Skip to content Skip to navigation

JFA defies Outlook terming it bias

Journalists’ Forum Assam (JFA), while expressing concern at the attitude of a national magazine to portray the editor of a satellite news channel in negative light, argues that the magazine only shows its bias against Arnab Goswami rather than highlighting bigger causes of ruin in the Indian television media.

Reacting to the latest issue of Outlook, where an article on the editor-anchor of Times Now is published as a cover page story with the highlight ‘The Man Who Killed TV News’, the Assam based journalist forum pointed out ‘criticizing a particular editor of a news channel as being the murderer of the television journalism is uncalled for’. “Is Indian journalism is so week that one Arnab Goswami can destroy it,” questioned a JFA statement issued by its president Rupam Barua and secretary Nava Thakuria.

One may not like the way of journalistic exercises adopted by the management of Times Now (so thus Arnab Goswami), but it should not be blamed alone as the other channels (namely NewsX, Headlines Today, Zee etc) have also been doing the same, probably in different size and shape.

“What is amazing that the former editor of Outlook was a regular participant of Goswami’s Newshour debate. Was the present editorial team of Outlook waiting for the founding editor’s departure to publish the cover page article on Goswami?”, added the JFA statement. The forum also pointed out that the so-called national magazines never publish editorials (nor even articles) narrating the difficulties of thousands of television employees as they are deprived of a statutory wage board benefits. Not to speak of television journalists, the sizable number of print journalists across the country is still deprived of some basic minimum facilities till date.

“Show us an editorial of Outlook since its inception, where the plight of the media employees is highlighted?’ concluded the statement adding “When the journalists and other employees of newspapers & news agencies in India are entitled for the benefits of Majithia Wage Board, the employees of television channels are deprived of the same. Is it not a persistent destroyer of the medium?”

Author info

AT News's picture

Assam Times Staff. editor@assamtimes.org

Add new comment

Assamese Translator

Assam Times seeks English to Assamese translators!
Join our volunteer team.
Email editor@assamtimes.org.

Random Stories

Grenade defused at Geetanagar

13 Jan 2009 - 5:52pm | editor
A powerful grenade was defused on Tuesday morning at Geetanagar area in the city of Guwahati 12 hours after an encounter between police and ULFA where a rebel was shot dead.According to information,...

ABSU observes anti terrorism day

30 Jul 2016 - 6:43pm | Ranjan K Baruah
All Bodo Students Union (ABSU) has observed 20th anti terrorism day on 30th July at Jwhwlao Swambla Fwthar in Goibari near Basugaon in Chirang district.  The programme started with flag hoisting...

Jyotimoy Kakati tribute evening on Mar 16

15 Mar 2015 - 9:00pm | AT News
A tribute evening in memory of  artiste Jyotimoy Kakati will be held on March 16, 2015, 6:00pm at Rabindra Bhawan, Guwahati. Veteran music director Ramen Barua and Bipul Barua...

Ajita Tiwari,  Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change

Consultation on Climate Change held

7 Sep 2013 - 12:17am | Syed Miraz Ahmed
Several environmentally ‘unfriendly’ projects in Assam and other Northeast Indian States are being touted as sustainable, receiving funds under the United Nation’s Clean Development Mechanism,...

Other Contents by Author

The Directorate of Cultural Affairs under the Assam government marked its 53rd anniversary with a historic event celebrating the recognition of Asomiya (Assamese) as a classical language. Held at the iconic Rabindra Bhawan, the evening highlighted the significance of this achievement and charted a roadmap for the language's preservation and growth in written and colloquial forms. The courtyard of Rabindra Bhawan, adorned with vibrant decorations and a podium beneath lush Bokul trees, hosted an enthusiastic audience of dignitaries and scholars. As the sun dipped below the Brahmaputra’s horizon, the program commenced with three distinguished panelists sharing their insights. The...
Tensions escalated in Manipur’s violence-hit Jiribam district on Sunday night as clashes between security forces and protesters turned deadly, officials reported. A young protester, identified as 21-year-old K. Athouba, was fatally shot amid the chaos. A police official confirmed that an investigation is underway to determine who fired the fatal shot, while protesters allege that a Manipur Police special commando unit was responsible. Two others were reported injured in the incident. The violence erupted as mobs attacked and vandalized properties belonging to political leaders and various party offices. According to police reports, the unrest began at Babupara before spreading to other...
The body of a tiger was discovered in the Horonbali Chapori area of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, located in Assam’s Biswanath district, on Monday. Forest guards came across the carcass during a routine patrol and alerted senior officials, who subsequently arrived at the scene to recover the remains. Preliminary findings suggest that the tiger may have died as a result of a fight with another tiger. To confirm the exact cause of death, samples will be sent to a forensic laboratory for further analysis. The disposal of the carcass was carried out under the supervision of senior forest officials and veterinary doctors. Kaziranga National Park, recognized as a Tiger Reserve...
Guwahati Police has successfully busted a cybercrime gang involved in a major fraud operation. Eight individuals were arrested following a raid at a lodge in Boragaon. The gang was operating a network of "mule bank accounts" to facilitate the transfer of illegally obtained money. The arrested individuals were involved in opening bank accounts using fake identities and documents. They would then hand over these accounts to cybercriminals who used them to launder money obtained through online scams. The police seized numerous items, including mobile phones, ATM cards, cheque books, and electronic devices, from the arrested individuals. A case has been registered against the accused, and...
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958, to six police stations across five districts in Manipur. This decision, effective immediately, will remain in place until March 31, 2025. The affected areas include Sekmai, Lamsang, Lamlai, Jiribam, Leimakhong, and Moirang police stations in Imphal West, Imphal East, Jiribam, Kangpokpi, and Bishnupur districts. The extension is aimed at empowering security forces to conduct coordinated operations and address the ongoing ethnic violence and insurgent activity in the region. The MHA's decision follows a comprehensive review of the security situation in Manipur, which continues to be volatile...
The voting under by-polls in six assembly constituencies of Assam and Meghalaya, conducted to fill up the vacant seats (as the respective legislators had shifted their focus to the national politics after winning the recently conducted Lok Sabha polls), ended largely peacefully on Wednesday evening with a satisfactory over 70% voters’ turn out. The fate of all candidates is stored in the electronic voting machines, which will be opened on 23 November next. Along with these seats, by-polls for over 40 assembly constituencies (along with two Lok Sabha seats) in other parts of India are on the card along with the State assembly elections in Maharashtra and Jharkhand before the counting day...
It is with deep sorrow that the Asam Sahitya Sabha UK Chapter announces the passing of its first president, Shri Bhuban Baruah, who breathed his last this morning at Bexleyheath, London (1932 - November 1, 2024). The news has cast a shadow of grief over the UK Chapter and the wider Assamese community. Shri Baruah, who emigrated over five decades ago, was a stalwart Assamese by heart and a knowledgeable yet humble individual. Born in Digboi, he pursued higher education at the University of Calcutta, earning his law degree and later completing his Master’s in Law from Banaras Hindu University with distinction. He worked as the Chief Correspondent for the Shillong Assembly before coming to...
The Assam State Committee of Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Association (ASAWWA) staging a protest in front of the Directorate of the Women and Child Welfare Department in Ujan Bazar, Guwahati on November 4. The protesters demanded the government publish the official notice regarding a proposed salary increase for Anganwadi workers and assistants. The association is advocating for transparency and timely communication regarding the salary adjustments, which are crucial for the livelihood of its members. The protest underscores the ongoing struggles faced by Anganwadi workers in securing fair compensation for their vital contributions to community health and education.
Guwahati, Oct. 29:  A wave of protest swept through Guwahati on Tuesday as concerned citizens gathered at Dighalipukhuri to oppose the felling of numerous ancient trees for the construction of a flyover connecting Noonmati and Dighalipukhuri. Protesters, united under the banner "Save Our Trees, Save Our Heritage," expressed deep concern over the potential environmental impact and loss of the city's natural beauty. They argued that the 200-year-old trees, vital to the ecosystem, act as natural air purifiers, reduce urban heat, and provide a sanctuary for migratory birds. Community leaders and environmental activists have pledged to file a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to halt...
KOKRAJHAR, OCT 28: A significant awareness program was organized on Monday at Jalah Girls’ High School in Baksa district, focusing on child protection mechanisms, human trafficking, and the safety and empowerment of women and children. The initiative was a joint effort by the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), the District Hub for Empowerment of Women (DHEW), the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), and the ICDS project, Jalah, under the Women and Child Development (WCD) department. Dr. Lipika Barman, the District Child Protection Officer of Baksa (in-charge), presided over the event. Kalpana Das, CDPO of the ICDS Project, Jalah, delivered the welcome address, emphasizing the...