Why bad news is good for journalists. And why positive news doesn't sell.
1. I worked for the Russian state media for 6 years. Mostly wrote about defence, geopolitics, oil, energy. Every time there was a clash involving India, Russia or the US, I had to generate more stories.
1. I worked for the Russian state media for 6 years. Mostly wrote about defence, geopolitics, oil, energy. Every time there was a clash involving India, Russia or the US, I had to generate more stories.
2. Minimum number of stories I could write as part of my contract was one every Saturday. But if I had a good story pitch or Moscow wanted more, there was no limit really. But I told the editor 7 was tops or else the quality of research would get impacted plus I'd get burnt out.
3. During those 6 years, I realised that whenever there a clash or a controversy, not only did Moscow want more stories but readers were insatiable. It is entirely understandable because people look up to the media for information.
4. I wasn't complaining. Since I was paid per story, it was in my interests to write more. Wars were the time when people sought my stories the most. I loved wars - in Syria, Ukraine, Kashmir, Chinese waters. I didn't like peace as my earnings remained at the basic level.
5. Here's how the equation works. For instance, if GDP growth has increased 20% year on year, it is fantastic news for everyone in India as it shows the economy is rebounding rather than tanking. It's a silver lining in a bleak scenario cased by the Chinese Communist Party virus.
6. This fantastic piece of news or data means millions of people won't lose jobs, will continue to work, may even get a pay increase. This is existential stuff. But it doesn't excite people because these are dry numbers.
7. On the contrary, a bunch of stinking jehadi goatherds start killing Afghans, and suddenly the whole of India is fearing an apocalypse. This is because people fear the unknown devil.
8. That's why zombie movies do well. Although we know zombies do not exist and therefore cannot hurt us, we we still fear them. The Taliban are like the zombies that have tapped into that fear.
9. Such irrational behaviour is entirely normal because people are irrational. This is why crooks (such as PC) steal thousands of crores despite knowing they cannot use all that money. They can steal 'only' Rs 50 crore and get away but they steal a king's ransom and get caught.
10. Again, irrationally, these crooks won't work out or lead a healthy life although these are the only things that will really help them enjoy their looted billions for longer.
11. And that's why in times of foreboding and uncertainty, media's importance grows. 2 days ago, I wrote my first military story in weeks, but not to tap into that fear but to address the info deficit about Taliban. Many readers wrote to me, saying the media was scaring them.
12. Since I don't write per piece any more, my story was only to inform and assuage people's fears. Plus, I was just astounded by the illiteracy of 99% of reporters especially in India. Most people who watched the news were half expecting the Taliban to be in Srinagar soon.
13. This is due to the fact that in general, journalists are bottom feeders - class back benchers, second or third div holders, rejects from engg, med, CA, MBA, IT etc.
14. They lack the education or expertise to report about most events. And often their reporting is coloured by agendas or their secular ideology. Many are prepaid or postpaid. And the seculars in particular are so dumb it takes them 2 hours to watch 60 Minutes.
15. Unfortunately, most people have no other option other than journalists to turn to. Also, many people continue to visit NDTV, TOI, Wire, The Print, Scroll, Outlook. Even God can't help them.
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