I N T ER V I E W

Mainstream Indian Press is Controlled by Big Houses
By Jagpal S Tiwana

Gobind Thukral, a senior journalist from India, was in our town, Halifax, Canada, on a private visit. I knew Thukral through his writings in India Today on the 1984 developments and then later in Hindustan Times, and The Tribune. He had spent over three decades in journalism and had been recipient of several wards; The Statesman award for Rural Reporting and Panj Pani  life time achievement award from the Door Darshan, India’s major public broadcaster/ telecaster. He has been a Fellow at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, Shimla for three years after he retired as chief of bureau of The Tribune in 2001.  He readily agreed to talk to me at my place on March 13, 2007 when I approached him for an interview.

JST (Jagpal S Tiwana): May we know something about your career. What inspired you to be a journalist?

GT (Gobind Thukral): After my post graduation in English I started teaching in a college. It was my interest in public affairs and love for writing that took me to journalism, a more active profession that way. Gobind Thukral

JST: I have learned that you were appointed a member of the Haryana Public Service Commission by Mr. Bansi Lal, but you resigned after a year. Why did you leave that prestigious position?

GT: Nothing in particular except that the job proved to be  dull for an active journalist. There was no pressure, political or otherwise as some may think. The chief minister was friendly and appreciated Commission’s working in the state assembly also. So I returned to journalism.

JST: You have launched 'South Asia Post' http://www.southasiapost.org, a fortnightly journal on internet. What made you to do that?

GT: After spending years in the field of journalism, somewhere in the inner recesses of the mind, a thought lingered and always troubled most of us who are involved in launching this web opinion newspaper. It was about something left unstated or not fully stated. It is not to cast any aspersions, but to state a position.

The commercial media of the day by its very nature is more involved in profiteering and self propagation. It is more into power play and less into the field of ideas.  We do not agree that there is an end of news like those who pronounced end of history. There are good newspapers both in print and on the net as there are quality radio and television networks. There are meaningful and significant media institutions, playing their kind of role. We salute them. Yet   there is more anarchy loosened on the world by many of the media institutions, particularly owned by the multinational giants. Hence these small efforts with the help of friends like you.

We strongly believe that a better informed public is the only guarantee for the success of any form of democracy and here journalism committed to dissemination of news and opinions as objectively it can, plays significant role.

JST: In India there is corruption in all departments of the Government. Media is full of crime stories. What do you think about the future of democracy in the country?

GT: I am not pessimistic as long as people do not give up their rights. Sometime on even a slight provocation, people  take to streets; launch agitations and hold dharnas. Fearless but non violent protest is of essence and helps the growth of democracy. They can be persuaded to start a progressive movement under the right leadership.

JST: Almost all institutions in India are malfunctioning. Press is perhaps the only institution which is safe and working independently.

GT: Newspapers are no longer a cottage industry with a printing machine, and a few compositors in the backyard. This means, heavy investment. Any newspaper, radio or television management that has invested huge sums would like handsome returns. For this it must have readers, listeners or viewers. These are needed to attract advertisements and bring in revenues. In a way, newspapers sell readers to advertisers. More importantly, the newspapers and other wings  of the media institutions, have to have cozy relationship with the State.  There is also visible tendency towards monopoly controls.  Big English papers like Times of India, Hindustan Times, Indian Express are examples of this and the Hindu is an exception and independent. Many are partisans, promoting party and business interests. Even the English press with the exception of The Hindu is controlled by big houses. The Hindu has only a name ‘Hindu', but it is quite secular and independent in its coverage.  And among magazines, Outlook and Frontline are now ahead of the once very popular India Today in matter of impact. Both are available on internet. Frontline is brought out by the publishers of The Hindu.

JST: Who are the journalists you like and read? What do you think of Khushwant Singh?

GT :Khushwant Singh writes  well. Secret of his success is he does not hide his weaknesses and he is fiercely independent. He does not even spare his friends and admirers. At one time in his career he showed some weakness for Sanjay Gandhi, but then who is perfect. There is  legendry Sham Lal who passed away last month at the ripe age of 93.. He encompassed large areas like politics, literature and art. A real philosophical editor who ranked one of the best in the world. Collection of his articles now available in book form is testimony of that. There are many like H.K.Dua [The Tribune] Chaitanya Kalbag of The Hindustan Times and many others like N. Ram of The Hindu.

JST: How do you keep yourself up-to-date?

GT: Every morning I spend time in reading several newspapers. This is how it begins for most journalists, a cup of tea and a bunch of newspapers. Then do research and field work; meeting people, politicians, covering meetings and press conferences.

JST: How do you assess Manmohan Singh’s performance as Prime Minister?

GT: Personally he is an honest man. But then his policies are leading to unemployment, rising prices and more sharp divisions among the rich and the poor. Agrarian crisis is haunting the country and he is not able to do anything about it. His model of development may lead to better service sector or IT sector, but other areas are neglected.

JST: There is a change of government in Punjab. Parkash Singh Badal made some good promises in the elections and is now taking wise decisions. What do you think of that?

GT: I have covered his promises in my article ‘Punjab: Count Your Blessings. South Asia Post. http://www.southasiapost.org/2007/20070315/index.htm Let us see how many of those promises he fulfils. Out of seventeen positions in his cabinet, five are occupied by his relatives.

JST: He appointed Ajmer Singh Lakhowal, President of the Bhartiya Kisan Union, president of the Punjab Mandi Board. I think this position went to the deserving man.

GT: Badal has made some good appointments, no doubt about that. His chief secretary, Ramesh Inder Singh is a capable civil servant. The new DGP, NPS Aulakh, is a reputed police officer. Then Darbara Singh Guru, his principal secretary, is an efficient and honest man. And his media advisor, Harcharan Singh Bains, is a smart man and knows his job well. However, I have some reservation about Ajmer Singh Lakhowal. There are many factions among the farmers. If he promotes his men ignoring others, that will create difficulties and he is capable of doing so.

JST:  BJP got important portfolios in the ministry. The BJP MLAs are more educated than the Akalis and hence more smart. With 19 MLAs in the assembly, Badal will be controlled by them. What do you think?

GT: Badal is a cold and shrewd politician and could use a strong BJP to balance his detractors or ambitious men in his Akali Dal.

 JST: This election was fought on economic issues. There is no Hindu-Sikh tension in Punjab now. Do you think it is a genuine development or political gimmick to win elections?

GT: People in Punjab are generally peaceful and wish for speedy economic development in a just manner. They are not communal and get drawn to it by greedy and scheming politicians.

JST: Badal has full control over his party. He does not let any one grow in the party who could be a challenge to him.

GT: He is grooming his son to succeed him that is no secret. Sukhbir has been appointed acting president of SAD.  He only waits to be anointed as chief minister.

JST: SAD is now Sukhbir Akali Dal; it suits more to its name. He could be even acting Chief Minister any day now.

GT: Most politicians are promoting their sons and daughters. Nehru did as some others at the national level. In Punjab whether it is Badal or Barnala or Talwandi, they are setting standards for family rule. Punjab is still in a feudal stage. A Zialdar's son has to be a Zialdar. There are political families like business families. Politics is a big lucrative business for many.

JST: Mostly you write against ministers and politicians and expose their misdeeds, don't they try to harm you.

GT:  Luckily no harm has come so far, though protests were a plenty. Once I wrote ‘Akalis asserting old ideological position' in the Tribune of June 14, 2000 http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000614/edit.htm#7 In it I stated that Badal in 1977 called a meeting of like minded Chief Ministers of India at Chandigarh, but quickly cancelled it when the then Prime Minister  Moraji  Desai snubbed him. Later Akalis voted for a President's rule in Bihar when in principle they have been against imposition of President's rule in any state. Badal was Chief Minister in 2000. He read it, phoned to protest. He was visible upset but that is all.

JST: Thank you Gobind Ji for your time and the interview. Wish you a safe journey back.

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