[Goanet]Re: BEN ANTAO: Free Goa's First Elections...

[Sachin Phadte]

It took me some time to decide how I should be responding to the various 
exchanges on this line of discussion.  The reason is that while we can 
definitely appreciate the candour with which Ben has set out his experience, 
I am a little puzzled with the rationalisation that seems to be floating 
around.

We have discussed, very rightly too, about the way the present dispensation 
in Goa is trying to suppress the media.  But it would seem to me, based on 
what Ben wrote, that the rot has a long origin and is not of recent vintage. 
 And it would seem to me that some on Goanet do not find that aspect 
disturbing as they rightly find the present situation disconcerting.  I 
would have thought that what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

What has upset me is that it would seem that the journalist operate in an 
environment which seems to make them not be professionally unbiased. This 
upsets me because, as I had said earlier, I think the media has an important 
role to play in a democracy.

Recently, the Nobel Laureate Prof Amartya Sen ("Democracy and Its Global 
Roots", The New Republic, October 6, 2003) wrote: "Indeed, voting is only 
one way -- though certainly a very important way -- of making public 
discussions effective, when the opportunity to vote is combined with the 
opportunity to speak, and to listen, without fear. The force and the reach 
of elections depend critically on the opportunity for open public 
discussion."

Given the rationalisation of Ben's motivation and actions, particularly by 
as senior journalist like Fred, would indicate to me that Prof Sen's 
condition for a functioning democracy has not been in existence for a long 
time.  Of course, we should try and recover it, if it is lost.  But this can 
happen only when we do not indulge in rationalisation but in admitting the 
facts as they are.  If Lambert's whetting of editorials by the owners of the 
journal he was writing is to be even obliquely justified, then surely it 
would be difficult to condemn an editorial of any journal to be similarly 
whetted today.

Of course, two wrongs do not make a right.  But we can come to this only 
when we clearly admit that there was a wrong done earlier.  Otherwise, we 
lose the moral right of condemning the wrong today.  After all, the one 
doing today's wrong can turn around and say that he/she is following the 
example set earlier.

To emphasise my point, let me quote what Shobha De ("Mumbai-Lite??", The 
Times of India, September 14, 2003) wrote recently: "A week ago, I called a 
prominent politician a 'goonda' during a high-powered private dinner. A 
well-wisher advised me to zip up my mouth in future: "It's okay to say these 
things in Mumbai to another Mumbaikar. But don't ever express your views so 
frankly in the presence of outsiders. That 'goonda' is an incredibly 
influential man, a vindictive man." I had noticed the noncommittal silence 
that had followed my comment. A silence that was as eloquent as it was 
sickening. I naively used to believe that here in Mumbai we were free to 
speak our minds without fear of political vendetta. I want to continue to 
believe in that freedom. For, at the end of the day, that's all one can 
invest in, count on...and await juicy dividends. Commerce rules in Mumbai. 
It always has. Rather robust commerce than communal corrosion. Mumbai 
counts."

I think she was talking about a minister in the present ruling alliance in 
Maharashtra.  Would I be naïve if I say that if Shobha does follow her 
well-wisher's advise, she has forfeited her right to condemn any other 
person?  If so, then how will the 'goonda' know that the people think of 
him/her as a 'goonda'?

Some will say that I am an idealistic person.  But is not idealism necessary 
for a healthy democracy?

If I have touched on a sensitive matter in an insensitive manner, I would 
like to apologise right here.

Sachin Phadte

_________________________________________________________________
Celebrate Shakti. Send money to loved ones in India. 
http://server1.msn.co.in/sp03/navaratri/ Have a joyous Navratri.

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