'I always say that the best time to start-up is college. Fear is a thing to regret. Start early. Because when you run the extra mile, it is always less crowded! ;) '

Her inclination towards writing led her to become a blogger/legal journalist. Anisha Aditya blog at law portal Law School Terrace and is a writer at Inc42, a social platform for young start ups. She also works as freelance journalist and a mind wanderer. She is presently studying law at Lloyd Law College, New Delhi.

Given below is the transcript of her interview with Nebil Nizar

1-What made you a journalist?

A positive impulse, an urge towards recognition and my own sentimental inclination to become a writer pushed me towards journalism. It is amazing how one thing kept rolling to another. Journalism opened up a plethora of opportunities for me. The walk has not really been a cascade of flower. But who wants an easy play?! Honestly, my decision to become a journalist has been much recent. And all that has set forth has only moved me to go along with it. It was never a measured route for me, as it happened to be a job I love doing.

       

2- How legal journalism come into your life?

Freshman year was a hustle. My archaic mindset that law students can only wear the black cloak and the bitter grin and sit behind a stack of briefs got overruled. The issue is law schools offer too much food for thought but less time to ponder. And hence everything seemed a hustle.

Once I started writing, my interface with the legal fraternity was much more than the other fronts – be it with law professors or advocates or startup founders or law associates. Many people connected with me for giving legal reports on the various legislations, verdict of the Judges, different aspects of law schools or the legal profession per se. Moreover, I encountered many wonderful personalities who motivated me in the pursuit of this field. Did the motivation help? Sure thing!

3- Specialized Branches of Journalism are growing- Legal, Business and Economy etc. Do you think this would take journalism to new heights?

Yes ofcourse it will! The reason behind it being proficiency. You put an science teacher in a room of poetry, more often than not, the person will create meaningless scribbles. I am not disregarding the versatility of journalists, but you cannot throw the theory of right man in the right place in denial. It's simple: an economist can definitely give better economic reports than a political scientist, an entrepreneur can certainly write better about VC or angel investors than a social scientist. Division of labour is an old school theory prevailing in contemporary times! Specialization of journalism will lead to skillful work which will certainly lift up journalism to new heights.

4- What is the present status of legal journalism in India? How far it is seen as a career option here?

Legal journalism is no longer a wallflower in India. The skills of a researcher, argumentative thinkers, critical analyst are mutual epithets for all. Yet, a high tide of law students is not prevalent here. Opportunities are in plenty. Various new forums are coming up to boost legal journalism, both online and offline. Moreover, when you possess the knowledge of law and if you are giving reports on law, then certainly you are at an advantage. Seeing legal journalism as a career is a lucrative option now.

5- Recently Press Council of India Chairman Justice. Markandey Katju emphasized the need for minimum qualifications for a Journalist. What is your stand on this?

I never quite understood why Justice Markandey Katju said so. Training comes from experience, not from a paper degree. I think every journalist is a quick learner with a childlike curiosity. Even if he has never studied articulate venation or Higgs boson in life, he can write a complete report on that. Most importantly, a journalist knows how to filter the knowledge to extract the best. I totally agree with Barkha Dutt saying that the answer to attain greater heights in journalism does not lie in “more degrees”. Some of the stalwarts of this field are even without a successful university degree. Journalism is a movement. Absence of prescribed qualification for journalism is certainly not resulting it’s mediocrity. Infact, its liberalism is leading to its progress.

6- Do you think that there is a trend to scandalize and lower the authority of courts by legal media fraternity in the recent times?

Journalism is the only medium which exposes the public to the whirlwinds of the recent times. Media does not derogate the court. It only enlightens minds. If a factual truth about an incident sensationalizes the public, why must be the media be blamed? Moreover, lawsuits are not decided by the public’s reaction, but by the law of its jurisdiction. People have a right to know all that is happening within the nation, not just the headlines and the verdict of it. It has played applauded role in the case of Jessica Lal, Arushi Talwar, 2G scam and innumerous other cases. Atleast, someone is genuinely trying to enlighten and ignite minds!

7- Do you think that law schools should start a new course on legal journalism to impart training in basic laws combined with teaching journalism skills?

My institution itself has Law and Media in its course. But what is required is not a black and white teaching, but how to hunt in the wild. Law and Journalism both are two very powerful professions. When merged together, it can work wonders. The issue is, life even outside the education system seems to be scheduled - get good grades, graduate, get a job, marry, have kids, grow old, retire, die! Indian journalism needs young minds with bolder ideas. And hence practical oriented teaching is MUCH MUCH in requisite.

8- If a Journalism aspirant seeks your advice to help him choose between Print and Visual media, what will be your advice?

Everyone has to seek for their own niche. A kid with brilliant speaking skills can hit the visual media while the one who has more power over the pen can ink the script. It again varies from what you what you want. Apart from increasing local creditability, print media is form of art. Print Media is a job from which one cannot just gain recognition, but also satisfaction. For me personally, it is a source of contentment. Again that is broadcasted on the visual media is global and gives fame. One major misconception is considering social forums like Facebook, Twitter and the likes of it as Visual Media. These are merely alternate media. Whether to choose Print or Visual Media depends completely upon the potentials of the individual. On the whole, I think both hold equal significance for denoting media as the 4^th estate in a democracy.

9- What is your advice to law students who desires to be a Journalist?

Journalism is a brilliant profession to pursue. No ifs, no buts to it. The priceless perks of journalism are the connections which reaches you, your name being a common word, people find you, your current affairs is a major score and last but  least, a productive mindset. I always say that the best time to start-up is college. Fear is a thing to regret. Start early. Because when you run the extra mile, it is always less crowded! ;)

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