FFT BIHAR REPORT

BACKGROUND
History of journalism in Bihar can be written in golden letters, as the language media in the state played a stellar role. Known more for their courageous writings, journalists of the state played a leading role during the freedom struggle of India. It would not be out of place to mention the contribution of Bihar after independence in terms of its courageous and responsible journalism.

Bihar has been serving as leading light for years for the whole country. Despite the lowest per capita income and illiteracy in citizens, Bihar has been recording largest sale of Hindi newspapers and magazines for the last sixty years. Media organisations get most important feedbacks from Bihar. The reason behind this is the high journalistic quality and its readers having elegant taste and temperament about the value system traditionally prevalent in journalism of the state. Journalists working in the State contributed a lot to reach up to this standard.

The people of the state are also known for their penchant for knowledge. The tradition is still in existence and can be seen everywhere in the State. This tradition gave rise to many social and political movements like freedom movement prior to our independence and several others after that. A host of committed journalists came out from socialist, communist, naxal of JP movements and played important roles as journalists not only in the state but also in several parts of the country. They served as foundation for exemplary journalism in the country. They never indulged in give-and-take type of journalism rather courageously reported the issues that were vital for the society and the country. There is no incident that can be counted as an example of ‘the journalist being purchased by an award of any other material offers like land or housing’. On the other hand, when in the 1980s, the Jagannath Mishra government tried to gag the press, or during the emergency imposed during Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, the journalists in Bihar fought tooth and nail to preserve the freedom of the press. It goes without saying that journalists from Bihar are serving as pillars of several media institutions of the country, because of their clear understanding, the manner of writing, integrity, commitment, loyalty and perseverance.

PREVAILING SCENARIO

However, a dangerous trend being witnessed in Bihar is that the right to write the truth has been lost in the State. This is not only a violation of the rights that are guaranteed under the Constitution of India, but also poses a threat to free and fare journalism, resulting in an unsavoury situation in the state. Due to government pressure over the media, the news relating to even small agitations are being blacked out in the state like Bihar, which otherwise is known for raising matters of public concern. News relating to agitations, public concern do not find place in the newspapers, for they dare to raise uncomfortable questions for the government because they point fingers on the weaknesses and faults of the governance.