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Minor Research Project MASS MEDIA AND SOCIAL CHANGE: CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE OF THE GANDHIAN APPROACH Principal Investigator: Dr. Teresa Joseph, Department of Political Science Executive Summary The indispensable role of the mass media in social change, particularly in today’s globalised world, is well acknowledged. It is primarily through the media that information is disseminated, images are projected and opinions are shaped. This has obvious implications for all aspects of social life, particularly in the context of policy making. However, as far as the mainstream mass media is concerned, news does not happen, but is constructed, with various considerations exerting pressure on the selection and presentation of themes in the media. Through various methods the media defend the economic, social, and political agenda of privileged groups that dominate the society and state. Money and power can filter out news, marginalise dissent, and permit the government and dominant private interests to publicise their messages. This is particularly evident in situations of social conflict. The language in which conflict is articulated is one of division and exclusion, reinforcing distinctions between ‘self’ and ‘other’. History has shown that the role of the mainstream media – with its selective reporting, demonization of enemies, dehumanisation and decontextualisation of conflict, etc. – has been far from satisfactory, ignoring the larger socioeconomic and political dimensions of the issues concerned. The implications of this for positive social change in any society cannot be undermined. Herein lies the relevance of the study of Gandhian journalism. Gandhi’s engagement with the mass media was the reflection of his understanding of the fact that without mass awakening no substantial change could come over Indian society and that the success of nonviolent strategies for conflict resolution and social change was dependent on enlightened public opinion. He made extensive use of newspapers to mobilise the people and facilitate social change. As a writer, editor and publisher he was able to spread his message of social development, whether it be through the Vegetarian in London, or his own papers - Indian Opinion in South Africa or Young India, Navajivan and Harijan in India. Thus a content analysis of Gandhi’s writings in the mass media as well as his engagement 1 with the media as editor and publisher is of relevance to ascertain the contemporary relevance of the Gandhian approach. An in-depth analysis of Gandhian journalism reveals that it was the product of his approach to life. Gandhi placed truth at the centre of his messages rather than form and looked upon mass media as positive partners in the struggle for truth. Gandhi’s writings were a contextualised response to contemporary social, economic and political issues, without compromising his faith in non-violence. He evolved the concept of non-violent communication, or communication where both parties to a conflict are in a win-win situation, where dialogue is of prime importance and no attempt is made to evaluate or berate the other. Although his writings sought to make people aware of their rights, they did not contain any tone of confrontation or challenge. The objective was never to condemn but to help eradicate shortcomings and injustices. He shunned polemics/sensationalism, verifying facts before publishing a report, thus using journalism as a medium of communication for building bridges between himself and the opponent. He would not allow unfair criticism to be published in his journals, viewing this as constituting violence. Through his journals he expounded his approach to various social and political issues, while advocating nonviolent methods to resolve them. Gandhi’s nonviolent communication theory also advocated openness in expression of opinion. Swaraj according to Gandhi could only come through free speech, association and a free press. Consequently, he was a firm advocate of freedom of the press without ignoring its responsibilities. Gandhian journalism reflected the highest standards of journalism with openness towards the opponent and ability to express ideas in polite but firm language. As an editor, Gandhi considered editorial independence, adherence to truth and self-restraint as the main considerations for journalism. He experimented with an anti-commodity, copyright-free, slow-motion newspaper. As a publisher, Gandhi’s economics was not to earn the most out of each page of his newspapers but to give the maximum possible to his readers. It was his firm conviction that the pressure of advertisement support would tie the hands of editors and publishers, and make them subservient to big business. Gandhi’s views on advertising were in consonance with his views on limiting wants. The contemporary relevance of the Gandhian approach to mass communication and social change can be specifically understood in the context of the emergence of various alternative forms of journalism. Concepts of Peace Journalism, that seeks to promote the use of media for conflict resolution and peace; and Development Journalism, that rejects 2 mainstream approaches to journalism, while favouring the Third World, development and marginalised groups, are alternatives to conventional news coverage and can be seen as rooted in the Gandhian tradition. The Gandhian concept of ‘viewspapers’ also holds lessons for social movements as well as political parties. Through his journals, Gandhi not only propagated his views, but in the process, laid down a standard for journalists to emulate. The restraint, the quest for truth, the duty to educate – were the hallmarks of his style. A lot has changed in the world of media since the time of Gandhi. Unfortunately, many of these changes have only reinforced the ills that he had warned against. Today, when there is widespread concern over the growing influence of market forces on media, and journalism no longer being a social service, Gandhi's views on the values of journalism and the duties of a journalist, bring to bear on the profession of journalism, the force of ethics and morality. Perhaps, now in this globalised age, more than ever before, there is a need to rediscover the precepts of Gandhian journalism, without which there is the danger of contributing to the sustenance of an exclusivist, competitive, and divided world, when the need of the hour is to harness the power of the media for peace-building and social change. 3