role of press

Editors and journalists in India do not generally write their memoirs as they do in other countries, more particularly in the West. Despite several handicaps in the profession, India has witnessed a remarkable growth in journalism. She has produced editors of ability and distinction like Surendra Nath Banerji, Motilal Ghosh, G. Subrahmania Iyer, Kasthuri Ranga Iyengar, K.C. Roy, A. Rangaswami Iyengar, Kali Nath Ray. C.Y. Chintamani and S.A. Brelvi. Unfortunately, none of them has left behind an authentic account of their experiences in journalistic life or other recollections and reminiscences. The memoirs of B.G. Horniman entitled fifty years of Journalism were not even

half way through when his own end came. C.Y. Chintamani wrote on Indian politics but nothing on journalism. Even books on Indian journalism are few and far between. It may be said of Indian editors that as a rule they work themselves to death in the profession, caring all the time for the life and well-being of the people but paying little or no attention to the intellectual needs of those who are engaged in the profession or are desirous of entering it.

"The public in India know very little of the journalists, while even politicians have only an imperfect appreciation of their difficulties. The setting up of the All-India Newspaper Editors’ Conference and the publication of its periodical proceedings have made the politicians as well as the public realize in a general way that pressmen have their own problems concerning the people and the Government. The Nehru-Liaqat Agreement of April 1950 has been followed by a joint session of the Standing Committees of the All-India Newspaper Editors’ Conference and of the Pakistan Newpeper Editors’ Conference held in New Delhi, at which a complete understanding was reached as to the measures necessary to implement the Agreement so far as the pressmen of both the countries are concerned. This itself is the most significant development for which 1950 will be memorable in the annals of journalism as in the field of politics or statesmanship, bringing into bolder relief the close relationship between the Government and the Press in the interests of democracy and people’s welfare.

"It falls to but a few even among journalists to witness and record all the various political and other developments in the concentrated atmosphere at India’s Capital and also at the annual or special sessions of the Indian National Congress, the Muslim League and other political organizations. What I have attempted in this volume is a narration of the more important of my journalistic reminiscences spread over the past 35 years, i.e. from 1915 to 1950—a period of fast-changing scenes under the Gandhian leadership during which it was my privilege to serve as Editor of Reuters and the Associated Press (now known as the Press Trust) of India, and till very recently as the Principal Information Officer of the Government of India. On the canvas of these memoirs may be seen many newsreels and snapshots of incidents and personalities caught amid colourful scenes which may be of interest to students of Indian history or politics, besides the journalists. But objectivity has been the guiding principle throughout my narrative of anecdotes or impressions.

"I must express my greatful thanks to the Director General, All-India Radio, for permission to use some of my broadcasts, and to the editor, Roy’s Weekly, New Delhi, for the liberty to quote from some of my contributions as a political commentator published in the journal during and after the Cripps Mission of 1942, as the latter provide a fitting background to the many scenes that India witnessed four years later with the arrival of the British Cabinet Mission, resulting eventually in the withdrawal of British rule from the land of the Mahatma in August 1947 and the establishment of India as a Sovereign Democratic Republic under the Constitution of 1950". (jacket