King James bible a must for aspiring writers, says veteran Indian journalist
Print journalism is not about displaying one’s skills of impeccable or phenomenal writing but more about communicating in a concise and precise manner where a reporter can connect with readers in a few words, observed M.J. Akbar, senior Indian journalist and national spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Addressing students of the Sri Lanka College of Journalism and invited guests at the Sri Lanka Press Institute auditorium in Colombo, on Friday, Mr. Akbar also said print journalism was a linear communication between reader and writer and so a reporter should be meticulous when representing information.
Mr. Akbar, a former Editorial Director of India's leading weekly English news magazine, India Today, was also a Member of Parliament and an official spokesperson for the late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A renowned writer, he is known for his books such as Nehru: The Making of India, India: The Siege Within and Kashmir: Behind the Vale.
Commenting on present day print journalism, Mr. Akbar remarked, “There is an urgent need to raise the standards of writing. As observed, many write verbose articles and reports in English without having the basic knowledge of the language.”
He also advised aspiring journalists to read the King James Version of the Bible, to improve their English. “The basic structure of the English language can be found in Kings James Version of the Bible and thus it can be called ‘the holy book’ for all the journalists,” Mr. Akbar said.
The lecture concluded with an interactive session. Responding to a question about the issue of Indian fishermen being arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy, Mr. Akbar said the nation’s interest came before the government’s and thus an amicable solution would be found soon.
Expressing his views on the present Narendra Modi-led BJP government, Mr. Akbar said a nation was judged by the way it treated its minorities. He said minorities wanted economic prosperity, equality and not hypocrisy and the present Indian government was doing the right thing to address minority concerns.