio
persons in TV news channels. The bias and prejudices are obvious. The
approach seems to be the same as that of advertisers who want to
appeal to a particular sections.
In the above article ,I think ,author has focused on only one side. It seems that he is asking for TARGET cum RESERVATION for DALITS in media. I am from U.P. and here by the grace of some politicians who don’t have any respect for constitution , dalits have reservation from their birth in hospital ,at school,at college ,even at job.if this much of reservation can’t help them out of their boundary limits then I think instead for asking TARGET cum RESERVATION for dalits in media , author should have focused on the changes needed in the basis of reservation policy and the system responsible for maintaining EQUALITY through RESERVATION.
Not only in media, dalits are continued to be seen as neglected in the present fuedal society, mainly of higher caste and now neo-rich class of politicians.Feudal mindset is yet to give room for downtrodden throughout India! Barring microscopic persons in India, the higher caste and class, having feudal mind set are even now supressing and oppressing dalits in India. One must see writing on the walls! All these ills have resulted in sudden spurt of naxal activities in the country-only they are genuinely supporting the causes of dalits and poor in India and they are called anti-national by government. Under the constitutional provisions, there should be cleansing of society and also change in the prevailing systems
@Pabitra: 100% true. Even i face exactly the same situation. Why
should an IAS's son be given reservation? (Rather they should themselves reject it for
their kids)
most of the media is Private. Had they wanted they could have got
into media. But probably they dont want it. Why should others forcibly
try to get them into. Get a media degree, We welcome you with open
arms.
Dalits are product of Hindu Caste system therefore it will be good if
" THE HINDU " takes lead and develop exclusive DALIT SECTION for
their news, problems, achievements and engage Dalit Students &
teachers for collecting content.
We live in two India's,one whose even a sneeze becomes a national headlines,and the other whose turmoil for daily living and sustenance is not even worth reporting.Medias purposeful bias against the SCs and STs proves of their unegalitarian reporting which they practice,because the cause is not so glamorous,or may be they continue to suffer from the age old caste prejudices.The Fourth pillar of democracy has itself turned into a unegalitarian,bias unresponsive, unrepresentative hub which then perpetrates structural violence.Media has systematically shunted out the voices of the unheard.Its stands gross violation of the principles of Indian Constitution.
When will this clamour for "reservations" as a matter of right cease? This is a cure that probably is no better than the disease. Aren't there any better alternatives to help improve the lot of the dalits and other minorities without encouraging caste and communal feelings.
There is a reason for the scarcity (they are present but not according
to proportion of their population) of dalits in Indian news room. Its
not that Indian media have caste bias, but its about the choice of people. News and media usually comes under the Quaternary activity.
SC/ST of India belongs to poor class and have been suppressed for
long. Scenario is changing now, but when it comes to career choice
they mainly focus on engineering, manufacturing or service because of
their chronic poverty. This scenario is not going to change until we achieve 100% literacy and basic amenities for SC/ST. Reservation is
not going to help the scenario. It will only worsen the situation and
will provide one more political tool in the hand of politicians,
nevertheless the control over media.
Good thought process. However, the devil would continue to lie in the
implementation standards. Consider the simple example of "reservations" in
educational institutions. Why are second generation of learners also claiming
benefits which only the first generation of learners should be availing? Why do we
have different cut-off marks for different sections? If 200 people are getting the
same marks and we have candidates from the reserved category and the general, it
makes sense for providing to the reserved category against the general category.
However, what sense does it make to state that someone from the reserved
category would be eligible for lesser marks itself? Doesn't that lead to dilution of
standards unwittingly or otherwise? How do we ensure these kind of things do not
happen in the media world?
How many Dalits applied? How many were rejected because they were
Dalits? The answer to these questions will help the author.
Talking about equality and fraternity I would like to mention a personal experience.
I have done my engineering from one of the premier institute. I was an average
student who had to fight to get a job. There was a friend of mine who also graduated
from the same college same branch with marks more than me. We also got almost
same job. I met him recently after two years. Both of us shared the same dream. To
either join IIM or a government agency since both of us were bored with software
industry.
The difference was that he had call from three top IIMs and a highly paid
government job. I was feeling inferior for a while until a friend of mine reminded me
that he had reservation.
Where is equality and fraternity that the constitution has guaranteed me?
A point well taken. It is important to hear the 'other' side of the story although it
is not true that only a Dalit can author the travails of his community. P. Sainath's
articles on the problems of the less privileged are very illuminating.I, of course, do
not know his caste status and it is not information I seek. Having said that, it is
important to lend our ear to those at the bottom of the pyramid.Drawing any
comparison between the Americas and us is too far-fetched given the extreme
complexity of the Indian societal structure. Deliberate diluting of standards in the
fourth estate is not only unnecessary but will be counterproductive. Meritocracy
should be the cornerstone of journalism. By saying this, I am in no way casting
aspersions on any class.
Nice Article representing less involvement of Dalits in Media.
But there are many other areas where Dalits are less to be found like
entrepreneurship,The Indian Army at Officers level,Dalal street,etc...
They are in less number in Government jobs as there job quota is never
filled.
With same logic, Minorities should have enough presence in the media.
Imagine we make a law for minorities & Dalit reservation in media. In Maharashtra, Bal Thackeray publishes a Daily called "Saamna" - will he obey & hire Muslim journalists to write his editorials?
Is our media enough liberal, democratic & unbiased - real problem lies here.
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