I have deep respect for the efforts newspaper owners and editorial staff put in to make newspapers more appealing and reader-friendly despite the meager revenues they get.
These financial hardships can hamper the smooth entry of many into the journalistic field. More difficult is the situation of Qataris who want to carve a niche for themselves in the print media. Some Qataris have enthusiasm and energy, but are kept away from the journalistic profession because of these financial difficulties.
I have great appreciation for pioneering Qatari journalists who are working hard for the growth of newspapers and other publications in this country, and are defending the rights of journalists here. The contributions of these people to making the voice of journalists heard everywhere and paving the way for the success of budding journalists by removing hindrances on their path cannot be forgotten.
Despite this, I will still find fault with the work done by most of our country’s leading journalists. Instead of working hard to create a new generation of promising journalists, these leaders do nothing but talk and express hope for this to happen.
Newspaper editors only hope that things will get better in future. Though they have been leading our country’s media organisations for a long time, they have done nothing to make this better future possible. My question is: When exactly will these people start to act and leave aside words?
My other question is: How can this better future be attainable when all doors of success are firmly shut in the face of aspiring journalists from this country? How can there be a bright future for the journalistic profession of a country that strangles journalistic talent in its crib?
Our leading journalists have their own mindset. The sorry thing is that this mindset does not acknowledge talent. It does not acknowledge the right of new generations to get behind the driving wheel.
My hope is that these pioneers will do something to open the doors for aspiring youngsters to join the journalistic profession. A good step for doing this would be for these pioneers to start treating these youngsters as partners, not mere wage earners.
Our pioneering media professionals should remove from their lexicon the word hope and instead put their trust in our youngsters. They should start realising that mere hoping has availed them nothing for years. Mere hoping has brought them no progress.
Our media organizations must turn into institutions for learning. They should be centres for disseminating knowledge and professional experience. They should become places where aspiring youngsters can receive training and education until they become full-fledged professionals.
The capabilities of our youngsters should not be taken for granted. Apart from the fact that the progress of countries is measured by the resources they invest in their youth, youth can uncover many of the ailments of society and government if they are given the chance to practice journalism in a proper manner.
Young journalists will have their place on our country’s journalistic stage whether we like it or not. This is why the need for courageous action from our leading journalists to help these youngsters cannot be more urgently needed. Youngsters must be helped to reach their goals and infuse new blood into this country’s journalistic profession.
