Endorsing British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s recent remarks on the Press being a ‘wild beast’, former BBC chief of bureau in India, Sir Mark Tully, has said the “Press is a wild animal and has least respect for others.”

Delivering the convocation address at Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media here on Wednesday, Sir Mark said humility was a great virtue that journalists should have when they report on others.

“Live coverages of violence are ghastly. Reporters stand up and talk to camera without understanding what they are talking. Most of the time they get carried away by rumours,” he said.

Referring to the ‘irresponsible live coverage’ of bombing in Varanasi by a TV channel, he said the reporter went on speculating on places where bombs might have been placed.

“If the bombing had resulted in a communal riot, the media should have been held responsible. Fortunately it did not happen. Unhealthy increase in sensationalisation is a feature of today’s media,” he said.

‘Following a donkey’
Taking strong exception to interpreting issues on the basis of mere interaction with the public, he said it is “nothing but following a donkey and getting kicked by it”. Referring to over-commercialisation of media, he spoke of the days when owners of media houses had to take appointment to meet editors. But that is not so these days.

Positive side
Journalists generally feel that their job is to look for negative stories. There are many things around which need appreciation. There are many honest civil servants and worthy politicians. Admitting that he has made many mistakes as a journalist, Sir Mark said a journalist should learn from his mistakes and also learn to live with them.
It is impossible for journalists to be 100 per cent accurate. If anybody makes claims to the contrary, he must be “either unwilling to accept mistake or inefficient to find out his own mistakes.”

Placement
As many as 42 PG diploma students of journalism and new media received degrees on the occasion. Most of them have already received job offers from media houses.

For example, Rapti and Meri, who studied print media, have got job offers from a Hyderabad-based newspaper. Shamik Paul, from Kolkata, is already placed and is working with Reuters in Bangalore.