Creativity, journalism and me

By Vijay Joshi

I have been telling time and again in my blogs that I am student of journalism. I have been academically studying this subject since last four years. And there is one more year to go for me to have a Master degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. [Telling this has become a cliché now.] I did not come to this course by chance; rather it was merely by choice. No one forced me to take up journalism when there were hundreds of technical courses having the potential to fetch me five digit salaries every month!

If you were to ask me a question as to what have I done, something remarkable, in the field of journalism, then, my polite reply would be; “Well, sir, I have done nothing significant or worth telling in the field of journalism. But, sir, I’m very much eager to have a mark of my own in this profession or mission.”

I am not a scholar on any subject. And, hence, my writings do not have any significance if you look it from the literary perspective. Adding, my writings are not creative, some of my friends say. Nonetheless, writing is something in my life that can keep me happy till eternity.

The other day I was speaking to one of my friend over telephone. He said, “Joshi, your writings are not creative. Rather you try to give information what you have. You don’t have a wider outlook on most of the topics”, he continued, “and a writer should never become an information giver. He must be a creative person.”

I did not go to the extent of asking any question to that friend. But I sat for a while, alone, and commenced a kind of introspection. I asked myself as to whether what my friend has told was right or wrong. I was not stubborn that day, for reasons God alone might know! But usually I am a stubborn guy, let me admit it!

When I started analyzing my own writings, one thing was crystal-clear; my writings are not scholarly pieces. And I admitted it soon. I was prompt in calling my friend back and telling him that I am not a scholar. Well and another point what my friend had told me was also true. My language is not as flowery and as powerful as some of you might expect it to be. It is a dull one and can be matched to the standards of a graduate student. Not with a student of journalism and mass communication who is all set to receive his masters certificate.

But writing scholarly articles is not my cup of a tea. I would like to tell whatever I have to in the simplest possible way. Today, in the world of internet and TV, major chunk of the society is not interested in reading any scholarly article on whatsoever topic. They are not ready to take up the dictionary whenever they come across a jargon. Instead, the youth of the present era are very much keen on promoting those who can tell anything in a simple and sober way. Owing to the same reason we can notice a spurt in the circulation of English dailies that follows simple but crispy English and a fall in circulation of English dailies that have been following hardcore English since several decades.          

On the net too, most of the netizens are not peeping into web pages that follow jargonized English, rather they are very much interested in reading a simple write-up. It may be sad to tell that hardcore English is being sidelined by readers and simple English alone is coming to the forefront. But admitting the fact is safer than going against this trend, I must say.

Well, this was all about having a strong hold over the language. Let me say something about creativity and giving information.

I am a no philosopher and nor a strategist. However, I have a clear idea on what a writer or potential writer has to do.

Look at what the great journalists of early days have contributed. They were not trained journalists. Nonetheless, their professionalism was unmatchable; thanks to the fervour and zeal they had towards their work. They treated journalism not just as another profession. It was all a mission for those legendary journalists. [Readers may please recall the works of Rudyard Kipling, Mahatma Gandhi, Pothan Joseph etc.]

I don’t find too much of difference between a writer and a journalist. Both have an inborn urge to tell something to the society. If they don’t have an urge, they must develop it. It may be good or may be an ordinary matter. But the inborn urge that they have makes them to sit and write for weeks to convey the message to the society. Writer uses books as his tool and a journalist uses newspaper as his tool.

It is to be remembered here that the fundamental goal of journalism and literature is one and the same – seeking the ultimate TRUTH. Whatever the writer and journalist write, with a clear and sincere heart is what he thinks truth is. If, for example, you are a writer and you are of the firm belief that violence in any form and for any reason has to be condemned, you will certainly write something against violent activities that are being fuelled by vote seeking politicians. You cannot write anything in support of a violent act, no matter who planned and executed the act. That is what Mahatma Gandhi did when the Chauri Chaura violence broke out in 1922 where around 21 police constables were burnt alive by an angry mob. Though Mahatma Gandhi was against the British rule in India, he was equally against violence in any form.

Philosophically speaking, duty of any journalist or a writer is to provide information on various topics, educate the mass, safeguard their rights and to act as a catalyst for the development of the society.  When you accept this philosophy and decide to do as told by the philosophy you find no difference between a writer and a journalist.

Few months ago, when I was chatting with one of my friend, who is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Journalism and English literature, she put forward me a new viewpoint. According to her, as she is a student of both literature and journalism, there are possibilities of journalism and literature being contradictory to each other on certain topics. Adding, she said, “Spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings is literature” she continued “but I don’t find such powerful feelings in present day journalism”. Hence, she was thinking of diverting herself totally towards English literature.

As far as I know, I don’t see anything contradictory in journalism and literature. Philosophically speaking both speak about the eternal truth. Both of them expect truth to prevail all over the world. But there are, of course, certain disagreements on what truth really is among the journalists and writers. Some speak about Communism, some about Socialism and some others about Nationalism. But all the ‘isms’ are aimed at creating a better society where everyone can lead his life with content. No ‘isms’ speak of creating a hell on this earth!

According to me, work of a journalist or a writer is to strive hard to establish an equitable society. The writer may opt for any ideology to gain a solid foundation for his writings. Some may even go to the extent of giving birth for a totally new ideology.

One can notice thousands of ‘creative’ writings on the net and on the pages of newspapers and magazines, but with no or slight intention to give impetus to the cause of creating a better society. I value writings that address the evils of this society more than those write-ups which turn a blind eye towards the social problems in the disguise of being creative. Development reportage is more important in my life than a report on a celebrity’s speech or on a fashion week. An article that gives force to the ongoing developmental works in the society is more important for me than an article on the importance of maintaining sexy or slim body.      

When we decide to work for a better society, being creative goes to the backburner and addressing social problems gains prominence over other issues. Nonetheless, I don’t deny that a person can work for a better society as well as he can be a creative writer. But, I am of the firm belief that in the disguise of being creative one should not run away from writing about social evils. And, yes, the writer/journalist has to be brave enough to write whatever he feels in a direct way and must be ready to face the music.

Let me strive towards conveying my ideas to the world, which gives a purpose for me to live, amidst all odds.

joshi_viju@rediffmail.com | Author is a student of Journalism

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