Over the top

By Chettria Patrakar

The May 3 announcement of the Courage in Journalism award was a resounding joy for resident Southasian cheerleader, CP.

Flickr / Boellstiftung

Whilst readers could be forgiven for wondering if CP was finally recognized for an outstanding contribution to droll polemics, truth be told, squaring up to deadlines is as courageous as yours truly gets.

Rather, the thrill came from being witness to Afghan journalist Najiba Ayubi (along with Nour Kelze of Syria and Bopha Phorn of Cambodia) receiving recognition for her tireless contribution to Afghanistan’s media development.

As Managing Director of the Killid Group (a multiplatform public media service formed in 2002), Ayubi has been a leading voice in fighting government censorship and advancing the cause of a free and viable media within Afghanistan. Conscious of the additional pressure to self-censor, Ayubi has steadfastly refused to dilute her own critical reporting, as well as that of the many young journalists she leads at the Killid Group. Through co-founding the Afghan Independent Media Consortium and the Freedom of Expression Initiative, Ayubi has been instrumental in reaching out to independent Afghan journalists. Importantly, these projects have been guided by the stern but vital maxim ‘Afghan ownership over Afghanistan’s process.’

As a result of these activities, Ayubi has faced significant acts of intimidation, harassment and public ridicule.

Though international awards are easy to deride (yes, the ceremony will be held in the glitzy ballrooms of LA and New York and may well be attended by the Bono/Jolie/Geldof triumvirate), the Courage in Journalism award is a special one. Presented by the International Women’s Media Foundation, for 22 years the award has drawn attention to intrepid female voices within the media, emphasizing their critical importance in a male dominated profession. As such, Najiba Ayubi is indeed, a fitting recipient.

Whilst Ayubi is not the first Southasian to win the award (six others have been privy to the honour), given the long list of spirited female voices in the region, she certainly won’t be the last. This fact, in itself, is reason to celebrate.

By Chettria Patrakar

The common refrain that the law is indeed, an ‘ass’, is perhaps slightly unfair. In a month that’s seen a raft of spurious defamation notices served to Indian journalists, it appears that it takes a human effort (and a ready supply of rupees), to make it bray.

Indeed, as reported by media sentry The Hoot, Indian news magazine The Caravan was served with a notice from Agarwal Law Associates (ALA) on 18 April concerning the pending publication of a ‘defamatory’ story on the Attorney General (AG), Goolam Vahanvati. ALA’s clients, the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group (ADAG), were understandably flustered as a result of the article’s keen recording of Anil Ambani (head of ADAG) and the AG’s somewhat cosy relationship.

The implication of course, was that Ambani’s ties with Vahanvati had a hand in forestalling investigation into the ownership history of Swan Telecom – Ambani’s ‘front’ company at the centre of the notorious 2G scandal. Moreover, the article claims, the connection goes some way to explaining the governments baffling allocation of coal reserves well below market price, to Ambani’s Reliance Power. Despite the prospect of legal action (and to the unbridled glee of yours truly), The Caravan rolled gallantly on, publishing the full 15 page story in their May issue.

Thankfully, courage in the face of multi-crore law suits is not the preserve of the hard hitting journalists at The Caravan. On 23 May, student blogger Aparajita Lath was threatened with defamation proceedings by The Times of India (TOI) in relation to a piece published by Spicyip.com in February.

The article, documenting the protracted trademark dispute between Financial Times Ltd. and the Times of India Group, was based on a previous report published in Mint. Roaring to the 22 year olds defence, Spicyip founder and grizzled law professor Shamnad Basheer has, rather superbly, gone on the offensive, lambasting the ‘puerile’ claims made by TOI’s lawyers, as well as the ‘flatulent’ manner in which they were articulated. Whilst Basheer’s scathing, if (f)artful, criticism is to be applauded, one can’t help but wonder if he was being a tad optimistic in expecting more of a corporate media beholden to its (rock) bottom line.

Whilst legal wonks dissect the nuances of defamation law, your humble correspondent is hopeful that, if nothing else, an important lesson is gleaned from the example set by the intrepid editors at The Caravan and Spicyip. To be sure (and contrary to the well-worn mantra), a sound knowledge of the law coupled with the stubborn courage to stand by one’s convictions, will indeed, make an ass out of anyone.

By Chettria Patrakar

Pre-press censorship: a thing of the past

With the April demise of Bangladesh’s superlative news magazine Forum, the prospect of a long monsoon for media junkies in Southasia appeared likely. Though the grief caused by Forum’s sudden death was heartrending, developments in Burma provide reasons to be cheerful.

Indeed, though the Burmese government announced last August that the Press Scrutiny and Registration Division would be dissolved, the publication of private dailies on April 1 of this year warmed the heart of many a bibliophile and media activist, confirming the validity of their cautious, if sincere, optimism.

Whilst CP too, has been liable to bouts of ‘warm fuzzies’ as a result of Burma’s media renaissance, a nagging, curmudgeonly disposition has been difficult to shake. The most obvious explanation for this is a well placed anxiety concerning the government’s 16 ‘guidelines’ to which private media are urged to abide. Of equal possibility however, is the searing pessimism of old age.

Today though, all was illuminated: Mizzima – a leading voice amongst independent Burmese publications – hit Yangon and Mandalay newsstands in a daily print format, confirming the conviction of yours truly that something was indeed missing from the Burmese media-scape. The addition of Mizzima to Burma’s ‘media masala’ is therefore both vital and welcome.

Since its inception in 1998, Mizzima has played a fundamental role in disseminating Burma related news throughout the region and beyond. Operating out of New Delhi with an internet connection and a fax machine, Mizzima swiftly became an important player amongst media-in-exile with the launch of the Mizzima Monthly Journal in 2003. A daily internet news service in both Burmese and English soon followed, whilst the training of young Burmese journalists became a priority.

Though the Burma based print daily is, as yet, only offered in Burmese, the prospect of an English version is tantalising. Whilst the challenges of operating above-ground are sure to be many, CP has full confidence that Mizzima will navigate the rough waters of transition with grace and aplomb.

Old age notwithstanding, the potential of a drawn out monsoon is looking that much more bearable thanks to the daily print launch of Mizzima – a truly Southasian phenomenon.

By Chettria Patrakar

Flickr / Ilkerender

As the 60th anniversary of the first successful Everest expedition approaches, your humble correspondent finds himself somewhat bemused by recent happenings on the world’s highest peak. In the latest in a series of high profile incidents, British explorer Daniel Hughes had officials in a frenzy when he performed the “world’s first live video call” from the peak, direct to the BBC newsroom. Whilst the novelty of the stunt is a boon to news media the world over (which cedes ground by the day to the rigorous journalistic standards of live Twitter feeds), it was received with po-faced incredulity by bureaucrats in Kathmandu who are notoriously protective of their mountains (of red tape).

Not to be a killjoy, nor stifle groundbreaking innovations or media ‘world firsts’, but the Beeb could have done more to placate (if not respect) local laws regarding media access to Everest. On the other hand, the stunt was for charity, and Mr Hughes conserved valuable oxygen by sidestepping countless hours of bureaucratic shuttlecock in obtaining the relevant permit. It does not appear that the BBC will offer an apology any time soon. Neither is it likely that the Nepali government will take the Beeb to task for the infraction, and risk souring upcoming celebrations. As flaccid pen pushers and intrepid correspondents hope the incident goes the way of the Yeti, there is cause for optimism about a peaceful reconciliation between those concerned.

Of course, the unmentioned quantity in the current media ballyhoo is the position held by the now-feared martial force known as the Sherpa. Indeed, last month’s mountaintop fracas between Sherpa’s and a group of European climbers provides a somewhat intriguing, if ominous, sub-narrative to the unfolding drama. Whilst CP in no way condones violence, the odds of Round Two occurring this mountaineering season are ripening. Never mind the humdrum of election preparations, transitional justice and the ‘hidden hand’ of New Delhi – this is the story of Nepal in 2013.

FARMS, FEASTS, FAMINES

The imperial roots of hunger: Madhusree Mukerjee
Disreputable cuisines: Krishnendu Ray
From jumia to Jumma: Prashanta Tripura
In cash or in kind?: Deepankar Basu and Debarshi Das
Eating on the islands: Xavier Romero-Frias
The fast food frontier: Deepak Adhikari
The pig-nama: Vidyadhar Gadgil
Between loaf and halal: Tharuka Dissanaike
On taste: Anita Roy

FICTION: HUNGER STORIES

Some incidents related to what she saw at the Mona Lisa Apartments: Mridula Koshy
Ricefields: Jyotirmoyee Devi, translator Madhusree Mukerjee

TRAVEL

Driving across the land of pagodas: Pradip Phanjoubam

GRAPHIC FEATURE

Reviving millets: Aheli Moitra

REVIEWS

Castes and moulds: M V Ramana
Filming Kabul: Taran N Khan
Prescience or coincidence?: Elen Turner
The making of the marginalised: Ahilan Kadirgamar

FROM HIMALMAG.COM

How not to write a history of Gorkhaland: Sumana Roy
The life and death of a surrendered militant: Rakesh Shukla
Shining light on the Rohingya: Meghna Guhathakurta