Ashok Kumar Sah’s Post

EDITOR’S THOUGHTS ABOUT JOURNALISM Chapter 1. The journey and the craft of Journalism In 2004, I began my first role in television as a culture news presenter during the weekends. It was my second job, but one that I loved - and still love - with all my heart. Being on screen and delivering the news has always been my passion, an endeavour that has never tired me. Even when shooting a single television segment stretched over 36 hours without rest, I felt nothing but energy and commitment to the craft. Since those early days, I have produced 14 documentaries and several short films. My years in television have evolved, and I now work as a producer of short-form television films. In this role, I am deeply involved in every stage of production - starting with the idea, casting actor-journalists, writing scripts, scouting locations, overseeing editing, and seeing the project through to its completion. I take great pride in my ability to handle each step of the production process independently. Yet, I am equally grateful to be surrounded by a talented and professional team whose expertise enriches our collective work. Together, we create stories that reflect reality, engage viewers, and convey meaningful narratives. So, what is journalism? First and foremost, it is the art of listening, truly hearing, and keenly observing the world around us. Journalists are witnesses to history, custodians of truth, and interpreters of life’s complexity. It requires empathy to connect with people’s experiences, integrity to present the truth, and courage to ask difficult questions. Journalism is not just about reporting facts; it is about storytelling. It is about finding the human angle in every event and shaping those stories so they resonate with audiences. A journalist must act as a bridge between the unseen and the seen, giving voice to those who are unheard and bringing clarity to the chaotic noise of our modern world. Throughout my career, I have learned that patience, discipline, and curiosity are essential traits for anyone pursuing this path. Journalism is not a profession; it is a way of life. It demands constant learning, adaptability, and a relentless search for the truth. Today, as I reflect on my journey, I realise that my love for journalism lies in its ability to inspire change and illuminate lives. It is both a privilege and a responsibility to stand before a camera, hold a microphone, or craft a script that informs, educates, and uplifts.

Journalism job alert and some personal news. Want to lead an excellent team doing impactful enterprise reporting in Washington state? Check out this job opening at Cascade PBS (formerly Crosscut). Isn’t that my job? Yes, it is. I’ve lead the news team at Crosscut for the past five years. I’ve enjoyed a great run and have decided to retire at the end of the year. I’m looking forward to watching the future of this great nonprofit newsroom from the sidelines. Our coverage focuses on government and politics so do not apply if you’ve been hiding in a cave this past year, hoping the election would go away. Do apply if you have a passion for giving the people the information they need to smartly engage in our democracy. A big part of this job: mentoring our journalists to do their best work. My team and our network of freelancers are among the best I’ve ever worked with. We’re going to be picky when hiring their next team leader. Editors who rewrite every story: apply somewhere else. The great journalism at Cascade PBS is the result of thoughtful collaboration, not editors who control the narrative. Ask me anything, including if I have time for some contract editing work. I’m not going to retire to the pickleball courts, but I am going to slow way down and be very picky about any work I take on. https://lnkd.in/g_bFje4z

Rebroadcast Episode: Breaking the Mask of Depression Mindful Journalism with Sandra Hannah-Bohm Hey everyone, I decided to revisit this episode because the world is in turmoil,news has turned into reality shows, and we're constantly taking all of this in. I had the pleasure of speaking with Sandra Hannah-Bohm, a journalist and founder of Twice As Good Media. This episode is packed with insightful discussions on mindful journalism, the impact of news consumption on mental health, and the importance of representation in media. Here are three key takeaways from our conversation: 1. The Importance of Mindful Journalism Sandra introduced us to the concept of mindful journalism, a framework designed to make journalism more constructive and less destructive. This approach emphasizes the need for media to be healing and constructive rather than poisoning and destructive. Sandra highlighted that mindful journalism is not just about reporting facts but doing so with compassion, equanimity, and a focus on the well-being of the audience. This is especially crucial in today's fast-paced news environment where sensationalism often takes precedence over responsible reporting. 2. The Impact of News Consumption on Mental Health One of the most eye-opening parts of our discussion was the impact of news consumption on mental health. Sandra shared studies showing that excessive consumption of news, especially during collective traumas like 9/11 or the Boston Marathon explosions, can lead to worse health outcomes, including increased stress and heart disease. This underscores the importance of being mindful about how much news we consume and the sources we rely on. Sandra's advice to limit news intake and be aware of emotional reactions to news stories is something we can all benefit from. 3. Representation and the Role of Black Media Sandra's journey in creating Twice As Good Media was driven by the lack of representation in Canadian media. She pointed out that while the U.S. has hundreds of Black news outlets, Canada has very few. Her mission is to create a platform that not only represents Black voices but also practices mindful journalism. This dual focus aims to provide a more accurate and compassionate portrayal of Black communities, which is often missing in mainstream media. Sandra's work is a reminder of the power of media to shape perceptions and the importance of diverse voices in journalism. I highly encourage you to listen to this episode to gain a deeper understanding of these important topics. Sandra's insights are invaluable for anyone interested in the intersection of media, mental health, and representation. You can find the episode on our website and all major podcast platforms. https://linktr.ee/divawdep Don't forget to follow Sandra and Twice As Good Media on Instagram at @twiceasgoodmedia and visit their website at twiceasgoodmedia.com. Stay safe and be mindful! 💚 Best, Diva with Depression

Positive Journalism: The motivation to become a journalist can be explored through a rich tapestry of perspectives. For many aspiring journalists, an unwavering passion for storytelling ignites their ambition, propelling them to connect deeply with others. Some individuals experience a profound inner calling to enter this field, driven by a fervent desire to shine a spotlight on critical issues that often slip under the radar. In essence, journalism acts as a vital platform for amplifying the voices of those who are marginalized or silenced, empowering journalists to advocate fiercely on behalf of the voiceless. Many are drawn to this profession with the intention of educating the public and delivering essential information that equips individuals to make well-informed choices in their lives. Moreover, the role of a journalist is far from straightforward; it involves skillfully navigating a complex web of conflicting perspectives and societal challenges. This demanding endeavour requires not only a steadfast commitment to truth and integrity but also a unique capacity to engage empathetically with a wide range of viewpoints. Ultimately, the reasons individuals choose journalism are as varied and multifaceted as the stories they seek to tell. Each journalist is shaped by their personal experiences and a common aspiration to effect meaningful change in society, weaving together their unique narratives to contribute to a larger, collective understanding.

If you work in communications, PR or news and journalism, the 2024 Digital News Report just published by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism is worth adding to your reading list this week https://lnkd.in/eB5dTmXn Highlights from their report:  👉 More people than ever are turning away from news, with TV and print continuing to decline against online news consumption 👉 Social media platforms play an increasingly important role as sources of news, with Facebook, YouTube and What’s App now joined by TikTok, which the report says has overtaken Twitter for the first time.   👉 Video is becoming a more important source of online news As the BBC reports, news avoidance is now at record high levels https://lnkd.in/eJDvDuqy So what might people want instead? Some further insights from the report: 👉 News publishers may be focusing too much on top news stories and not enough on different perspectives or reporting positive stories   👉 News podcasting remains a bright spot, though with a modest following. Many of the most popular podcasts are now filmed and shared via video platforms such as YouTube and TikTok.  👉 Content creators should proceed with caution in using AI tools - only a minority of those surveyed by the report felt comfortable with news made mostly by AI with human oversight.   Similar trends in online behaviour were reported in We Are Social's Digital 2024 Global Overview Report published earlier this year https://lnkd.in/eBpt4w36 These include:  👉 Continued growth in social media use, along with an increase in the time we spend online  👉 Intensifying rivalry between Instagram and TikTok   👉 New milestones for Linkedin and Snapchat   👉 A decline in TV viewership 

Great job, great company

Semi regular rant from a veteran multi-media journalist in the age of misinformation (or see it as free advice from a pro): I implore my journalism colleagues who are trained primarily in text/print to use extreme caution and thought when turning to other mediums like video, audio and visuals. Many think of using video and audio as a way to grab attention for an important piece of text/print journalism to bring attention to the 'real reporting'. I get it - you need eyeballs and audience - readers and people are leaning more and more toward visual/audio - but this thinking is shortsighted and potentially dangerous journalistically. To be successful in gaining trust from the people you are trying to reach you cannot feed them garbage. You have to feed them smart, compelling, accurate visuals and audio that services the thrust your reporting in its totality, including its complexities. If you just feed them marketing material that doesn't contain the nuance and depth of your reporting - know this - the video/audio product is most likely the only thing many are going to engage with, and it is what people are more likely share most broadly. Therefore you'll be doing a disservice to your reporting. Here's the free advice: if you have a journalistic point you are making - don't hide it in your text piece. IT MUST BE THE PRIMARY POINT OF YOUR VIDEO & AUDIO piece as well. If you are afraid you are giving away your reporting (ie, 'now there's no reason to read the piece') you may be right - but if you don't do it this way you are absolutely: - not producing journalism - likely to have your video/audio work misconstrued, or worse, used for disinformation purposes - creating distrust bc you look foolish Ultimately, if you don't understand the full opportunity and ETHICS of video and audio journalism - hire someone who does. Otherwise you will create not just subpar work, but you can, and will most likely, create problematic journalism. # End of rant.

HOW ABOUT FOCUSING ON RESPONSES TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS (Prime Progress' JOURNALISM OF THREE YEARS)? During my time as an intern at the Sun Newspaper in Port Harcourt in 2014, one day, I phoned my editor and told him about a car accident that had happened on one of the city's busiest roads. I asked if I could do a story about it. "Did anybody die in the accident?" he asked. When I responded that no one died, he told me, "Innocent, you have no story" because, in his view, that was not news, and news must have the element of oddity (a code for negativity). Months after the motor accident, a very fatal gas accident happened and my editor made sure I did several stories about it. And when a seven-storey building under construction collapsed later down, he assigned me to produce updates throughout the days rescuers tried to bring bodies out of the rubble. These scenarios show just how problem-focused our traditional media are. And that focus does a lot of harm to the audience. Traditional media's focus on failure, negativity, and all that is wrong with Nigeria and Africa inflicts psychological and mental burns on the audience and instills a feeling of hopelessness and powerlessness. But how about we tell stories of resilience? Stories about people screwing cultural, religious, gender, and general stereotypes to find happiness and self-expression? Stories about people responding to social problems? How about we practice journalism that heals the burns inflicted by traditional media? Journalism that empowers and inspires hope? Well, this was my idea when I started Prime Progress in 2021: A media powerhouse that practices what I called "healing journalism". On March 15, Prime Progress will be three years old. And I am thrilled by how much we have achieved. Over 1200 high-quality stories by more than 50 writers and great staff members. We have also trained hundreds of young writers through our fellowships, monthly Solutions Journalism Clinic, and other events to adopt this approach to journalism. As we celebrate our third anniversary, we are raising the bar to do more. And we are open to partnerships and collaborations with other media organizations, nonprofits and other groups responding to social problems, research and data mining centers, and just anybody or group interested in this journalism that says, "Hey, it's not all gloom and doom." Feel free to reach us by emailing our Editorial Innovation and Partnership lead via [email protected] (and copy [email protected]) to discuss opportunities to collaborate. Nigeria Health Watch, Solutions Journalism Network

Okay journalists, writers and especially editors: I need your input. I coach a lot of former and current independent journalists and many are stuck in a tough spot: They are struggling to make ends meet financially with journalism work alone (I think we all know this is happening) so many of them end up supporting their journalism with content work. The biggest challenge here, though, is conflicts of interest. AND I've found that most publications *do not* have clear policies about what kind of brand work is problematic versus okay. Often, my clients are terrified that by working with the "wrong" brand client or misjudging a potential conflict of interest, they'll be blacklisted or considered untrustworthy in the journalism world. Writers, I'd love to hear your thoughts on what the conflict of interest and branded content "rules" are for the pubs you still write for. (For example, I still write for Wirecutter and we disclose these kinds of conflicts of interest in every story, when they come up, but I'm not barred from writing for them about outdoor gear just because I've created content for outdoor brands.) And editors, I'd especially love to hear from you about what's constitutes a "hell no" for journalism and content overlaps, and what you'd consider to be fine. Also, do any pubs have actual statements/ policies about this that I'm missing? Is this conversation being had elsewhere and I just haven't seen it? Discuss!