INDIA: The latest episode of Transcontinental Times’ 360° Live Talk Show featured Tulsidas Bhoite, an ex-ABP Majha journalist, and currently the founder of Muktpeeth. Further amusingly, he has operated in the media profession for nearly three decades as a journalist and editor. For many young journalists he worked in India during his career, he elucidated the concept of journalism. His journalism can be perceived as an in-depth repository of facts gleaned from his experiences with ABP Majha, TV9, Zee24Taas, and Mi Marathi over the years.
Tulsidas’s childhood evokes a curiosity that birthed his career in journalism
Tulsidas’ upbringing might be described as a tale of adversity with a melancholy twist, as his father passed while they were working in Bollywood. This put all of their struggles on his mother’s shoulders, driving her to work in a factory. All of the scourged facets of his existence played a significant role in shaping his thought-provoking atmosphere. His formative experiences instilled in him the habit of reading, which eventually led to writing.
Tulsidas recounts his childhood memories, including the pivotal moment in his life while he asserts, “I want to convey my opinions, but there were no alternative media outlets like electronic or digital back then.” In India, there was just print media, so I joined a Hindi newspaper. Although Marathi is my native tongue, I began my media career in Hindi because there were no such journalists in Mumbai at the time.”
He describes his vivid and distinct vision, something that he had, since deciding to pursue a career in journalism. He thinks that he must give the truth to all people, and he has dedicated his life to fighting injustice and spreading positivity to all people.
The pandemic affected the evolution of journalism in a larger way
Setting all other considerations aside, Tulsidas brings prominence to the pandemic’s impact on journalism. Where he expands on the broader impact of COVID-19 on journalism, arguing that the lockdown period provided an opportunity for some media outlets to snare the spotlight.
“Thousands of Indian journalists lost their employment as a result of the pandemic. I believe that print media has always been in problem, and that print media is still in crisis now. I’d want to state unequivocally that many corporate houses built their empires because they are in business, not profession,” he added.
“Commoners are criticizing journalists for performing journalism solely for the sake of financial gain; they are only doing journalism for someone in the political or business world; they are not truthful or truth-tellers; they are simply delivering fake news,” he stated.
Tulsidas chose to strategize something as a symbol whom people can trust after observing such a large divide between society and journalists. Despite people teasing him for different opportunities, his mission was efficient and easily understandable.
“I decided to build a platform of independent journalism without the help of any governmental or financial-economic force, certainly it is a dangerous decision no doubt,” Tulsidas admits, revealing his ethos to the public. I can keep my journalism free from the influence of any outside factors.”
The importance of criticism in journalism
Criticism is an essential feature of democracy, but when some elements strive to stifle the media’s freedom, the democratic pillar is shattered. Similarly, Tulsidas draws attention to the same issue when he claims that philosophers, activists, and even their innocent family members are being targeted by the ruling party or any other party on social media. All of these concerns are described by him as “crazy phenomena,” and he associates them with a chance for rulers to settle their scores. He announces that it is his responsibility as a journalist to preserve the rights of those who criticize him.
“Also, there are some social groups from right-wing and intermediate forces that are doing very well in India for the improvement of our society in their own way, and we need to appreciate them as a whole, regardless of whether I am pro-Modi or anti-Modi. Even if Mr. Modi is the Prime Minister, it is my job to criticize him,” he acknowledges openly.
Tulsidas goes into greater detail about highlighting the positive elements of the news, emphasizing the necessity of the more benefits associated with journalism. He also praises Transcontinental Times CEO and founder Roshan Bhondekar, saying, “I think, as a journalist, a media, it is our duty to bring something good happening in our society it doesn’t mean those good things are done by only the government no, there are so many people like Mr. Roshan you are in Spain but you are trying to do something for our society for our world so for our humanity so I think this is also good work.”
Watch the whole interview here:
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