Journalists and their duty

Oft the burning question in my mind .....journalism and humanitarian feelings do not go together?..well i remember, once someone asked if you see someone dying in front of you, would you look for the news opportunity in that or would you try to save that person? Recently, that question started bugging me again as i saw a Malayalam movie, the question the protagonist asks his boss, when denied leave is are you not a human being? The prompt answer that comes is no i am a journalist, first and foremost.

The film portrays the protagonists dilemma when asked to cover the news regarding his mentor, who lies in his deathbed. The news, he greets with great shock! The man who he admired the most as a child, a famous writer is very ill, and all the papers are vying to see who would get the exclusive on his death. Throughout the movie we see the personal feelings and profession of the hero, putting him in great dilemma. Also, we find a dig at journalists and humanitarian feelings following like a thread throught the movie.. it ends with the protagonists acceptance of his profession, we find him turning out to be a hard core journalist, with no sentiments, left in him.

One aspect they highlight on, is the change in the news content in our papers or TV channels.

There was dialogue which goes something like," news was a service with business content, today it is business with service content , tomorrow it will be pure business with profit content. How true is it in today's scenario. How often do news channels or papers cover the unvarnished truth?Can we truly believe that all we hear, is not totally biased? With the papers competing to establish themselves, how much of the truth do we actually get to hear? questions oft lying in all common man's mind?

Having a journalism degree, i was very confident that i could end up as a high-profile journalist. Serving the people, or writing to create a difference in the world, was and is still my passion. However, when it came to getting a job, i ended up as a content writer. When i look back, regret that lies, did i choose the wrong medium to communicate? Then, simultaneous question that arises, how good a journalist would i really be? Would i really be hard and tough enough to really cover the story, without letting my sentiments get in between my profession?.....hmm...sighhhhh! Still i ponder...

That fire and angst in me to question the injustice still remains.. However, the question is how often do we really voice our opinions or thoughts? How often.........? To date, it remains a question !