2008 Woodie Awards
Gandhi as journalist
Blog dispatch from students in India
Melissa Heintz
Issue: 7/14/08 Section: summer in india
When my dad found out I was planning on going to India, I felt like he was more excited than I was. I returned home for the summer to find movies, documentaries and travel guides waiting for me. One of the movies we watched was the biographical film entitled Gandhi, which depicted the life of Mohandas "Mahatma" (meaning "great soul") Gandhi. The movie follows Gandhi from his life-changing moment when he was a lawyer in South Africa and was thrown off a train for being an Indian traveling in first class, throughout the development of his philosophy on truth and non-violence, all the way up to his assassination. There is no doubt Gandhi had, and continues to have, a profound influence not only in South Africa and India but throughout the world. Our group of students was fortunate enough to visit Mani Bhavan, Gandhi's home in Mumbai from 1917-1934. Being in the very house where Gandhi lived, fasted for justice, worked and was arrested was an amazing experience.
Many people don't consider the role Gandhi played as a journalist. During his era, mass media did not consist of radio or television, yet "as an effective communicator, fearless and eloquent with his words, he reached out to millions of people and convinced them of his cause." With his letters and speeches he was able to spread his message of non-violence to the many corners of the world. From Mani Bhavan he launched an unregistered weekly bulletin, Satyagrahi, and took over Young India and Nava Jeevan weekly journals in English and Gujarati respectively.
During our workshop today at Xavier Institute of Communication, several students analyzed the clash of information versus infotainment in the media. Many believe journalists sensationalize the news and add elements of entertainment to their stories instead of covering "real issues" while just ignoring certain elements altogether. Some people argued it is up to the few (us future journalists) to make decisions for the many, while others argued it is up to the few to inform the many and give them the option to make decisions for themselves. After researching Gandhi's role as a mass communicator and a journalist, I find it fascinating how one person can bring awareness to real hard-hitting issues that had previously been ignored while still remaining ethical. "His letters to the editors of South African dailies are a lesson to all journalists on how to fight injustice in a country where the laws are loaded against one section of the people, without giving offence to the rulers themselves."
Many people don't consider the role Gandhi played as a journalist. During his era, mass media did not consist of radio or television, yet "as an effective communicator, fearless and eloquent with his words, he reached out to millions of people and convinced them of his cause." With his letters and speeches he was able to spread his message of non-violence to the many corners of the world. From Mani Bhavan he launched an unregistered weekly bulletin, Satyagrahi, and took over Young India and Nava Jeevan weekly journals in English and Gujarati respectively.
During our workshop today at Xavier Institute of Communication, several students analyzed the clash of information versus infotainment in the media. Many believe journalists sensationalize the news and add elements of entertainment to their stories instead of covering "real issues" while just ignoring certain elements altogether. Some people argued it is up to the few (us future journalists) to make decisions for the many, while others argued it is up to the few to inform the many and give them the option to make decisions for themselves. After researching Gandhi's role as a mass communicator and a journalist, I find it fascinating how one person can bring awareness to real hard-hitting issues that had previously been ignored while still remaining ethical. "His letters to the editors of South African dailies are a lesson to all journalists on how to fight injustice in a country where the laws are loaded against one section of the people, without giving offence to the rulers themselves."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
Veronica Martin
posted 8/07/08 @ 3:44 AM PST
Really great summation of Gandhi's life! It's nice to tie our previous "tourist" viewing experience with our time spent at Xavier and the conversations we had there. (Continued…)
Marilyn
posted 8/07/08 @ 10:05 PM PST
Good thing dad set you up with those late night India videos he got. I saw the movie Gandhi when it first came out. He had a very interesting life.
Robin Craggs & Julie Mathews
posted 8/08/08 @ 8:12 AM PST
Dear Melissa:
Julie and Robin very much appreciated reading your thoughtful piece on Gandhi, espcially the way you integrated new information about the facts of Gandhi's life with reflections on the role of the journalist in society. (Continued…)
Sean Milton
posted 8/08/08 @ 10:01 AM PST
Gandhi was profound in a time lacking mass media and it was interesting for you to note that. He was able to reach out to so many without the luxuries of today. (Continued…)
Jessica Miller
Jessica Miller
posted 8/09/08 @ 6:57 AM PST
Actually standing in Gandhi's house was pretty powerful. I think that the only way that we can truly expose the multiple realities to our communities and to the world is through nonconformity. (Continued…)
lostintranslation
Kassi Rodgers
posted 8/09/08 @ 7:56 PM PST
This was a beautifully written account of what it does feel like being in Ghandhi's home. We joke in the group about there never being any place to relax and reflect in Mumbai, except Ghandi's house, because sadly no one is there. (Continued…)
Kevin Wren
posted 8/09/08 @ 11:12 PM PST
I think you did a great job of capturing the holiness Ghandi and his house. He wasn't just a man and it isn't just a house. "Ghandi" is a great movie, your dad did a good job. (Continued…)
Mat Lohr
posted 8/10/08 @ 3:52 AM PST
Ghandi's house felt holy just walking in it. It was completely quiet and we didn't even have the urge to say a word. It was a great experience.
Laurel Saito
posted 8/11/08 @ 12:01 AM PST
I was actually surprised we would in fact have this experiance. Never did I think we would be able to see the letters he wrote to Hitler, origional photos, ect. (Continued…)
erica webster
Erica Webster
posted 8/13/08 @ 7:01 AM PST
nice work relating ghandi to journalism. way to bring it full circle.
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