A Response to Free Press Debate

I am posting this opinion in response to Ben Macintyre’s “Mullahs versus the Bloggers”. This article was published on 23 December 2005 in the The Times, U.K. It was written in the context of the Iran Government’s intolerant stand on bloggers. Infact this was a timely attempt by Ben to cover the current scenario of repression of freedom of speech and expression and closing down of free press in Iran. Ben writes:

With almost all Iran’s reformist newspapers closed down and many editors imprisoned, blogs offer an opportunity for dissent, discussion and dissemination of ideas that is not available in any other forum. There is wistful yearning in many Iranian blogs, and a persistent vein of anger: “I keep a weblog so that I can breath in this suffocating air,” writes one blogger. “I write so as not be lost in despair.” Blogs by Muslim women are particularly moving in their bitter portrayal of life behind the veil.

The Iranian State has done its utmost to smother the nascent Iranian blogosphere. In 2003 the Government began to take direct action against bloggers — more than 20 have been arrested, on charges ranging from “morality violations” to insulting leaders of the Islamic Republic. One blogger was sentenced to 14 years in prison for “spying and aiding foreign counter-revolutionaries”; in October, Omid Sheikhan was sentenced to a year’s jail and 124 lashes for a weblog featuring satirical political cartoons.

See: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,1068-1957461,00.html

Iran, may be the major thrust in Ben's article. Free press is a contentious issue in some other countries also and it is a grim fact. According to a recent Press Release of Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF):

In 2005, 63 journalists were killed and more than 1300 were physically attacked or threatened. 807 journalists were arrested and 1006 media outlets were censored. At the dawn of New Year 2006, 126 journalists and 70 cyber dissidents were in jail. Some of countries covered by RSF where Internet is under tight control is Tunisia, Turkeministan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, China, Cuba, Libya, Nepal, North Korea, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, Burma and Maldives.

At the outset I should say that it is a relevant article. Blogging is a fine example of media democratization. It becomes an alternative mode of expression in the absence of a Free Press. It is wise to realize the fact that suppression only leads to more expression and that too in varied forms. In an age when we are exploring the benefits of the extra computing power for harnessing growth and eradicating poverty in the developing countries, it is sad to know of Iran's stand on the issue of blogging. Instead let us focus more on how Internet can be used as a powerful tool of development. To draw from the focus of UN Development Programme and Information and Communications Technology (ICT), ‘[it is widely recognized that] Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a powerful tool for participating in global markets; promoting political accountability; improving the delivery of basic services and [thus] enhancing local development opportunities’. Considering the advancement of newer interventions in information technology, International Organizations like the UNESCO, the ITU, the WTO, WIPO, UNCITRAL, the World Bank and OECD are all considering complex issues affecting freedom of expression and freedom of the press like intellectual property rights and content regulation. The World Summit on the Information Society(WSIS, Geneva 2003- Tunis 2005) provided an opportunity for the international community to reaffirm its commitment to Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Many voices of mankind often result in a policy dialogue and free press is a vital component in the deliberation, dissemination, and discussion of such initiatives. This social, cultural, economic and political dialogue is a feed for the policy makers; the Government. After all the functioning of a free press and the right to freedom of speech and expression is intertwined with development. It strengthens the democratic institutions and UN also affirms that ‘No Democratic Society Can Exist Without A Free Press’. The General Assembly declared an annual observance of World Press Freedom Day (3 May) in 1993, but it affirmed press freedom as far back as 1948, when it proclaimed the right to information in article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. That article enshrines the individual’s right to freedom of opinion and expression and the free flow of information through any media regardless of frontiers. Therefore Freedom of expression is an inalienable human right, and freedom of the press is an indivisible part and a guarantee of other freedoms. As long as the contents covered by the media are not sacrilegious, unethical or improper, freedom of speech and expression should prevail.

Sir William Blackstone in his Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765) writes:

....The liberty of the press is indeed essential to the nature of a free State; but this consists in laying no previous restraints upon publication, and not in freedon from censure for criminal matter when published. Every freeman has undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public; to forbid this is to destroy the freedom of the press: but if he publishes what is improper, mischievous, or illegal, he must take the consequences of his own temerity.

In a comment contributed to the International Herald Tribune, Joseph Stiglitz who is a Nobel laureate in economics and a Professor at Columbia University and Roumeen Islam, a manager at the World Bank Institute state that “Countries [have] to find ways to develop the incentives, policies, education systems, and technical expertise that will allow them to take advantage of the enormous changes brought by the rapid spread of communications and information technologies”.

Therefore is it not a Universal Responsibility of All Nations to return to free press in an age of Internet, Cyberspace, Digital and Satellite technologies?

Reflection of the Day

We all arrived at that time and day in our lives in an age of internet, where in cyberspace is no more meant only for the scientists, technocrats, software engineers or techno geeks. The following quote is in the context of what positive big difference the extra computing power can bring in our lives.

“Poor people don't create poverty. The more we can use the Internet and the power of entrepreneurship to connect villagers to the rest of the world -- the more we can eliminate their sense of isolation -- the sooner they'll be able to work themselves out of poverty.”

-Muhammad Yunus

Muhammad Yunus is Founder and MD, Grameen Bank, http://www.grameen-info.org/ Dhaka, Bangladesh. He pioneered in business models that combine economic growth with social justice.

Bookmark Bacon

Recently I discovered accidentally a rare oeuvre in a voluntary organization’s kiosk in Dilli Haat. Let me be clear of what I am writing about,it is a collection of Essays written by Sir Francis Bacon. The title of the work is “ The Essays of Bacon”, with an introduction by Geoffrey Grigson. Oxford University published the book in 1937, under the theme ‘The World’s Classics’. Bacon’s ‘Essayes’ were first published in 1597 and revised in 1612 and 1625. Without further speculation I bought this book, a circa 1937 publication.

Goonj, the voluntary organization’s stand from where I bought this book assembles and resells books of all varieties in order to raise funds to support deprived people. In a way it is a small effort to buy what I need and in turn contribute for a noble cause.

Now I have in my study something that I feel is a rare and a treasured possession.

P.S: Visit www.goonj.org to know more about the organization and its efforts in reaching out to the poor and needy. Goonj is an effective channel for disposing off reusable items lying in urban, well-off households.

Perfect Vignette

On a personal level I am an admirer of works of the English poet Lord Byron.

Some of his select poetry like ‘By the Rivers of Babylon We Sat Down and Wept’, ‘Darkness’ is really enchanting. Though I do not have the stature to comment or review his works, but I believe what matters is whether we enjoy the reading or not. And truly he is one of the great romantic poets.

It is the news item titled ‘Byron Manuscript Found’ on the online edition of New York Times that made me to remember him now. The only known manuscript of a 12-line poem by Lord Byron, dated April 12, 1812, speaking of friendship and memory and beginning, "Absent or present still to thee." It was found during a routine cataloguing at University College, London. This was found inside an 1810 edition of "The Pleasures of Memory" by Samuel Rogers, a patron of the arts and minor poet who entertained writers, artists, actors and politicians in his salon.

Is it not a perfect Vignette?

On Being More Happy

Let me share this interesting weblog.

'Happiness and Public Policy' http://happinesspolicy.com

It provides an interesting insight into the 'History of Happiness' and the policy implications. There is no better way than to start 2006 on a 'Happy' note.

'Happy' reading.

Hamara Bajaj: A Fine Living Essential

‘Bajaj Slams brakes on Chetak’ caught my attention when I was reading today’s morning newspaper. Bajaj Auto is finally phasing out the scooter that is undoubtedly an icon of new India, which made a place for itself in Indian households, since its introduction in the early seventies as ‘A Fine Living Essential’. In retrospect, I remember Bajaj Chetak as a strong, reliable vehicle for the entire family. As a teenager how can I forget the joyrides on Chetak and also those profound, formative years when dad used to take me for my high school and senior secondary board exams on his Chetak. For us personally our scooter was a part of order and routine. Mom and dad used to drive to work and back on our scooter, this was the case for several years.

Also how can we forget the ‘Hamara Bajaj’ ad campaign that was stuffed with patriotism and created magic for several years? The phenomenal success of this ad campaign and Chetak scooter led other market players to introduce newer models and versions in competition to Chetak. However Chetak has been emotionally close to people and there were times when customers had to wait for over a year before they were blessed to get their first scooter.

It is beautiful now if we look back how Chetak served the nation for many decades. India’s little pride will now go into history as a symbol of Bajaj’s monopolistic past.

Come March, it will be a drive into the sunset for Chetak.

But, let us not forget how it all began….

PS (23 Aug 2009): My friend Kiran directed me to this lovely 'Hamara Bajaj' ad on youtube. Revisiting old times is always delightful.Enjoy the ad. Thank you Kiran!

Temporum Felicitas II

A quick sequel to my previous posting.

In response to Temporum Felicitas, a Latin phrase which means 'happiness of the times', Moulika sent a message, which ignited my thoughts to write further on this topic. It is a plain inquiry into the pursuit of ‘happiness’, a word otherwise commonly used with the word ‘Paradise’. Perhaps this is due to the basic reason that the sense of these two words is not different in context. The idea and the substance of the circumstances are derived from simple, yet valuable impressions like the subtleties of human nature- compassion, love and tenderness. In this regard, let me take an inscription from Bertrand Russell’s treatise “ The Conquest of Happiness” (1930), he says:

“……….we modern people are open to the following addictive cycle: satiation leading to boredom leading to easy but superficial titillation leading back to satiation. Nothing in this cycle leads to real happiness, but it is difficult to break out of.”

Further in his “Autobiography”, he writes:

“ When you tell people that happiness is a simple matter, they get annoyed with you”.

It is a simple but an interesting insight. Let me share in brief the text of the message sent by Moulika.

“Paradise…. What does this word mean? I asked myself. Does this mean heaven, place you love, where your family is, where your friends are, a hill station…I went on defining and finally decided on ‘Paradise is Where I Live’….”.

For more read her blog ‘Butterflies’

Temporum Felicitas

Happy New Year Everyone!

So another year passes by and we usher into a new year. How can there be a new year without some new resolutions!

My resolution is to ‘Live with Discipline’ and engage in more writing. But it is also equally important not to sacrifice or give up happiness for achievement. So, my mantra is to welcome every step and every incident with more ecstasy. My wife, good friend and fellow blogger- Moulika shares the same enthusiasm and added to my life so much interest and happiness. Of course the arrival of little Brinda into this beautiful world only heightened our happiness with greater intensity.

I also pray that the anti-humanist tirade should diminish. Year after year there have been many ugly, gory incidents taking place resulting in violations of human rights and for all good reasons this has to end.

With cordial greetings and wishes I end this blog with Shelley’s poem ‘On Future’, cited by Bertrand Russell in his ‘Autobiography'.

O cease! must hate and death return?
Cease! must men kill and die ?
Cease! drain not to its dregs the urn
Of bitter prophecy.
The world is weary of the past,
O might it die or rest at last!

P.S: This is to those who believe that wise thinking still exists for a life of passion, purpose and above all peace.