Journalism has been one of the most integral but lesser pronounced aspects of the idea of modern democracy. In the United States for example, lawmakers even to this day, turn to The Federalist Papers during debates to understand how their institutions were designed to operate. The Federalist Papers were first published in newspapers in New York in the late 1780s. Journalism as a check on power too, ideally, has tremendous potential. Though intellectuals like Noam Chomsky are finding it hard to be hopeful of it getting actualized with today’s corporate mass media. When reviewed, Kargil’s press hasn’t got a lot to relate with Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman’s propaganda model, for it explains how corporate media works. We don’t have the same mechanism in Kargil, however, this is no reason to be joyous of. Even if there’s not much commonality, flawed mass media is bound to have its ill effects on both parts of the world.

The post-Cold War world has seen a rise of populism and nationalist authoritarianism. Out of the rubble of destruction it is leaving behind in India, one positive change can be seen. Thanks partly to the pro-regime media that knows no ethics, which forms most of the mainstream television news, though not confined to it. With its unjournalistic ranting, disinformation campaigns and unapologetic support for the regime, it has made more people cognizant of the importance of free press and critical journalism in a country like India, where for example, the delicate but much targeted harmony between communities is highly vulnerable. Generally, the positive side of our local electronic media is presented, but for the most part, whatever we have in the name of media in Kargil, doesn’t pass the tests when observed. Batons of intimidation, systematic and otherwise, and a fog made of conformity and incompetency makes the current state of local media below par.

The biggest problem the local media has faced so far, paraphrasing one reporter, is the lack of communication facilities and resources. While these indeed are issues, but are definitely not enough to deform or kill the essence of journalistic questioning and reportage. The topics covered for the most part so far, has been mere hard news, the coverage of breaking events involving top leaders, major issues, or significant disruptions in the routines of daily life, and soft news which aims more at entertaining, with human interest stories for instance. Even in this act of delivering partial justice to the tag of journalism, coverage is selective, as intimidation and lack of competency perdure unquestioned. Interests and dishonest perceptions of powerful kakistocrats are kept secured at the cost of media ethics. The media class is both a victim and an accomplice, complicit in intimidation and systematic suppression of its own legitimate rights and the rights of the people to be well informed and make informed decisions. Tough questions are not asked, and critical analysis is nowhere to be seen.

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Commenting on one reporter’s assertion, the media class of Kargil is perhaps, in its early stages of inception rather than in transition from amateurism to professionalism. There is little professionalism, for only a few of the them seem actually competent or have a formal qualification. The current fraternity seems to be pleasing all but the critical section of the audience that is able to see through the curtains. “Newspapers should have no friends”, said Joseph Pulitzer more than a century ago, but in sharp contrast, the uncritical presentation of the ones in and with power and the ones with influence, and maintaining a policy of cordiality with them has always, lamentably, remained a distinguishing aspect of our local media. It doesn’t seem to deserve the tags it has been crowned with in their entirety. The celebrations can only be described as vainglorious, conceited. When there is not a single day of fearless and critical journalism to cite, practitioners can be thought of having acted as mere stenographers and as extended arms of public relations, and the politically incorrect yet accurate word, mouthpiece, comes to the mind. This is not to overlook the fact that the local media has brought up issues like underdevelopment into notice. A medium through which the public is able to express concerns like underdevelopment and unemployment is crucial for the establishment of a just and happy place, but so is critical journalism. Where the local electronic media in particular, has to some extent succeeded in becoming the former, it has mostly failed to ensure the latter. If it doesn’t have the necessary resources, competency, and freedom, why even recognize it as such? Does it really deserve the hype? Is the self-praise justifiable?

“I feel angered at the fact that I belong to this fraternity, but people put me in ‘that’ category”, one of the few journalists with actually a degree in media, told the author. He went on to say that his batch-mates were doing well in Delhi and other places, but he chose to stay in Ladakh, but so far, what came in return is little more than a sense of insecurity and unjust labelling from the public. It is understandable that when there’s no room for critical journalism at all and most in the practice are conforming to the system or incompetent or both, the ones who had honestly opted the profession to provide justice to it will feel insecure, unappreciated, and sometimes even like reconsidering their choices. Along with commenting on and pointing out the amateurishness, critical readers need to appreciate the professionals and the competent practitioners for whatever limited professionalism and competency they can deliver. When intimidated or harassed, defending them through whatever means will be crucial. So that they feel encouraged and secure in doing their job.

However, incompetency and lack of ease cannot be called the only major problems our local media is facing in these early days of its inception that are going unpronounced. While criticizing the local media-folks on social media for their incompetency, a harsh truth is hardly acknowledged. That is the income prospect a career like journalism has to offer in a region like ours. Journalism is generally not seen as a lucrative career here. There is much intimidation and less reward. Empowerment and reformation of our local press must include the economics of journalism too, as vulnerability can be counted among the major factors determining how enthusiastically and ethically media can function. The current economic situation of the region offers little to nothing as a source of income for the press. Extensive research and planning will be needed to drive the press out of this conundrum, a dangerous conundrum, for sources of income can enjoy undue influence over coverage. It is obvious that financial independence of the press will not alone ensure its appropriate and optimal functioning, as along with it, competency, ethics, and commitment to the essence of the profession are also necessary.

Pulitzer’s another quote sums up much of the apprehensions, “An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery. A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself.”