Of Newsrooms

Back in the 1970s-80s up to late 90s, Indian newsrooms for print media started as glorified
havens for ‘righteousness’ and ‘independence’ where some high-minded
retards constantly raised their voice decibels to change the essence
of the truth. They all had their own versions of truth, driven by an
overarching story line, which influenced the opinions of the masses.



Reporters, in those heady times, used to be glib and clever but never
rigid or morally stringent because there would always be another right
side to the story. Essentially newsrooms used to be open and free
spaces where journalists could be spontaneous, playful and at times
‘flirtatious’.



No one would be dragged to court for being a little ‘inappropriate’ or
‘bawdy.’ The best of the editors mercilessly hurled abuses or
unheard-of slangs at the copy editors and no one would mind. The
spontaneity and the chaos would in fact add an interesting layer to
writing or reporting. There was a sense of looking at the world in a
playful, curious and creative way which fostered ‘out-of-the-box’
thinking, innovation. Editors in fact encouraged junior
journalists to be open to all kinds of ideas, to explore, cross
boundaries and never ever take anything at face value.



The newsrooms would be full of interesting people- idealistic,
neurotic, fantasists, truth-sayers, denialists – the only common
thread perhaps being their openness to the world.



Newsrooms would also be full of archaic furniture, cubicles and table
stacked with old magazines, books, files, typewriter or teleprinter. Some
journalists failed to write without the constant clatter of the
typewriter. Typically, their day would start in the afternoon and go
on till mid-night. The daily routine of some of the best of the
editors of our country would consist of reading, going through
newslist, deciding the content of the paper, having a hearty meal,
taking a nap and then writing, taking occasional tea or coffee breaks
which kicked their minds.



It all seems like a dream now because newsrooms have changed to a
great degree. While the journalists no longer have time to sweeten
their tea, the bearable lightness of being is long gone!



ENDS