I could not help but say something about the comments that the columnist made using the example of our news "Electricity production from Kaligandaki A at a standstill, load shedding could reach 17 hours daily" published in the May 8 edition of Annapurna Post.
It cannot be the case that a mass media expert like him would not know that in any newspaper the deadline for news does not extend beyond midnight of the day. We also filed that news at 11 pm on May 7, 2011. Until that time, electricity production at the country´s largest electricity project had come to a halt. And, this was in itself important news. Respecting the reader´s right to be informed, we published this news, which was an immediate concern of the people. But, let us say it was a happy coincidence that the technicians of Nepal Electricity Authority (NEA) repaired it and electricity production resumed from 1:27 am (morning of May 8). NEA has confirmed this fact through a press release published on May 8.
The next day (May 9), based on a press release issued by the NEA, we published this news with emphasis under the headline "Electricity production from Kaligandaki A resumes after repair, load shedding decreases." We were not astrologers to know that electricity production would resume the next morning after repairs in Kaligandaki A. If it were so, we would have also written that respecting the rights of the consumers to be informed. But, since we are merely media workers who transmit news based on facts, we faithfully fulfilled our duty.
In the column, he has also attempted to teach a lesson to another fortnightly magazine. We do not need to enter on the facts raised by that fortnightly, but the columnist has at least allowed that fortnightly´s editor to give his version. But he has not fulfilled the minimum duties of journalism by not allowing Annapurna Post to give its side of the story even while publishing news based on facts. In addition, he has selectively targeted competitors of Nagarik, a sister publication of Republica. An ordinary writer may do this unknowingly but there is no place to say that a "journalism pundit" like him did this inadvertently. This raises the question of whether he has the moral ground to give sermons to others.
Annapurna Post does not subscribe to the view that no mistake is made in journalism, and it is not possible to do so. But, Annapurna Post does not accept any mistake committed in a deliberate manner. As far as human error is concerned, it happens despite our not wanting it. In this context, Annapurna Post is aware of the fact that mistakes should be minimized and apologies sought for any mistake committed. And, as far as the freedom of a columnist is concerned, we respect this. But we are on the same boat; if we give space to letters that are far from facts in the name of reprimanding others or giving sermons to others, then these letters will become corrosive and ultimately journalism itself will become voiceless.
Simkhada is editor of Annapurna Post
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