Issue II, December 2010
BY-
THE NEWS TRACK GROUP
(Volunteer Initiative of CRY- Kolkata)
COMPILED BY-
Abhishek Chowdhury (CRY Volunteer)
DRAFTING & LAYOUT BY-
Ansuman Bhattacharjee (CRY Volunteer)
Abhishek Chowdhury (CRY Volunteer)
Children in Print MediaChildren in Print MediaChildren in Print MediaChildren in Print Media A Quarterly CompilationA Quarterly CompilationA Quarterly CompilationA Quarterly Compilation
2
CONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTSCONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE NO.
� Preface 3
� The News track Group 4
� Methodology 5
� Findings & Analysis
• The Hindustan Times 6
• The Times of India 16
• The Telegraph 24
• Anandabazar Patrika 32
� Observations 36
3
PREFACEPREFACEPREFACEPREFACE United Nations had introduced Convention on the Rights of The Child (UNCRC) in the
year 1989. Indian Government ratified it in the year 1992. 18 years hence and 63 yrs after
independence India has the largest population of children (over 400 million) in the world,
which is about 40% of our population. But the condition of the major portion of this
population is a cause of great concern for our country. Children are quite naturally the
foundation and face of our nation. They being more vulnerable as they are dependent on
others for their nourishment, protection and development, we as a nation and its citizens
should take utmost care so that they can have a safe and memorable childhood. India on
the verge of winning a permanent seat in UN’s Security Council and touted as one of the
fastest growing economies of this century must wake up to this fact and take up
efficacious steps to ameliorate their condition.
Media’s impact on our society is immeasurable and its potential to spread awareness
among the masses is unquestionable. Media especially print media’s reach throughout our
country is so vast that if this potential is utilized properly in spreading awareness about
child rights, it can bring about a sea change in the lives of millions of children in our
country. The media can also make sure the authorities and government of our country
take responsible decisions about children and push towards their proper implementation.
The media can instill in the minds of our countrymen the importance of child rights and
importance of proper treatment of children which is one of the main objectives of CRY.
Though media’ role is impregnable towards achieving our goal, we should make sure that
children’s rights figures prominently in mainstream media and though it might feature,
we must keep a track on the content and nature of their contribution. Children related
news is generally in the context of child abuse, exploitation and sensational news. They
are generally seen and heard at a distance, reflecting a weakness that resonates through
any discussion on media and rights of children that young people are seldom allowed to
speak for themselves. Media must not just report fairly, honestly and accurately on the
experience of childhood, but they must also provide space for colorful and creative
opinion of children themselves.
That is why we as CRY volunteers have started a NEWSTRACK GROUP to track and
analyze the news articles coming out in print media. We have already had our first
compilation for the month of January to March which helped us a lot in getting insights
into how children related incidents are dealt with and how seriously they are looked after
in that particular phase. As we have been tracking for about a year and this is our group’s
second compilation. We look forward to whatever little help this may be to the cause and
strive towards our endeavor to make this world a better place for children and present
every one of them with a childhood that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
4
THE THE THE THE NEWSTRACK GROUPNEWSTRACK GROUPNEWSTRACK GROUPNEWSTRACK GROUP
The group referred to as news track group comprises of-:
CRY coordinator -Anupama Muhuri
Name Newspaper Tracked
Abhishek Chowdhury Hindustan Times
Ansuman Bhattacharya The Times Of India
Saptaparna Bhattacharyya The Telegraph
Sourav Guha Anandabazar Patrika
• Our Newstrack group has swelled in the last couple of months with more
volunteers joining this group. We are looking forward to contribute more for this
cause as a group.
• Sourav Guha being out of station for the phase July-Sept could not contribute in
this particular phase for Anandabazar Patrika.
5
METHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGYMETHODOLOGY
The four members from our group took in one daily newspaper into consideration. All the
news that was related to children directly or was children centric was tracked. Every
article that appeared in this domain was introspected from different perspectives and an
excel sheet was maintained to put in these views. Different parameters in the excel sheet
were “Role of the state”, ”Voice of Children Reflected”, “Confidentiality”, “ Presentation
of facts & figures”, “Portrayal of the community”, “Right based alternative”, etc. Various
trends were observed over time & we have decided to come up with the update of the
latest trends in print media in Kolkata for the phase: April- September 2010
Regular data entry was done in the uniform format and analysis done based on parameter
definitions and face to face discussions
This particular compilation is the second issue.
6
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
1) Right to Education Bill has been in the news as it has come into effect from 1st
April 2010. News items related to concerns about RTE from different
organizations such as madrasas, pathshalas and private schools has been
reported.
2) News articles related to Corporal Punishment has been reported heavily.
3) News articles related to malnourishment and Right to Food campaign by
Hindustan Times is commendable.
4) As has been the case earlier news has been sensationalized quite often.
• News articles related to accidents and crimes such as kidnappings and
murder have been reported.
Profile on the nature of coverage
Total number of news article tracked – 64
Very few of the news covered has been an editorial or opinion. Most of them have been
reportages. Voice of children in the news items could have been much better represented.
Out of the 64 news items tracked in this phase
• 3 of them have been an Edit.
• 5 have been Features.
• 1 had been an Opinion.
Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: HINDUSTAN TIMES
Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: April, 2010 to June, 2010
Tracked By: Tracked By: Tracked By: Tracked By: Abhishek Chowdhury
7
Reportages
Features
Edits
Opinions
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
Out of the 64 items tracked 6 are large and all of the others are medium and small.
While child issues making the front page are few but whatever news articles which made
the front pages have mostly been incident based rather than issue based. The Rouvanjit
suicide case had very often made headlines in this tenure and another important issue
which made it to the first page headlines was “Maoist raising a teen army”.
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
The language used by the reporters is always very respectful and many times they are
found to be sensitive to the issues related to child rights. But there have been numerous
occasions when the incidents have just been reported, without in depth analysis and going
to the root of the problems faced by children.
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State
• The number of articles recognizing the role of state and critically looking at states
responsibilities has risen compared to previous phase. The cases reported of
malnutrition in MP, UP and Bihar and deaths due to it has been extensively
covered in Hindustan Times Right to Food campaign.
• Also the issue of Corporal Punishment and the State Government’s handling of it
had been hugely covered though the Rouvanjit’s suicide case has in a long way
acted as a catalyst in this case.
8
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are captured
Yes children’s opinion and voice has been captured in quite a few articles but it could be
much more and it can be captured in a much better way.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
Total Role Of State Voice of
Children
Hindustan Times
How well researched/ mention of sources there in the coverage(s)
In most cases the sources has been mentioned and mostly the sources have been Police,
Schools, Government and hospitals.
Some of the well researched articles that have been tracked in this phase are -:
1) “School bell rings for every kid” Date 2nd
April 2010.
2) “Hardly a class act” Date 4th
April 2010.
3) “Storm dealt deadliest blow to children” Date 26th
May 2010.
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
1) “Storm dealt deadliest blow to children” Date 26th
May 2010.
2) “Teen in police net for maoist links” Date 10th
May 2010
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase
Title -- “School bell rings for every kid”.
Date – 2nd
April 2010
9
Abstract -- Education now becomes a fundamental right with the RTE passed in
Parliament.
Title -- “Children in Village eat mud”.
Date – 5th
April 2010
Abstract – Its high time that the government do something worthwhile regarding food
bill
Title -- “Hot rod horror for hungry children”.
Date – 20th
April 2010
Abstract – A barbaric act of punishing children looking for food.
Title --“Storm dealt deadliest blow to children”.
Date -- 26th
May 2010
Abstract – Aila affected children drop out of schools looking for jobs outside WB.
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
Mou Chakraborty & Tasmayee Laha Roy.
Compared to others, the above mentioned journalists seem to be more consistent with
children and child right’s related news.
Concluding Remarks
Rights based news have been on the rise compared to the last phase due to news articles
related to RTE, Corporal Punishment and Right to Food campaign by HT. Though the
numbers of edits have been less. Bigger events which took place in this phase sidelined
child related news.
10
A short write up
Date -- 26
th May 2010
“Storm dealt deadliest blow to children”.
The news related to the children in the Aila affected region was very depressing to say
the least. In that article it has been clearly pointed out due to the large scale devastation
caused by the tornado and inability on the side of the administrators life has not come to
normalcy till now after so many days. With the most affected among them being the
children of those areas. As most of them had to leave school to earn their living. Most of
the boys are going to other states in search of work and sometimes girls also looking for
employment in other states as their parents are unable to provide them with food. One of
the most alarming thing which might result from this is trafficking.
Date – 5th
April 2010
“Children in Village eat mud”.
Date – 20th
April
“Hot rod horror for hungry children”.
One of the most important issues that have been raised by HT is widespread malnutrition
in our country in their excellent campaign of Right To Food. Related to this campaign
there have been two articles which has been comprehensively covered. One of the news
that was covered was of children given mud to eat in the villages of MP and UP due to
scarcity of food and another quite ghastly and barbaric act of children being punished by
hot rods when they ask for food. In the 21st century and in a country like India incidents
like these are not only shameful but also unforgivable. The administrators should instant
steps against the perpetrators.
11
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
1) News related to KMC schools and madrasas to be upgraded and improvement of
infrastructure and up gradation.
2) Corporal punishment news was reported in abundance especially after the
Rouvanjit Rawla case was splashed in the last quarter. Though news related to
Rouvanjit and La Marts were also present in this quarter.
3) Right to education bill news, related to the amendments taking place to
incorporate majority of children.
• Individual incidents such as accidents, abuses and a few cases of
kidnappings were also reported.
Profile on the nature of coverage: number and proportion of edit news/
reportage/ opinion
• Total number of news article tracked - 80
• Reportages, as have been the case throughout, were major part of the articles. But
one of the things that was clearly noticeable was the number of features, opinions
or edits has dwindled in this tenure compared to previous quarters.
• Among the 80 articles tracked reportages-75, edits-2, feature-2, opinion-2.
Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Hindustan Times
Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: July,2010 to September,2010
Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Abhishek Chowdhury
12
Types Of Coverage
Reportages
Features
Edits
Opinions
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
• The news articles that have been tracked have been mostly found in the Nation
section or the HT Live section.
• Most of the news articles in the Nation section were the news related to RTE and
its amendments. There were also articles related to condition education and
children in Kashmir. There were also articles related to Right to Food Campaign
of HT.
• The news items which appeared in HT Live were related to our state. The quality
of education in our state. Corporal punishment and child abuse cases were also
reported in this section.
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
• Language used in all the articles has been Always Respectful towards them.
• As mostly the news items reported have been reportages the root cause and right
based alternative is not found in most of the cases.
• Continuity in coverage is found in a few of the cases.
• The reporters have mostly been sensitive about the children’s issues.
• Most of the times facts and figures have been clearly stated out. More so in case
of the edits opinions or features.
• Right based news have been on the rise compared to previous quarters
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State
• There have been 19 articles which covers the role of state. Some of them quite
scathing in their attack against the state or the central government and a few of
them have also appreciated their positive moves.
13
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are
• Coverages tracked by me rarely captured the voice of the children directly though
in most of the cases they seem to be sensitive in their cause and seems to
represent them.
• There should be more number of articles which captures voice of children and
their opinion must get more weight age in future.
• In many cases it is not applicable as in cases of individual news there isn’t much
scope to present children’s opinion.
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Total Role Of
State
Voice Of
Children
Hindustan Times
Facts and figures stated in the articles
• Facts and figures are almost stated everywhere as required.
• Edits, Opinions and Featured articles are well backed by facts and figures.
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
• In this phase there have been a few articles which showed the newly elected KMC
officials were interested in upgrading the state of municipality schools in our city.
We should keep a track on their actions and push them towards taking their stated
steps.
• There has also been an article where the State Government is looking forward to
make madrasa education upto class VIII free. This would help about 4 Lakh
madrasa students. We should see it is implemented properly and soon.
• As reported cases of Corporal Punishment have risen a lot and the Government is
also trying to bring out a law to intervene directly in cases of Corporal
Punishment. We should look forward to end this menace altogether by being more
vigilant and active in these cases.
14
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase
Title – “Re 1 per hr; Kids fuel Bt Cotton boom.”
Date -- 20th
July 2010
Abstract – “Children paid Re 1 pr hr to work in Bt cotton fields.”
Title – “Education Department setting rules for direct intervention.”
Date -- 28th
July 2010
Abstract –New rules empowering Dept to act without complaint in cases of Corporal
Punishment.
Title --“Start A Hungama.”
Date -- 23th August 2010
Abstract -- MP has the most number of malnourished children followed by UP and
Bihar.
Title -- “Bringing Special Children On Par.”
Date – 28th
Sept 2010
Abstract -- Psychological society of Loreto College organizes dance & music for special
children.
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
• Most of the news were reported by Correspondents
• There have been a host of writers who have taken up children related issues but
amongst them Tasmayee Laha Roy had been a name which had featured from the
last couple of quarters.
• Charu Sudan Kasturi had been found to be active in this quarter along.
Concluding Remarks
• Right based news was more compared to previous quarters.
• Most of the news articles were individual events such as accidents etc where the
government doesn’t have much role to play
• Time to time some good surveys are featured.
• Sufficient amount of coverage is done on West Bengal specific news
15
A short write up
Driver drugs rapes employer's children
18/9/2010
The article which appeared under this title was in my opinion the most disturbing article I
have come across in the span I have been tracking news. In this case a driver had drugged
his employer’s children with cocaine for a long time and not only sexually abused them
but also forced them into it amongst themselves. He also threatened to kill their mother if
they in any way thought of complaining to anybody. This case is one of the most heinous
crimes and this incident has permanently damaged the lives of the children concerned.
This man must get the most rigorous punishment possible in the court of law.
16
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
1. Right to education
2. Suicide case of Rouvanjit Rawla
3. Corporal punishment
• Besides there were individual incidents like accident, abuses reported
• Kids and teens lured towards Maoist groups was reported in a couple of articles
• 5-6 cases of abduction and kidnapping were reported
Profile on the nature of coverage: number and proportion of edit news/
reportage/ opinion
• Total number of news article tracked - 65
• Reportage was predominant(60), followed by feature (3), there was just one
Edit and one opinion
Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: The Times of India
Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: April, 2010 to June, 2010
Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Ansuman Bhattacharjee
17
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
• Feature news involving statistical data from various reports and research were big
in size and mostly made it to the top
• Individual events like accidents were reported in small columns or metro digest at
the bottom
• Most predominantly medium size(34); small & big were around the same
proportion
• Uniformly distributed across the page, in top, bottom, left & right sides
• Extremely sensitive cases and certain shocking feature news made it to the 1st
page
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
• Always respectful language is used for children
• Root cause is identified in most of the coverages
• Stakeholders voice is also captured almost always
• Continuity in coverage is their in case of sensitive news that has caught up a
storm with the people
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State
• 29 coverages tracked by me recognized the role of the state, which either the
reader can infer or is clearly mentioned in the article
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are captured
• Voice of the children was not captured in any of the articles, in many cases it is
not applicable as in cases of individual events and feature news there isn’t much
scope to present children’s opinion. At least 5 news articles required voice of
children to be covered
18
How well researched/ mention of sources there in the coverage(s):
• Feature news articles are well researched and sources are mentioned.
• But for reportage news sources are not always mentioned and many a times it is
not at all clear.
Locals, Police and hospitals are the sources of most of the articles
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
Not much specific to any particular domain of child right issues were focused, though all
the aspects got sufficient attention. In the wake of Rouvanjit’s suicide case a panel has
been set up by the west Bengal government to look into corporal punishment incidents in
various schools, but owing to the large number of schools in West Bengal and especially
the ones in the rural areas. and also owing to the large number of news related to corporal
punishment coming up after the case was highlighted I think cry volunteers should act as
a pressure group on the panel, notice and survey the schools in rural areas and bring up
the incidents to their view and punish the perpetrators so as to curb this menace.
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase
Title RED CORRIDOR KIDS SWELL REBEL RANKS
Abstract Deprived of basic necessities, kids lured into Maoism
Title NOW CITIZENS TO AUDIT GOVT WELFARE SCHEMES
Abstract citizens to audit midday meals, anganwadi workers and other welfare schemes
Title SCHOOL KIDS GET STUCK ON GLUE ADDICTION
Abstract children of elite schools addicted to glue along with street kids
Title NO RESPITE FOR CHILD LABOURS
Abstract audit shows child labor rampant because of poor implication of laws
Title 2 BABIES DEAD AFTER VACCINATION
Abstract 2 babies die, 3 hospitalized after vaccination from health dept
Title 12 CRORE KIDS MAY NOT GET MID DAY MEAL
Abstract lack of fund and food grain, 12 crore kids not to get midday meal from July
19
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
• Most of the news were reported by TIMES NEWS NETWORK
• Akshaya mukul was again very prominent in this phase
Concluding Remarks
• Respectful language is used to depict children.
• Feature news is backed with sufficient statistical data, though in this phase there
are not as many as earlier.
• Right based news very sparsely covered, most of them are individual events such
as accidents etc where the government doesn’t have much role to play.
• Continuity is there where required
A short write up Title 1 PEOPLE 2 WORLD:MAO N MICROSOFT
Abstract Big schools and aspirational students side by tribal kids who have not seen
schools in Maoist region
Title RED CORRIDOR KIDS SWELL REBEL RANKS
Abstract Deprived of basic necessities, kids lured into Maoism
A lot has been said about Maoist and their menace, about the dreadful deeds and the ones
the government is doing to curb it .But very little is talked about the people who are
suffering collateral damage from both the sides. The condition of the kids in these regions
deprived of education, food and other absolute necessities resemble the kids, the one in
search of blood diamond in South Africa. Instead of trotting to schools and being under
the protective shade of their parents, these children are sporting guns, not with the ones
we used to play in our childhood days, but the ones that can kill. That can kill humans,
humanity and the prospects of being a productive, responsible citizen of this country, and
most importantly to be a man and not an animal
20
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
1. Corporal punishment news articles were reported in abundance especially
after the Rouvanjit Rawla case got highlighted in the last quarter.
2. Right to education and its various amendments.
• Kids affected by the unrest in Kashmir made some headlines.
• Cases of accidents, individual cases of abuses etc made up the majority of
news.
Profile on the nature of coverage: number and proportion of edit news/
reportage/ opinion
• Total number of news article tracked - 50
• Reportage was predominant(41),followed by feature (6),then news(3)
Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: The Times of India
Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: July, 2010 to September, 2010
Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Ansuman Bhattacharjee
21
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
• The news articles usually featured in either the Times City(Kolkata and west
Bengal section) or the Times Nation section
• News articles in the Times nation section were predominantly on Right to
education, various surveys in children welfare and issues like Maoism
• News articles in the Times city were highlighting individual cases of accidents
and abuses
• Around nine articles appeared right on the first page on top, significantly
highlighting the news, and most of these were on Corporal Punishment
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
• Always Respectful language is used for children
• Root cause is identified in most of the coverages
• Continuity in coverage is their in case of sensitive news that has caught up a
storm with the people
• In many of the places role of the citizen has been sighted
• Facts and figures are clearly stated out
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State
• 20 coverages tracked by me recognized the role of the state, which either the
reader can infer or is clearly mentioned in the article
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are
• 5 coverages tracked by me captured the voice of the children
• In many cases it is not applicable as in cases of individual events and feature news
there isn’t much scope to present children’s opinion.
22
Facts and figures stated in the articles
• Featured articles and surveys are very well backed by facts and figures.
• Facts and figures are almost stated everywhere required
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
• In this particular phase there was an abrupt rise in the cases of individual incidents
of accidents and abuses in West Bengal, and specific issues of children like child
labor, malnourishment were undermined so nothing specific can be suggested
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase (minimum of five such)
Title- JATS SEEK 15 AS MARRIAGE AGE FOR GIRLS
Abstract- Reduction of marriageable age to 15 and 17 pleaded by jat mahasabha
Title- RTE LIKELY TO BE WATERED DOWN
Abstract- Revisions in RTE, private schools to screen 75% of kids
Title- CHILD ABUSE BILL BARS KIDS AS DOMESTIC LABOURS
Abstract- The prevention of child bill 2009,will bring all forms of exploitation of child
including as domestic labors under it
Title- MOTHER FAILS TO PAY, CLINIC SENDS NEWBORN TO NGO
Abstract- Mother fails to pay maternity fees, clinic sends newborn to NGO, owner of
clinic arrested
Title- HOW A 15 YEAR OLD VENDOR BECAME A DEAD MAOIST
Abstract- Common people and kids falling prey to CRPF bullets intended at Maoists
23
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
• Most of the news were reported by TIMES NEWS NETWORK
• A host of writers were seen writing on children issues some of them were Subhro
Maitra, Himanshu Dhawan, Dhananjay Mahapatra, Somdatta Basu, but none of
them were proactive in this regard
Concluding Remarks
• Right based news very sparsely covered, most of them are individual events such
as accidents etc where the government doesn’t have much role to play
• Time to time some good surveys are featured that are eye openers
• Sufficient amount of coverage is done on West Bengal specific news
A short write up
Title- JATS SEEK 15 AS MARRIAGE AGE FOR GIRLS
Abstract- Reduction of marriageable age of girls and boys to 15 & 17 pleaded by the jat
sabha
I believe childhood is perhaps the only time in our lives when we are not bound by any
responsibilities, there is unadultered fun, love, care and all that, that is needed for proper
development of a person and a personality. It’s a time to dream big and though may be
unrealistic later try and achieve them, cluttering these very essence of life by imposing
strong family relationship and responsibilities in the form of marriage are in no way a
welcome move. Also as medical sciences have proved, though girls can conceive from
the age of 13, its no way safe to conceive before 18. So keeping all these points in mind, I
would seriously hope such developments never take place that kill the basic instincts of
childhood
24
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
The themes or aspects those were highlighted in this phase are-:
1. Accident related articles
2. Incidents related to Corporal punishment
3. Right to Education Act
4. Education/schools related
5. Abuse/Exploitation of children
6. Suicide cases by students
Profile on the nature of coverage: number and proportion of edit news/
reportage/ opinion
I have tracked about 25 news articles in this phase out of which the types of articles that
have been tracked are Reportages - 10, Features – 8, Edits – 1, Opinions - 3,
News - 3.
Reportages
Features
Opinions
News
Edits
Name of the NewspaperName of the NewspaperName of the NewspaperName of the Newspaper:::: The Telegraph, Kolkata.
Tracking period:Tracking period:Tracking period:Tracking period: April, 2010 to June, 2010
Tracked By: Tracked By: Tracked By: Tracked By: Saptaparna Bhattacharya
25
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
1. Mostly covered in Bengal (state related cases)
2. 1st April, the day RTE was implemented, saw few front page news
3. A few of the child right’s related articles were found in the Nation section.
4. In Metro section all the articles related to West Bengal and Kolkata.
• Approximately 300-450 words reports. Few reports , with just 100-150 words,
And couple of half page reports on Ravanjit Rawla case (Metro)
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
• Overall, most coverages did not use any objectionable language for children.
• Children’s voice not given enough importance in most reports.
• News coverage involving children concentrated more on corporal punishment
after Rouvanjit Rawla case. 9th
, 14th
, 15th
, 16th
, 17th
, 25th and
30th
June saw
various news/repots/features related to this case
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State
• Even when the role of the state was recognized in few cases, fewer news articles
could be seen which actually questioned and grilled the Govt. on its responsibility
towards the social issues.
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are captured
• The issues are covered but very rarely do we get to see the children’s views, their
opinions or them being quoted.
0
5
10
15
20
25
Total Role of State Voice of children
Telegraph
26
How well researched/ mention of sources there in the coverage(s)
• The Features and Editorial pieces look to be well researched, the reportages or
news pieces try and give as much information they can in 150-200 words.
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
• Students/teen suicides
• Trained teacher shortage in rural schools
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase
Link -- http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100610/jsp/calcutta/story_12547522.jsp
Abstract -- A detailed report on the most talked and written about local news in the
months of May-June’10, the Rouvanjit Rawla case. This report gives a complete
coverage of the issue.
Link -- www.telegraphindia.com/1100622/jsp/.../story_12592357.jsp
Abstract -- This report presents the other side of corporal punishment, how right or
wrong are the teachers to reprimand students who are indiscipline or play pranks. This
was presented in a letters format, where parents supported the teachers reprimanding
indiscipline students.
Link -- http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100622/jsp/frontpage/story_12592357.jsp
Abstract -- Devika Rotwan, the girl who helped the judiciary to nail Ajmal Kasab, by
identifying and testifying against him in courts, is refused admission in a private school
that does not want to risk trouble by admitting a 26/11 victim
Link -- http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100611/jsp/bengal/story_12552970.jsp
Abstract – A girl from a village in Murshidabad, fights with the family, who want to get
married her off, to continue her studies, with the help from police. A positive story,
inspirational, and shows the stake holders in positive light.
Link -- http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100608/jsp/calcutta/story_12400101.jsp
Abstract -- The ground reality of inclusive education, how willing are the schools to
admit children with disabilities and give them an opportunity to learn and grow. A group
from CRY undertakes a study to reveal the state of affairs in inclusive education
27
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
• Charu Sudan Kasturi
• Jhinuk Majumdar
• Chandreyee Chatterjee
• Sukanta Chaudhuri (guest editor)
Concluding Remarks
• RTE has come into effect in this tenure though there are question marks over its
proper implementation.
• Corporal punishment incidents reported very highly including the much
publicized Rouvanjit Rawla case.
A short write up With the implementation of Right to education Act one expects that the education system
of the country will see a complete revamp, but in actuality, regular news reports on
corporal punishment, lack of trained teachers in rural schools, irregularity in admission
procedure, makes one wonder what would it really take to give to the coming generations
of children a hope and a dream for a better future.
The Act implemented on the 1st of April, saw a lot of coverage from all publishing
houses, one hopes, they would again act as the conscience of the society and question the
stakeholders regularly so that the Act touches the life of each and every child of this
country.
28
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
The aspects related to children that were highlighted during this phase-:
1. Corporal punishment
2. Crimes committed against children
3. Individual incidents such as accidents.
4. Education related issues
5. MDMS
6. Health related issues of children such as malnourishment and proper vaccinations.
Profile on the nature of coverage
• The news articles covered in this phase have been mostly reportages while edits,
opinions and features been distinctly low in numbers.
• Out of the 34 News articles tracked 16 of them have been Reportages and 18 have
been News.
Reportages
Feature
Opinion
News
Edits
Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: The Telegraph, Kolkata.
Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: July, 2010 to September, 2010
Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Saptaparna Bhattacharya
29
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
• Most news articles came in ‘Bengal’ section usually on pg 7 and few on Nation
on pg 5
• Also, a lot of local news on Education and crime found space in the supplement
‘Metro’.
• There were 2-3 news items which took to the headlines on pg 1 too.
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
• In all new pieces the language used for children or the stakeholders is non-
objectionable.
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State
• Hardly any news article held the State responsible or critically questioned the
stakeholders.
• In News and Reportages accountability is not given enough weightage.
• In News /Reportages the journalist doesn’t air his/her opinion rather states the
incidents that have taken place, So questioning the accountability of the State is
not expected in these columns.
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are captured
• In most of the articles the children have been quoted, but rarely have they been
given any space beyond 1or 2 sentences.
• Children voice could be represented in print media in a much better way with
their opinions taken into account and given enough weightage.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Total Role of
State
Voice of
children
HT
30
How well researched/ mention of sources there in the coverage(s):
• Many articles give their facts and figures in details e.g “Bengal Spolier in Polio
fight” gave the figures of Polio cases in Bengal and other related information in
details with a separate chart.
• Many news articles have been continuously covered like “Missing: 2500 girls in a
year”, this news has been followed on and has been reported 2-3 times, same with
“Rush on parallel school bill” too has been followed on and reported in detail for
more than a week.
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
1. Education and lack of trained teachers in rural Bengal
2. Stopping students from dropping-out from primary schools.
3. Health care awareness/infrastructure in Rural Bengal
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase
Title --Missing:2500 girls in a year
Date -- 17th
Sept 2010
Abstract – Over 2500 girls have been missing from WB this year going by police
records
Title – “Eggs? Chauhan says no”
Date – 24th
Sept 2010
Abstract --Madhya Pradesh chief minister has decreed that eggs need not spice up
midday meals in state.
Title – “Heart of gold master fights a curse”
Date – 27th
Sept 2010
Abstract – Headmaster on the verge of his retirement buys dresses for all of his 90
students.
Title – “1000 girl's schools for backward belts”
Date – 22nd
Aug 2010
Abstract – Centre decides to open 1000 residential schools for backward students.
31
Title – “School pool car driver preys on siblings”
Date – 17th
Sept 2010
Abstract – School pool driver raped a 12 yr old girl and sodomised her two brothers.
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
There have been a host of journalists writing about children related news and a few of
them who have been found to be consistent and sensitive on these issues are-:
1. Mita Mukherjee
2. G.S Radhakrishna
3. Uttam Dutta
4. Abhijeet Chatterjee
5. Rasheed Kidwai
6. Tapas Ghosh
7. Chandrima S.Bhattacharya
Concluding Remarks
• Few news pieces are there which could have been given more space and focus,
but they get lost amongst big political news.
A short write up
The news article by Uttam Dutta “Heart-of-gold master fights a curse
Gifts to stop dropouts” is a very inspiring story and need to be read and re-read by all.
What difference a committed teacher can make in a student’s life, especially in rural
areas has been showcased in this article.
A primary School teacher in the verge of retirement gifts dresses bindis, gold studs etc to
the poor students as an incentive to stop them from dropping out. In an area where
schools are rare and dropping out of schools is the order of the day, a lone teacher’s
efforts have been beautifully highlighted by Uttam Dutta.
The State should take such initiatives if the drop-out rates need to be controlled.
32
Themes/ aspects related to children that is highlighted/ covered during
this phase
1) Right to education does not get proper coverage
2) No KMC related coverage concerning the children of our city.
3) Suddenly corporal punishment gets a lot of focus after the Rouvanjit incident.
Profile on the nature of coverage: number and proportion of edit news/
reportage/ opinion
Most of the news are reportages. Out of the 30 news I have tracked only 6 are edit and
opinion rest are reportage. Reportage – 24, Opinions – 4, Feature – 1, Edit – 1 .
Reportages
Features
Opinion
Edits
Size, positioning of the coverage, in which page
• News Items regarding children rarely makes it to the first page
• Very few coverages are accompanied by visuals.
• Most of the articles range from being medium to small in size.
• The observations are same as in the previous 6 months
Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Name of the Newspaper: Anandabazar Patrika
Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: Tracking period: April, 2010 to June, 2010
Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Tracked by: Sourav Guha
33
The language- approach and sensitivity reflected in the coverage
• Generally positive images of children are portrayed.
• The incident of the La Martinere student Rouvanjit was covered very well.
There was a lot of continuity in coverage.
Coverage of issues recognizing the role of the State:
• The count of such news items is negligible.
• Role of State has been reported in 4 cases.
Whether children’s voice/ opinion are captured
• Children’s voice and opinion are captured whenever they are relevant.
• There have been 3 such cases where they have been captured.
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
Total Role of
State
Voice of
Children
Anandabazar
How well researched/ mention of sources there in the coverage(s):
• Police and hospitals are the sources of most of the articles.
• A few articles such as the features, opinions and edits have been well backed by
facts and seemed to be well researched.
The pertinent aspects/ issues of West Bengal as covered in the paper and
suggestions for volunteer campaigns in the East
Title - shikhshar bibhed
Date 14/4/2010
Abstract - opinion on the harm that will be caused once examination system is abolished
in state run school following Kapil Sibal's action in central school
34
Coverage/ Articles which stand out in this phase
Title - dorjay koda nere chhatro dhoren ramjibon
Date- 2/4/2010
Abstract - Teacher goes from door to door to encourage students to come to school
Title - pass-fail tullei keu aar pora chhere debe na (4th
page 2nd
column)
Date – 4/5/2010
Abstract - How the abolishing of examination system affect the education system
Title - shikhshar adhikar aine kintu shishukanyara bonchito (4th
page 2nd
column)
Date – 20/5/2010
Abstract - Girls are deprived in the right to education act
Title – shishu shiksha kendre health card (8th
page 2nd
column)
Date – (Covered in google spreadsheet there is no option to save date)
Abstract – 16 lakh students of 16 thousand child education center will receive health
card. They will receive free treatment in all government hospitals when they show their
card
Title – Bangla oder matri bhasha noy tai ora pore kintu bojhe na(4th
page bottom right)
Date – (Covered in google spreadsheet there is no option to save date)
Abstract – Students of backward classes do not understand Bengali. But there is no
provision to teach them in mother tongue. Hence they do not understand what they read.
Names of journalists/ reporters with whom media advocacy can be
taken up in future
Most of the reporters are staff reporters. Rarely there has been any reporter named and if
named are not as consistent to be found to be sensitive in these issues.
• Simanto Mitra
• Soumen Dutta
• Tarunkanti Naskar
• Achin Chakraborty
35
• Nikhil Kabiraj
Concluding Remarks
Though Right to Education Act was passed in this phase and was one of the biggest news
at this point of time very little coverage was there related to Right to Education Act.
A short write up An important issue that ABP covered recently was an editorial article by Achin
Chakraborty
Title : - sokoler jonyo shiksha aamra sotyi kotota chai
Date:- 22/4/2010
Reported in:- 4th
page 3rd column
The issue raises two pertinent questions:-
1) Do we really need a right to education act? If so how will that benefit all?
2) How will the act be implemented? A lot of discussion has been going on
regarding the act. But no one thinks about how this act is going to be
implemented.
Note: Sourav Guha being out of station for the phase July-September was not able to
contributre in this particular phase
36
Capsule ObservationsCapsule ObservationsCapsule ObservationsCapsule Observations
Comparative figures of child related coverage
Phase 1: Jan- March 2010
Phase 2: April-Sep 2010
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
HT TOI Telegraph ABP
1st Phase
2nd Phase
Reflections
• Though the number of articles might have been the same for the respected dailies
with respect to earlier compilation the number of well researched articles have
been lesser in this phase.
• During these two phases the corporation elections were held but very little was
actually represented about children’s education and corporation schools.
• Some of the big events in this period like the IPL, FIFA WC and CWG scam had
really put children related issues to the backseat.
• Right to Food campaign of Hindustan Times is really commendable in this phase.
• Corporal Punishment related issues especially Rouvanjit Rawla case had been
widely reported and taken care of.
• since second phase of ABP tracking was not regular in the latter months, it
doesn’t get captured in the graph to avoid giving out incorrect trends!
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