Becoming a Journalist in Exile
About the book in short
Jointly released by Nepalese Minister for Information and Communication Krishna Bahadur Mahara and Bhutanese human rights leader Tek Nath Rizal on March 31, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Becoming a journalist in exile BY T. P. MISHRA
Co-authors
David Brewer (UK), Subir Bhaumik (India), I. P. Adhikari (Bhutan), C. N. Timsina (Bhutan), Nanda Gautam (Bhutan), Laura Elizabeth Pohl (USA), Deepak Adhikari (Nepal), R. P. Subba (Bhutan)
ISBN
978-9937-2-1279-3
Price
NRs 200 (Individual)
NRs 500 (Institutional)
US $ 25 (outside South Asia)
What is there inside the book?
The book is divided into four parts. The FIRST PART may be helpful not only to Bhutanese journalists but also to those who are practicing journalism without having a preliminary knowledge on this discipline, particularly those journalists where media freedom is under threat. This part deals with basic concepts on journalism. Besides, it also serves as a tool to accurate and professional reporting in media sector. One of the chapters in this part, contributed by British journalist David Brewer, is a major source of attraction for new learners of journalism.
The SECOND PART reflects the state of Bhutanese media inside the country. This part distinctly reflects the horrific situation of press freedom in Bhutan. Actually, there is no media freedom in Bhutan though the regime says the country has already stepped into democratization process. Bhutanese citizens are still deprived from exercising their right to information.
Journalists, who try to work as guided by the standard ethics of journalism, are always targeted by the state. A sense of self-censorship still greatly exists among Bhutanese journalists. The in-depth state of Bhutanese media sector is never known to the international community; even if it is then it is the outer surface only. This part is the best means to access on the latest-and-actual state of media industry in Bhutan.
The PART THREE explains about how media is run inside Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal. It helps encourage new media practitioners, whosoever, towards their further commitment to continual work for safeguarding public’s right to information despite several hurdles. This chapter also serves as one of the best motivational tools for refugee communities or journalists in exile around the world to take up journalism profession to highlight their plights.
The PART FOUR contains experiences of three skilled and well versed journalists and this may be helpful to comprehend how one becomes a successful journalist.
Why is the price bit high?
We wholeheartedly admit that the price is bit high. The earnings of this book will be used for the promotion of Bhutanese media in exile. For those who buy hardcopy of the book, it is noteworthy to remember that more than fifty percent of the earning, of the US$25, will be charged by the courier service while sending you the hardcopy. As there is no any business motive behind the sale of this publication we do hope $25 is not high, indeed. Your interest to buy this book with $25 would be a big testimony to the fact that you always stand on the side of press freedom in the country where it is under threat.
How do I get hold of a copy?
As soon you make payments through Pay Pal you will get a confirmation e-mail regarding its acceptance. Then you will be asked to send us your full postal address along with your contact telephone number, if possible cell number. Undoubtedly, once you make the payments we keep on updating you regarding the progress on sending you hardcopy via courier.
You will receive hardcopy of the book within 20 days (maximum) from the time you send us your postal address after making payments through Pay Pal.
In case of your wish to make payments through other means such as the Western Union, Money Gram among others please write at: [email protected] , [email protected] or [email protected] in advance to make detail inquiries.
Can’t I get a softcopy free of costs?
If your organization works for the protection and promotion of media freedom or human rights in countries where they are under threat then it is definite that you can get a softcopy of it free of costs.
For this, just write to [email protected] or [email protected] in detail regarding the activities of your organization and your interest to see this book. Also, mention why is there a need for your organization to seek a softcopy of this publication free of costs.
About the author and co-authors
T. P. Mishra: Thakur Prasad Mishra (T. P. Mishra), a permanent resident of Dagana district in Bhutan, has received his Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Kathmandu-based College of Journalism and Mass Communication. A founding president of the Bhutan Chapter of Bangladesh-based Third World Media Network, Mishra is central committee member of Association of Press Freedom Activists – Bhutan.
An assistant editor for Independent News Service Nepal, Nepal’s first and only private news agency, in 2007-08, Mishra has published dozens of articles and feature stories in various national dailies and international online including The Kathmandu Post, The Rising Nepal, Nayapatrika, Rajdhani (Nepal), The Sikkim Express (India) among others. A volunteer writer for UK-based Media Helping Media, currently Mishra works as the Publisher cum Chief Editor of The Bhutan Reporter monthly and Editor for Bhutan News Service on volunteer basis.
David Brewer: Brewer’s journalistic and managerial experience spans newspapers, radio, television, and online. David was the launch managing editor of BBC News Online in 1997 and moved to CNN for two years in 2000 to set up CNN.com Europe, Middle East and Africa and CNNArabic.com. He was an editorial consultant for the launch of Al Jazeera English in 2006 and continues to work with Al Jazeera English as a media strategy consultant. David has been working in the field of media development since 2002, helping to establish independent and financially sustainable media around the world, including Central America, SE Europe, the CIS, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia. David set up Media Helping Media to support media in areas where freedom of expression is under threat.
Subir Bhaumik: Bhaumik is BBC’s East India Correspondent based in Kolkata. He is a former Queen Elizabeth Fellow of Oxford University and author of a highly acclaimed “Insurgent crossfire.”
I. P. Adhikari: Founding president of the Association of Press Freedom Activists (APFA) – Bhutan, Adhikari is one of the senior exiled Bhutanese journalists behind floating the concept of media existence inside refugee camps in Nepal. He is also the Chief Editor for Kathmandu-based Bhutan News Service. Adhikari has written a number of stories on Nepal’s national dailies including international online on refugee issue and faculty member for MA MCJ and MA Dev Com at College of Journalism and Mass Communication under Purbanchal University.
C. N. Timsina: President of the Bhutan Press Union, Timsina is the founding Chief Editor of The SHANGRILA Sandesh, a monthly newspaper used to be published by and for Bhutanese refugees in Nepal. Timsina, who is now in the United States under third country resettlement, is also one of the most senior exiled Bhutanese journalists.
Nanda Gautam: A former journalist from Bhutan Broadcasting Service Corporation, Gautam was sacked from his job following his continual dedication to balanced and credible reporting. Currently staying as an asylee in The Netherlands, Gautam is actively involved in raising voice for the establishment of media freedom in Bhutan.
Laura Elizabeth Pohl: Pohl is a freelance photographer and web journalist based in Washington D.C. She is also the treasurer of the Women Photojournalists of Washington. Laura has taught photography at Tidewater Community College in Virginia and worked as a business reporter for Dow Jones Newswires in New York and Seoul. She received an MA in journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in interdisciplinary studies from American University. Pohl covered a story on the plight of Bhutanese media sector in exile in 2007 for US-based Global Journalist Magazine.
Deepak Adhikari: Adhikari is a Kathmandu-based journalist working for Kantipur Daily. He has worked with Drishti Weekly newspaper and Nepal Weekly magazine. He is also an Alfred Friendly Press Fellow 2008. Adhikari has been continuously reporting on Bhutanese refugee issue.
R. P. Subba: A product of Sherubtse College, Kanglung Bhutan, Subba also has a Master’s degree in Development Anthropology from Trubhuvan University, Nepal. Subba has been involved in Bhutanese movement for democracy since early days. Subba also pioneered, edited and managed the ‘Bhutan Focus’ – the first of its kind in the history of Bhutan ever to be owned by a non-government entity. He has frequently written columns in the Kathmandu Post and the Space Time in the past and has briefly worked as an associate editor for the “Peoples’ Review” in Kathmandu. An active researcher, Subba has been living in the United States since 2003.