Sedition Act, 1870: Section-124 A

Pl click the link for one news item on the issue:

http://thewire.in/21472/a-short-summary-of-the-law-of-sedition-in-india/

Types of Newspaper Articles

Newspaper Articles include News Articles, Features, Editorials, Columns and Opinions. For instance, The Tribune, India has the Op-Ed Section that includes Editorials, Middle and Articles.

News Articles: These are impersonal, objective, informative and mainly categorized as ‘hard’ news and ‘soft’ news based on immediacy and significance of the event or incident. News that creates concern falls under the former category. In the latter, human interest surpasses the immediate impact.

News Articles are written in inverted pyramid style with most important facts written first. The Lead includes 5Ws and 1 H: from who, what, when, where, why to how of the news are covered in the first paragraph. The next paragraph reinforces the lead. All the other paragraphs add detail. The last paragraph is usually open-ended hinting at further developments.

So, ‘hard news’ may be about militant attack at Uri headquarters of the army in J& K on September 18, 2016, while ‘soft news’ would be an item like the news about the German army training Eagles to intercept drones in revival of old practice of falconry, again published in the same week , same month in 2016.

Good news is distinguished for accuracy, balance, fairness- these help build credibility. Also important are brevity, clarity and readability as these help sustain interest. Human interest is self-explanatory. Above all, sharp observation makes the news distinctive as it adds details and may even help investigation or evoke the right questions.

But though ‘treatment’ of the content should be excellent to produce a well-crafted news story, the identification of newsworthy subject is of still greater importance.

The news value is suggested by possession of: Timeliness, Proximity, Prominence, Conflict, Future Impact or Consequence, Human Interest and Unusualness/Bizarre or Shock value.

Depending upon the importance, the news will be placed on the first page or subsequent pages.

News reporting may be Investigative, Interpretive, Event Reporting, Political Reporting, Parliamentary, Reporting, Legal Reporting, Business Reporting, Science & Technology Reporting, Sports Reporting and Development reporting.

Features: Features have a broad rubric. They are based on people, places and situations but go beyond.They are subjective and pivoted on the author’s perspective of things. They are descriptive but may also be quirky.

These include News Features and Timeless Features.

News Features are topical and express a take or opinion on latest news. They are timely and as they are connected to the ‘news peg’ they are based on, they are temporal-limited and governed by time.

Timeless Features have a long shelf life- they remain fresh perennially and in fact, may remain evergreen due to sustained human interest.

Editorials: These express the opinion of the newspaper. They are usually unsigned and views expressed in the editorial section are generally those to which the media group subscribes. In HT often editorials furnish news analysis while the editorial space is taken by an article by a prominent journalist with a disclaimer.

Opinions: Opinions, usually, expressed by experts in a particular field. These are informed observations of experts and may guide the readers’ opinion.

Middle: These relate anecdotes and episodes. The author shares his observations on life, language, life-style through personal anecdotes and observations. These are written by lay persons and are distinguished by quirky writing style, wit or humour.

Columns: Columns are published regularly or periodically. The reader may be hooked on to the outlook or writing style of a particular columnist or feature writer whose features regularly appear in a particular newspaper having a space dedicated to it. There is Poonam Saxena writing for Brunch magazine writing on TV serials and soaps.Rajiv Makhani writes ‘Technilicious’, again a popular column on gadgets. But the frontrunners are perhaps the likes of Karan Thapar whose articles and columns are pegged on imperial legacy and contrast Indian behavior with the British sense of propriety.Vir sanghvi writes ‘Rude Food’ for ‘Brunch’, a Hindustan Times magazine supplement.

References:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/english/creativewriting/commissionsrev6.shtml

Think it over:

According to BBC, most writing is pivoted on genre, audience, purpose and style (GAPS).

Editorial Writing

An editorial is a newspaper article having immediate relevance and pertaining to a current issue.

For instance, though, sharing of Cauvery water has always been a bone of contention with the two states, the issue becomes topical due to latest developments. Violence followed the September 2016 judgment pronounced by Supreme Court asking Karnataka to release water to Tamil Nadu as water crisis deepens in the two states. The Hindu acclaimed for its timely editorials immediately published an article on the Cauvery water dispute with the title ‘Sharing without Caring’ observing that the dispute was less about ‘water and irrigation and more about linguistic chauvinism and regional identity’(September14, 2016).Similarly, the editorial published by The Hindu ‘Sapping India’s Vitality’ lamented the failure of public health system in curbing vector-borne viral diseases. 

Editorials analyze and comment upon local, national and international news of significance. ‘Syrian Crisis’ rules the year and it will be a mere desperate prayer to wish the Middle east revolution would turn out to be unreal nightmare not a reality with future. Once again, September13, 2016 headline of The Hindu ‘They are the world…’ in a woeful parody of a hopeful song of yore draws attention to the grim picture of migrant children based on UNICEF reports underlining the shocking figure of more than 50 million displaced children.

A range of subjects from immigration norms, war and violence to constitutional reforms may be considered for editorial writing. Editorials like those by Philip P. Kerby of Los Angeles Times in 1976 have upheld freedom of expression and canvassed for the ‘right to know’ by questioning the need for ‘government secrecy’ and ‘judicial censorship’. Despite, adverse political pressure, editorials have been conscience-keepers of those in power.

In an interesting editorial discussing Indian judicial system under the heading ‘From dissent to disapproval,’ the newspaper, The Hindu maintains that history ‘shows that principled dissent often leads to reform’. It expresses adulation for Justice J. Chelameswar who ‘has acted on his famous dissent. After disagreeing with the majority on a Constitution Bench that struck down the law enacted to establish a National Judicial Appointments Commission, the judge, who is part of the five-member Supreme Court collegium, has opted to keep out of its proceedings’(September5, 2016).

It is important to refer to Pulitzer Prize that is given in honour of excellence in journalism since 1917. Editorials that are remarkable in spirit and word are awarded. The parameters suggest the importance of hinging strong writing skills on rationality and morality to lead public opinion; awards go to‘ distinguished editorial writing, the test of excellence being clearness of style, moral purpose, sound reasoning, and power to influence public opinion in what the writer conceives to be the right direction, using any available journalistic tool’.According to Wikipedia, an ‘editorial, leading article (US) or leader (UK), is an opinion piece written by the senior editorial staff or publisher of a newspaper, magazine, or any other written document. Editorials may be supposed to reflect the opinion of the periodical ’.

The editorial articulates the viewpoint or the official position held by a newspaper regarding an issue of public importance. It is not an individual expert’s view point on an issue but the position taken on local, national or international matters by the publication. The attitude when publishing an editorial is not of ‘disclaimer’ but of acceptance, acknowledgement and responsibility. Editorials are required to be lucid, analytical, well crafted, provocative and persuasive.

These are rich in information, deeply researched (2005) and deal with issues comprehensively. They often address ‘complex state issues’ (2004), explore ‘dilemmas’ (2002) .The tone may vary from forceful or dispassionate to ‘down-to-earth’ to ‘admonishing’ (2009) or ‘incisive ‘(2004)when criticism is justified but also ‘compassionate and compelling’ (2007) where public opinion needs to be guided.

These excel at analysis and can assess consequences of current developments and gauge their future impact. Well-researched editorials can help fix responsibilities and resolve crisis- they have the power to enlighten people and create greater awareness as information reaches the public in a credible and comprehensive manner.

However, editorials appeal not out of prejudice but equipoise. For instance, David Moats of Rutland (VT) Herald won recognition for his ‘even-handed and influential series of editorials’ commenting on a certain controversial and divisive issue(2001).They can even mitigate disaster or civil crisis and have the effect of healing as editorials by John Strohmeyer of Bethlehem (PA) Globe-Times that aimed at ‘reducing racial tensions in Bethlehem’ in 1972.

Editorials have the power to run campaigns. Noteworthy are the editorials by John C. Bersia of The Orlando Sentinel in 2000 that campaigned against ‘predatory lending practices in the state, which prompted changes in local lending regulations’. Editorials were found effective in campaigns that ranged from rescuing heritage buildings (1999) to helping government restructure the education system. They may prompt reforms and empower the powerless as the editorials dealing with social welfare systems centred on children and women. While governments and corporate are interested in ‘development’; editorials may draw attention to the contemporary threat from ‘overdevelopment’.

They may demonstrate the grit to go against- the- grain or satirize establishment even when the majority view is different. Joseph Rago of The Wall Street Journal was commended for his well-written editorials that questioned health reforms advocated by the US president Obama.

They may be ‘relentless’ and unsparing in condemnation of social disparities and expose the real issues with a missionary zeal. Sensitive editorials may help sustain sympathy for a long-standing but neglected cause or even be capable of evoking empathy when issues become hackneyed. Editorials are praised for bringing fresh perspectives on much-lamented issues. Cornelia Grumman of Chicago Tribune won the 2003 Pulitzer for ‘her powerful, freshly challenging editorials on reform of the death penalty’.

A well-written editorial is distinguished for ‘engaging readers and driving home the link between necessary solutions and their impact on everyday lives’ (Pulitzer Prize, 2014).They must be able to explain urgent but complex issues in simple terms. Great editorials have the power to run campaigns and cause governments to reconsider their decisions and revise their policies as 2013 award-winning editorial by Tim Nickens and Daniel Ruth of Tampa Bay Times did. Some editorials have been acknowledged to have stirred the governments into action as 2005 editorial that made government take stalk of a flooded valley in California. The writers were praised for their ‘diligent campaign that helped reverse a decision to end fluoridation of the water supply for the 700,000 residents of the newspaper's home county’.

As stated, the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing was won by John Hackworth and Brian Gleason of Sun Newspapers, Charlotte Harbor ‘For fierce, indignant editorials that demanded truth and change after the deadly assault of an inmate by corrections officers’. The list of editorials includes topics dealing with ‘income inequality’ (2015); ‘rising pension costs’ (2014); to those dealing with inability of governments to curb child abuse.

References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Editorial

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/from-dissent-to-disapproval/article9072595.ece

http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/editorial/editorial-on-cauvery-issue-and-the-dispute/article9104515.ece

http://www.pulitzer.org/prize-winners-by-category/214

Note: Above is an original essay written for use by YMCA students.

Types of Editing

With advent of Desktop publishing, the process of editing became revolutionized. The possibility of editing compositions on-screen has made the task of professionals both easy and cheap.

It is asserted by media gurus that post-digitization, wordsmiths and grammarians are required but those who know Quark have the edge in crisis.
Moreover, a regular copy editor today is expected to be simultaneously producing an SEO(Search Engine Optimization), a copy not just suitable for web but targeted most frequently in search terms and making the text visible during browsing quests of prospective readers.

Based on current trends, editing has evolved into the following types:

Developmental Editing

When qualitative editing is required at the manuscript level for a Work in Progress(WIP) or when the manuscript is complete. It deals with story-telling techniques and writing skills and sometimes with the book design including placement of chapters.

It may require re-writing the story or re-working the plot.

Substantive Editing/Content Editing

Even a promising manuscript requires editing. The narrative may be engaging, the writing skills may be enviable and yet editing may be required for consistency and coherence. It may be desirable in keeping with norms and conventions of storytelling and even where there are deviations to create a cogent impression.

Some characters may need to appear more flesh and blood, certain loose-ends may require tying up, some images may be unintentionally left incomplete and may need finishing touches.

The intention of the author shall be executed by the editor in substantive editing.

Stylistic Editing/Line editing

This editing is executed for paragraphs and sentences.The aesthetic impression is consolidated by balancing narrative with dialogue or focalization with performative elements.Simply, what is told and what is shown and how...

Copy editing

Not to confuse with stylistic editing or line editing, it is copy editing that turns out a manuscript that conforms to the style sheets as per the convention.

It aims at refining the syntax and removing inconsistencies that may be factual, chronological  or grammatical.

Proofreading

It double-checks the manuscript and eliminates any errors and inconsistencies especially in spellings, punctuation and grammars left over by the copy editor.

Candid Meghna talks to YMCA correspondent Anshul Garg

Meghna Malik's Many Avataras: The Grand Mater 'Amma ji' or the Gorgeous Lady in Red
Photo by Anshul Garg; courtesy: Dushyant Tyagi

Guru Jambeshwar University, Hisar recently hosted the Haryana International Film Festival. Present amongst the galaxy of stars from the film fraternity was the talented Meghna Malik who caught the national imagination with her power-packed performance as Ammaji, the intimidating protagonist/anti-heroine of a TV Soap based on gender discrimination practised in rural heartland of Haryana.

Our student-correspondent Anshul Garg posed all the right questions to the magnetic Meghna. Here are the highlights of the interview with the Grand Mater of Is Desh Na AAna Lado fame...


मुझे गर्व है मै जाट हूँ : मेघना  मलिक

Wow Factor!
Photo by Anshul Garg

 गुरु जम्भेश्वर विज्ञान एवं प्रौद्योगिकी विश्वविद्यालय  में चार दिवसीय आयोजित पहला                 

                           हरियाणा  अंतर राष्टीय फिल्म फेस्टिवल  

 छोटे पर्दे की मशहूर अभिनेत्री मेघना मलिक से अंशुल गर्ग के द्वारा लिय गए रूबरू  के मुख्य अंश |  

प्रशन :- 1  टीवी जगत की दुनिया में कदम रखते समय क्या -क्या परेशानी का सामना करना पड़ा |

 मलिक : मेघना मलिक जी ने  बताया की शुरूआत में तो परेशानी आती है अगर होसले बुलंद हो तो सारी परेशानियां  दूर हो जाती है | नई  दुनिया में तो परेशानियो  का सामना करके की आगे बढ़ते  है | 

 प्रशन :- 2  हरियाणा में लोगो की सोच बेटो की है न की बेटियों की ऐसे में आपके परिवार का क्या सहयोग रहा | 

 मलिक : मुझे शुरू से ही शौक था | परिवार का साथ अपने बच्चो के साथ ही रहता है पर बच्चो के सही रास्ते व नेक इरादे  होने चाहिए | परिवार का साथ हमेशा  रहता है |

Renowned Actress Megna Malik Interacting with Journalism and Mass Communication students of YMCAUST

Photo by Jagdeep, MA(J& MC)-I

प्रशन :-3 . आप हरियाणा  से होते हुए भी आपने " न आना इस देश लाडो "सीरियल में आपका कैसा अनुभव रहा | 

  मलिक :  ऐसे  बहुत कम लोग होते है जो कदम रखे और  छा  जाये |

मेघना मालिक इंटरेक्टिंग वीद वाई एम् सी ए जर्नलिज्म एंड मास् कम्युनिकेशन स्टूडेंट्स
Photo by Jagdeep

प्रशन :- 4 . आप को अम्मा जी के नाम जाना जाता है आप को कैसा लगता है |  

 मलिक : बड़ी मुश्किल  से लाखो लोगो के दिलो - दिमाग पर छाना बहुत बड़ी बात है |

प्रशन :- 5 . आप की ओर से  युवाओं को क्या सन्देश  |

मलिक : युवाओं  को पढाई पर और सही काम पर फोकस, मेहनत, दिलो पर छाने का काम करना चाहिय |साथ ही कहा की शोर्ट- कर्ट नही चलना चाहिय |

 प्रशन :- 6  अभिनय के छेत्र  में आप  कितना समय हो गया  है | 

मालिक :  मेघना मलिक  ने बताया की मुझे अभिनय के छेत्र  में  16 साल हो गए है |  

 प्रशन :- 7  आपकी  भविष्य  की क्या योजना है | 

 मलिक : हमारी ऐसी कोई योजना नही होती है मै चाहती हु की जिन लोगो को रोल करने में असुरक्षा होती है मै चाहती हू 

Listening intently,Thinking it Over!
Meghna Malik being interviewed by Anshul Garg
Photo by jagdeep

 प्रशन :- 8  आप हरियाणा की शान है हरियाणा में जाटो  को आरक्षण  मिलना चाहिय या नही |

मलिक : मुझे गर्व है मै जाट हु मै  आरक्षण   पर कुछ नही बोलना चाहती हू |

Keep following for Highlights from Haryana International Film Festival held at GJU, Hisar