Copyright (C) 2003 by the individual authors
Behind The News: Voices From Goa's Press
Copyleft, 2003. May be copied provided entire text is kept intact, and credit is given to all who have contributed to this work. While every attempt has been made to maintain accuracy, we would appreciate inaccuracies being pointed out. Feedback may be sent to goajourno@indialists.org
This book was collaboratively written between August 2003 and October 2003, through Goajourno, a cyber network of journalists and former journalists who have worked in Goa.
Copyleft 2003. Writers of the respective individual chapters retain their right to be identified as the authors of their work.
This is work-in-progress. and currently is in draft stage. Version 0.10 (draft release).
First e-version: October 10, 2003 (draft)
This e-book was created using Lyx, a free software product that was created by volunteers and which is freely sharable. We say a thank you to those whose work on this and other Free Software makes our work feasible and more practicable today.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Sixties' stories: Free Goa's first elections Chapter 2 Goan journalism: Views from near and far Chapter 3 West Coast Times : A dream ruined Chapter 4 Novem Goem: The Roof Caves In Chapter 5 The Herald of A New Ethos Chapter 6 oHERALDo: an untold chapter Chapter 7 The banyan tree: working under Rajan Chapter 8 Rural Goa, unheard, unsung… Chapter 9 A year apart… journalism and leaving home Chapter 10 Growing up with the Herald… Chapter 11 In black & white… newsdesk nuggets Chapter 12 The proof of it all… Chapter 13 Birth pangs at Sant Inez Chapter 14 An era of free sheeters Chapter 15 Journalism in Goa: An outsider looks in Chapter 16 An accidental Bhailo Chapter 17 Why Konkani failed its readers… Chapter 18 Romi Konkani, hanging on a cliff Chapter 19 Comrades in crime: Police reporting Chapter 20 Of sports… and sports journalism Chapter 21 From journalist… to publisher
Introduction
If you believe in miracles, here is a small one. An e-book, written collaboratively by over a dozen-and-half journalists, many with amazing stories to tell. Their willingness to do so, says something.
For one, it indicates a generosity to convert memories into history, which would otherwise have been consigned to the dustbin of amnesia. This is particularly true, as the media seldom writes critically about themselves in Goa. More importantly, it also suggests that there are many in Goa who have a story, and are willing to narrate it. If only they're given a chance. As mediapersons, we need to ask ourselves why these stories are not allowed (or encouraged) to surface in the first place. It's impossible to believe that there is such a drought of ideas and issues in Goa, and the general lack of debate in the media would make it seem.
October 10, 2003 marks the 20th anniversary of the Herald's English-language edition. Many of us journalists who contributed here are no longer, or perhaps never were, associated with that daily newspaper. But, the launch of this product undeniably opened up avenues for a generation of journalists in the state. In addition, it rewrote the rules of journalism for all of us here, for better or worse. Hence the choice of this date for the first release of this book.
What is being said along these e-pages refers to critical times in the history of post-1961 Goa. Needless to say, views voiced here stem from personal experiences, oftentimes are subjective, and likely to generate even more debate. But personal viewpoints are also important, in that these help to complete our understanding of particular events, episodes, and individuals. It is no coincidence perhaps that this series of essays is critical of some held up as icons of Goa's journalism over the past four decades. You might feel the criticism is unfair; but other versions do need to be heard.
This is, of course, not the last word on the subject. Nor does it claim to be a comprehensive account — what got included depended on who was willing to write their 'story' when the call for chapters went out.
This unusual work is humbly devoted to those who are not, or cannot, be with us, as we go down the corridors of time and look at the past decades. Journalists whom Goa has produced, but perhaps were never adequately recognised over the years. Like the innovative Ivan Fera, who died young along with the promise of immense talent and many bylines in journals like The Illustrated Weekly. Or, Norman Dantas, who's early death was at least in part triggered off by despair brought on by the unfair deal he got from journalism in Goa. We need to also remember the many who are not here with us, pushed out — both by limited opportunities, as also politics in the press — to migrate far and wide and earn a living on distant shores. To all of them, and the unsung heroes of journalism of the post-Liberation era, this e-book is devoted.