S Ghose
Evershine School, Dimapur
One should choose that profession which suits one’s taste, circumstances and temperament best for the prosperity of one’s whole life. For a young man nothing is more difficult than the choice of a profession- a wrong choice mars one’s career while the right choice makes it.
There are various professions which are open to a young man after he has finished his studies. Teaching is one of same. It is a noble profession. Further this profession brings us plenty of leisure in which one can profitably pursue certain hobbies which gives joy in life. But a teacher’s lot is hardly enviable. He is so poorly paid that one finds it hard to live a comfortable life. To join this profession is to embrace a life of voluntary poverty. High earnings and other privileges may lure a young man to choose a particular profession without thinking whether he has the abilities necessary for it. A doctor father may thrust upon his unwilling son the career of a physician, although he is cut out only for the teaching line. The result in such cases cannot but be disastrous. The Bar also is over-crowded. Only very few attain to eminence at the Bar, even after fifteen or twenty years of waiting. The majority of the lawyer who have no other means have either to connect themselves with other pursuits, or live a most unenviable life. However rich a farmer may be, he does not enjoy any status in society.
Journalism is one of the most learned professions of modern times. Journalism constitutes the literary business of publishing and editing newspaper and periodicals. There are also magazines on sports, science, literature and so on. Persons who are engaged in the work of writing for, editing and publishing newspapers and periodicals are called Journalists and their profession is called Journalism. When it is said that newspapers are the moulders of the public opinion, it is generally said about the journalists who work for the newspaper. Actually the newspaper gives us an idea of the great influence exercised by the journalists upon the public mind. Anyone, wishing to adopt journalism as a profession, must have a comprehensive knowledge of the current affairs, vital events and party politics of a country. A journalist would have to study extensively the entire panorama of history, politics, geography, economics and literature. During India’s freedom movement the journalists played a very important role. We still remember the names of journalists like Barhmabandhab Upadhyay, Satyen Majumder, Vivekananda Mukhopadhya with a feeling of admiration. Jack Andreson of America was one of the journalists of international fame.
Journalism is a risky job, no doubt. At times of war, journalist takes great risks in taking his pen against an autocratic government. But it is a charming job too. A reporter is allowed to move anywhere to collect news. He is not barred from entering into any place, whether it is Rahstrapti Bhavan or Parliament House. Editing a newspaper is the most responsible job of journalism. Clarity of thought, proper conception of subjects, cool thinking, razor-sharp intellect, profound understanding, calculating disposition quick as well as an impartial and well-balanced judgement are the essential requisites in journalistic profession. On a journalist rests the great responsibilities. He is entrusted to mobilize and educate public opinion over various national and international issues. A journalist is the custodians and guardian of the freedom of thought and expression. A journalist who resorts to speaking lies, informing in a prejudiced way, writing articles to mislead and misdirect the masses simply in a bid to make profit, is nothing but a sort of gross betrayal of public confidence.
The freedom of the journalists is severely restricted by certain factors now-a-days. The control exercised by the owners of the newspapers or periodicals is responsible for this. The journalists can enjoy their freedom to act according to their own conscience provided the owners are broad-minded and public spirited. Moreover, in govt. papers journalists are bound to support govt. policies and measures.
