The second edition of Bangalore Rani brought together eminent women journalists of Bangalore for a lively evening of conversation, debate and laughter.
Changing Times of Journalism
Ammu Joseph, founder-member of Network of Women in Media, India, as well as Media Watch Bengaluru took us through the changing times of journalism and what it was like to be a female journalist in the 1970s, when she started out, and was passionate about the feminist cause while also needing to acknowledge that at least some of her readers might have other, more conventional housewifely interests!
Home vs. Work
Features writer and freelancer Ruth Dsouza took the home vs. work conversation further by describing how she and her husband, living in a nuclear family, ensure that they both give an equal commitment to their career as well as their home through strong personal discipline. She also talked passionately about the need for women to stand up for themselves in the genre of their choice, and to not give in to intimidation of any kind in the workplace.
Typical Workday of a Journalist
Experienced digital journalist Shrabonti Bagchi took the audience through a typical workday of a journalist. A popular figure in Indian Twitter, she also spoke about the benefits and pitfalls of social media in the life of a journalist. She was especially empathetic about the need to maintain journalistic standards in this era of quick broadcasts and short news cycles and to not give in to easy ‘trend tracking’ writing when the stories behind the trends could be explored instead.
The men present noted that changing patriarchal or chauvinist mindsets is not easy, especially when such views are held by seniors in positions of power, but the situation can and will change over time.
There were many journalists in the audience as well as laypersons keen to hear journalists talk about their own lives for a change. Many of them shared their own experiences and learnings about negotiating gender and patriarchy in the newsroom and outside. The men present noted that changing patriarchal or chauvinist mindsets is not easy, especially when such views are held by seniors in positions of power, but the situation can and will change over time. It led to an interestingly nuanced discussion about the role of journalists, both men and women, in the world of modern media.
With a start this exciting, we can't wait to see what magic the Ranis of Bangalore will bring us in the months ahead!
Also Read: You Are The Star Of Your Own Movie: Miss Malini At Bombaywaali
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