This is what I hear in majority of journo whatsapp groups - Gosh we are suffering in #WestBengal. There have been no jobs. But no, we don't want outsiders. Seriously?!
I've been in media for 30 years and in my 22 years as a journalist in Mumbai, this is what I saw -

Thread
Majority of editors in print and TV were Bongs. And they were clear in hiring more Bongs - colleagues, families and even current and former girlfriends. Such was the trend that we joked that the official language in Times, DNA would be Bengali. The strategy was effective
#Mumbai and #Maharashtra embraced them. So did Benguluru and Delhi. No one said 'outsider'
When majority of deskies for DNA Mumbai launch landed from Kolkata, we worked together to ensure they understood #Maharashtra politics. We were a team. Vada paav was shared. It was fun
Every media student who seeks admission from Bengal in Mumbai, Pune tells a horror story of poor growth and jobs. No one ever wants to go back.
But now, when Bengal is on the verge of change, the same people who embraced this lot are 'outsiders'
It is despicable beyond words
The 'outsider' debate is kicked off by same editors who have plush houses in Mumbai and Delhi with their entire extended families living a cushy life. Imagine if Balasaheb Thackeray had called them outsiders, throwning them out? The same lot would have screamed fascism!
I was always the outsider in these Bong media groups. They claimed intellectual superiority over glasses of whiskey at the press club. I'm proud the way my city, state embraced them as their own. But they are failing all of us in return.
Exactly what I expected. Sigh

• • •

Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to force a refresh
 

Keep Current with Smita Deshmukh

Smita Deshmukh Profile picture

Stay in touch and get notified when new unrolls are available from this author!

Read all threads

This Thread may be Removed Anytime!

PDF

Twitter may remove this content at anytime! Save it as PDF for later use!

Try unrolling a thread yourself!

how to unroll video
  1. Follow @ThreadReaderApp to mention us!

  2. From a Twitter thread mention us with a keyword "unroll"
@threadreaderapp unroll

Practice here first or read more on our help page!

More from @smitadeshmukh

24 Apr
#Maharashtra's principal health secretary Dr Pradeep Vyas has been under fire by no less than 21 ministers in #BestCM cabinet. His refusal to act fast on key issues like building oxygen plants, remdesevir procurement is causing unprecedented crisis
facebook.com/mymahanagar/vi…
Holding crucial post since 2017, Vyas is accused of negative, time-consuming approach at work. Despite complaints, #BestCM has refused to remove him, while shuffling many IAS officers, raising eyebrows. Many ministers are openly calling Vyas - the villain of #COVID19 crisis
Bhandara, Bhandup, Nasik, Vasai-Virar - the deaths in the state are on rise. Angry ministers want the #BestCM favourite out. 'Is Vyas kept to merely count dead bodies?' says a senior minister.
Read 4 tweets
27 Nov 20
Every time I meet journalists (former colleagues) the conversation jumps to - 'India needs a strong opposition' and is a moral obligation for all of us to strengthen the Congress.
Seriously, why should journos take on this task? How does it fit in their work profile?
Did we take on this task when the BJP was down to two MPs in the Parliament? Was it important for all of us to pitch in to strengthen the BJP? Was it a national obligation?
NO
They worked hard. Learned from their mistakes,build a cadre and are back in power. Modi is not ABV
I recall two leading women journos having tears in their eyes when Pawar had left Maharashtra for Centre. What will happen to our state? One asked me. I remember laughing then. Losing perspective is fine. But crony journalism sucks. Wake up, at least now
Read 4 tweets
16 Sep 20
Saying it again - #Bollywood is all worked up because it cannot control the narrative anymore. Journos covering tinsel town know all dark secrets but cannot write thanks to massive business their org get from movies. This fixed match was broken by social media and @republic
Editors, journos covering Bollywood ask soft questions to keep stars happy for getting access and ensure they come for their award shows. That's the main job. Majority of magazine covers are paid. You think these guys would even dare to expose inside stories? Nope
Did anyone even question SRK on his business partners link with ISI? Was there an Aamir interview on why he met Turkey's first lady in these times? Has Mahesh Bhatt being ever grilled on his dubious role defending terror? No. Journos are being used to kill these stories.
Read 6 tweets
13 Sep 20
According to compounder fav @rautsanjay61 #Mumbai is all because #Thackeray and #Pawar brand!
What an insult to the hard-working, inclusive and entrepreneurship spirit of the financial capital of India. Mumbaikars go through hardships 2 make two ends meet as corruption rules
One political dynasty has ruled richest civic corporation in India for 3 decades, cartel of builders, contractors have ruled. Thackeray's became rich, city got ruined. Gen Next is already here, shutting people down for dissent.That's the brand ideology. FAMILY rule.
Brand Pawar is power in every sector - real estate, land, agri, cricket thanks to IAS lobby and supportive media. Every family member is sitting on crores. Dissent has no place, only ambition rules. Gen Next has been pushed. Power at any cost. That's the ideology
Read 5 tweets
21 Jul 20
I have not written on Bollywood but as former city editor of Bombay Times (pre paid news era) here's my two paisa take on #SSR death and #KanganaRanawat interview.
1: Bollywood is about groups. Journos HAVE to be in these groups, do interviews, get stars for award shows
2: Movies have massive promotion budgets. Too much money rides on big launches. You cannot be on wrong side
3: There is NO journalism. Marketing guys don't like bad reviews. Happy interviews
4: Mid level actor can get a journo sacked for damaging story. Seen it twice
The circle is now facing biggest backlash and their only defence is - #KanganaRanawat is crazy. Mad. Revengeful. Can't be trusted. Senior editors have been speaking in private this way.'No one is responding, becoz not worth it' is the defence on silence of the biggies. Smart move
Read 4 tweets
11 Jun 20
Sixer!
Translation - I went to Baramati but was unable to see the sea there! In order to become a BCCI chief, you don't have to be a coach to Tendulkar or Gavaskar. Sharad Pawar is of my father's age. Had my father been alive, he could have been of the same age. 1/2
Every father feels that his son understands less than him even if he makes significant progress. So he must have spoken in that spirit. But I feel that he is trying to target the Bandra Senior and Baramati Junior by keeping the gun on my shoulder and asking them to do something
Read 4 tweets

Did Thread Reader help you today?

Support us! We are indie developers!


This site is made by just two indie developers on a laptop doing marketing, support and development! Read more about the story.

Become a Premium Member ($3/month or $30/year) and get exclusive features!

Become Premium

Too expensive? Make a small donation by buying us coffee ($5) or help with server cost ($10)

Donate via Paypal Become our Patreon

Thank you for your support!

Follow Us on Twitter!