On Tue, 28 Oct 2003, The Goan Forum wrote: > IGO, I Goan, I Gone! > a TGF editorial > > In the post-Portuguese era, it appears that most Goans > are being brainwashed into believing anti-Portugal > lies by the Indian administration through their > pathetic lackeys in the Goa press. > > The press wants us to believe that the 1961 Indian > military action was about Liberation of Goans. The > Portuguese had "amassed a huge army on the other side > of the border (inside Goa). They were ready to wipe
> Unless otherwise specified, comments (minus foul > language) will be used on TGF website. Not sure who's views these are, as, much like the unsigned newspaper editorials, these go without any individual's named attached to it ;-) May I however have the temerity to suggest that the entire posting shows a profound misunderstanding of the Press in Goa; a lack of awareness of who's who in the Goa media, let aside an appreciation of the roles played by others who for whatever reason are not known to the Net world; and an attempt to fit a critique of the Press into a simply unmatching set of biases about the manner in which the then colonial rule came to its sudden if bitter end in 1961. Goa's Press may, and does indeed, suffer from a 101 problems. But one doubts that Portuguese-bashing figures anywhere among the top 100 problem on this list. It is a fact though, that a significant section in Goa, specially those who feel they didn't gain anything from it, is yet to overcome its apathy towards some aspects of Portuguese rule. Many here are, of course, not able to deal with their former rulers simply with equanimity, as are, for instance, Europeans while talking about the Romans who ruled them some 2000 years ago. Finally, the comment appears confused not just in trying to understand what ails the Goa Press, but also in the stand it takes towards a new proposed publication. Would it be a good initiative if a bad man (or team) ran it but religiously adhered to the perspectives outlined in the comment above? Would it be a bad initiative if a good man (or team) ran it but honestly disagreed with the perspectives outlined in the piece above? That's what the logic above seems to suggest sometimes... >From a viewpoint of greater media diversity, any new publication is welcome. Let's see how the publication's promises tally with the reality, how much space it creates for the expression of views by the people of Goa, and whether it's rationality or emotions that go into the building of circulation.... Personally, one does not feel priviledged to be included in the list of "good exceptions in the Goa Press" listing by the TGF. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, because the entire critique shows a remarkable ability to misdiagnose a situation. Secondly, also because it excludes a significant number of people doing good work who are not known to those commentators who judge the situation sitting half-a-globe away. (No offence meant here; but that's how it is...) The oft-cited examples (Siddhi story ... Daman bridge) had more to do with a (possibly dangerous) lack of awareness and the perils of breathless daily journalism, as someone called it, rather than a profound level of malice towards the Portuguese. One was personally present when the reporter spoke to the Siddhi tribals at the Margao culture fest, and knows under what conditions. Maybe this shows that half-knowledge is dangerous; maybe it reflects badly on how we in the Press operate. But to make this part of a major thesis to "prove" media bias against the former colonial ruler is simply unconvincing, if not being out of touch with the changing reality here. Maybe, in the Daman bridge case, the might have been even an official attempt to stave off responsibility for a collapsed bridge, rather than any deepseated animosity towards the Portuguese. (The report was forwarded to Goanet bu ,e, and though forwarding an inaccurate statement does not absolve one of responsibility, the intention was surely not malicious in this case.) By making mountains out of molehills, and repeating the case on so many occasions, it doesn't make the critique necessarily valid.... leave along more convincing. FN PS: This is a request that these views not be quoted on other websites other than the mail archives of this list, as I've been "quoted" way out of context by the TGF in the past.... not suggesting that this was intentional, but that's how it was. PPS: Of course, it's difficult to have the last word sometimes on Goanet... so, for me, this is it on the subject. ########################################################################## # Send submissions for Goanet to [EMAIL PROTECTED] # # PLEASE remember to stay on-topic (related to Goa), and avoid top-posts # # More details on Goanet at http://joingoanet.shorturl.com/ # # Please keep your discussion/tone polite, to reflect respect to others # ##########################################################################
