Jeffrey Dvorkin, the former executive director of the Organization of News Ombudsmen, has written a valuable user’s guide, The Modern News Ombudsman . He has cited instances where an ombudsman is simultaneously described by one section as a “management lackey” and by another as a “newspaper scold.” His answer to this vexatious reality is to build one’s reputation over time. He says an ombudsman should recognise the extraordinary work by staff, especially when it draws comments from readers. He writes: “when the staff makes changes suggested by readers or with the readers in mind, you should applaud them. Let the staff know that you can be an effective advocate for dispelling myths and misinformation about the paper. Your independence carries weight.”
The way this newspaper covered one of the defining news moments of recent times — the conviction of All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary Jayalalithaa — deserves to be looked at very closely. It recognised the importance of the verdict. It realised that there are both legal and political implications. It kept in mind that narrow political machinations may turn into polarising venom that hurts the relationship between two neighbouring States. The team of reporters, photographers, info-graphic designers and editors worked overtime to provide each piece of the jigsaw puzzle to create a comprehensive picture of what happened and how things would unfold.
Journalistic truth I would like to point out that The Hindu team kept in mind what Bill Kovach and Tom Rosenstiel call the “journalistic truth,” which goes beyond mere accuracy. Kovach and Rosenstiel laid emphasis on “the sorting-out process that takes place between the initial story and the interaction among the public, newsmakers, and journalists.” This first principle of journalism, according to these influential journalism theorists, is ultimately what sets journalism apart from all other forms of communication. They keep reminding everyone that journalism exists in a social context. The entire oeuvre of The Hindu ’s coverage of the conviction of a sitting Chief Minister that led to her simultaneous incarceration and removal from the seat of power reflected the historical importance of the event.
Though the paper has consistently reported on >various cases against Ms. Jayalalithaa , the coverage between September 26, 2014 to October 2, 2014 forms a total news tapestry that managed to weave the multiple strands of this development to give an informed picture to readers. Starting with a report that talked about the sense of unease in the ruling party about the judgment, “ >Uneasy calm in AIADMK ,” September 26, to the lead article, “ >Dangers of imperious impatience ,” October 2, that reminded celebrities and their lawyers of the need to guard against excesses, readers were provided with a comprehensive compendium of information. There were 62 reports of varying sizes with each one focussing on one element. This helped in making this complex story fully accessible.
Digital presence leveraged This was also a moment when the paper leveraged its digital presence fully. On the day of the verdict, the Internet platform of the paper started providing vital information from 8:30 a.m. on a real time basis. Readers may access >http://bit.ly/1yE6Q1Y to read the train of information flow. It not only tracked the developments inside the special designated court but also the reactions from other parts of the country. The reporters managed to provide details of the protest and violence too.
One of the crucial elements that lifts journalism into a narrative that offers insights into the socio-political reality is its ability to provide the context. The series of reports, news analyses, lead articles, comment articles and the Editorial meticulously sutured the facts together to understand the implication of this judgment, especially in the context of Supreme Court’s ruling in the Lily Thomas case. In that case, the apex court struck down as unconstitutional Section 8 (4) of the Representation of the People Act that allows convicted lawmakers a three-month period for filing appeal to the higher court and to get a stay of the conviction and sentence. The article, “ >Jayalalithaa cannot contest polls for 10 years ,” September 27, also recalled another apex court verdict, K.C. Sareen vs CBI , in which it was made clear that “when conviction is on a corruption charge against a public servant, the appellate court or the revisional court should not suspend the order of conviction during the pendency of the appeal even if the sentence of imprisonment is suspended.”
On the political side, the paper first gave an idea of potential candidates by talking to the seniors within the AIADMK. Then, when Mr. O. Panneerselvam was selected by the leadership, the newspaper gave a detailed backgrounder. It looked at how Ms. Jayalalithaa was unseated at her peak. The comment article, “ >Legally weak, politically strong ,” October 2, brought out the full import of the irony that has unfolded.
The newspaper broke its tradition of not carrying an Editorial on Sunday by publishing one on the front page acknowledging the importance of this judgment. Titled, “The long road to justice,” it succinctly captured the methods used by the defendants to delay the process, the political and the legal implications. It had the foresight to alert the State apparatus that “Tamil Nadu should not be allowed to descend into a spiral of violence and destruction.”
In ways more than one, the entire package of news relating to Ms. Jayalalithaa’s verdict validates what Kovach and Rosenstiel expect good journalism to be: “making the significant interesting and relevant.”
readerseditor@thehindu.co.in
