By TwoCircles.net Staff Reporter,
New Delhi: Becoming a prolific writer is the dream of a large number of journalism and mass communication students, who want to make a mark in the media industry. Although technology and social media are fragmenting news and delivering new challenges to the media industry, yet journalism is one of the most sought after professions among the youths of India. To help them achieve this, a book titled Nuances of Journalistic Writings was launched here on Friday.
Written by Raza Elahi, a Delhi-based journalist, the book deals with the dynamics of different types of journalistic writings – like news, feature, opinion, leisure and travel writings – as well as carries some interesting write-ups. The book has also a chapter on ‘Page 3 Journalism.’
According to Raza, who has earlier authored How to Become a Good Journalist three years back, Nuances of Journalistic Writings is a useful companion to anyone who is training to be or already in the business of effective communication in the English language. Its example-based approach will help not only students, but will also interest general readers.
Nuances of Journalistic Writings is published by New Delhi-based Applied Books and marketed by Media Hive. Though it is priced Rs 180, it is available at discounted price at Rs 126 at www.mediahive.co.in.
In a span of over 16 years in this profession, Elahi has worked in various capacities with leading national and international newspapers and media groups, including Khaleej Times (Dubai), The Economic Times, The Pioneer, exchange4media and The Financial Express (Delhi) etc. His first book How to Become a Good Journalist (Atlantic Publication, 2008), is very popular among journalism & mass communication students and young journalists.
The book was released on Friday. Raza Elahi spoke to TCN about his new book, importance of writing skills, recent media trends and much more. Excerpts:
Tell me about your book.
The book, Nuances of Journalistic Writings, deals with the English writing skills. It is written in such a fashion that it will interest not only media students and journalists but also to general public. It is an example-based book, laced with the interesting excerpts and write-ups that will interest everyone. The selection of articles is done in a way that they can be read and re-read.
Who are most targeted readers of this book?
Those in the business of English communication will particularly find this book a handy guide to enhance their writing skills. Although it is primarily written for aspiring journalists and young media professionals, yet this book will be helpful to anybody who wants his or her writing skills improved.
What's the relevance of English writing skills in the age of Twitter and Facebook?
Without commenting on Twitter and Facebook, my answer to your question is the saying of famous philospher and author Francis Bacon: Reading maketh a full man; conference a ready man; and writing an exact man.
What inspired you to be a journalist? And what’s most valuable tip you'll like to give to media students?
I always wanted to be a journalist. From my school days, I started writing for “letters to the editor” column of newspapers and my ardour for journalism grew over the years. My advice to aspiring journalists is to start their career from the desk. The desk gives the opportunity to handle news from different sources and beats as well as exposure to the whole production process of newspaper or TV news. It has been observed that those move from the desk to reporting turn to be good reporters compared with those jumped directly into reporting.
Some people feel that India’s electronic media has embraced sensationalist styles of presenting TV news. What’s your opinion?
The recent trend in electronic media creating hype around certain events, like the Anna Hazare-Baba Ramdev anti-corruption protests which often did not reach any conclusion or sensationalising news items to grab more eyeballs or the anchors becoming the judge to each and every issue, are the departure from basic ethics and definition of journalism. You compare our news channels with BBC, CNN, Al Jazeera etc., and will see the difference in approach and style of content and debate.
(Nuances of Journalistic Writings, which is available at Rs 126 and can be ordered at mediahive1@gmail.com or on 09911273924)