Date Line The Telegraph - Weekly (Nepal)

D A T E L I N E

With stupidity, subjectivity, inaccuracy, unfairness et al.

Our Ethics

This becomes ethical for us in media to analyze our own performance at a time when whole of the press (the domain in which we all belong to) is under a sheer attack from both the warring sides.

Our Constitution

The constitution which guarantees the freedom of press does not in any of its clauses specifies how a media man should be responsible while carrying out their obligations. This becomes impossible for the constitution to explain the requirements to perform the job of public enlightenment with intelligence, objectivity, accuracy and fairness. This is up to us to understand the seriousness of our job, which is seeking truth, a part of the public right to know the truth.

Nepali Press

Going back to the time when the first issue of Gorkhaparta (I was not born that time and my father as well) was published and today reading The Himalayan Times a lot has physically changed. Glittering newspapers with flashy headlines in the newsstands certainly proves we are heading for more professionalism, which certainly came with hefty financial investments.

The economically/socially devastated and fragmented nation where virtually all profit-oriented fronts are collapsed, media seems not to have been affected. This is a matter of surprise to all how this non-profit oriented profession is amassing wealth?

Some probable answers follow:

Be Irresponsible

Use your professional status as representatives of the public for selfish or other unworthy motives.

Be unethical

Serve interest other than the public’s right to know the truth. Disclose confidential sources of information.

Compromise with your integrity

Accept gifts, favors, free travel, special treatment or privileges. Seek secondary employment, involve in politics, and hold public offices.

Be inaccurate and subjective

Remember! truth is not your ultimate goal. News reports should not be free of opinion, or impartial.

Say no to Fair Play

Do not give accused a chance to reply.

Never write your self

A True journalist must not write in his or her newspaper. Don’t forget to hire ghost editors, who will write for you. Pay them from your undisclosed earning.

These listed above are some the tips I hope most of us in journalism follow very well. Keep it up!

If you have all these qualities you are qualified for Ramon Magasasay award and Reporters Club award.

Send Rumors

If you are not interested in finding facts, send rumors as is popular in Kathmandu.

To the new comers

If you have not yet started following these listed above tips please do follow the self-proclaimed seniors on how to be eligible for getting these prestigeious awards awards. Yestai ra he cha yahan ko chalan!

C’est tout pour cette semaine!