Tags:
Journalism of Courage
People from world over want to know my thoughts on various issues. So says Anna Hazare,with his usual modesty,in his new English-Marathi blog called Anna Hazare Says. This blog,as well as his new Facebook and Twitter profiles,are a way of conveying the direction this revolution will head towards, said Hazare. He dwelt on the glory of his full-fledged non-violent revolution,the chicanery of government representatives,the strength of his own inner voice. Hazares social media splash is meant to sustain the momentum around his Lokpal bill agitation,as well as make sure that he can get his message across,unfiltered. On behalf of his associates and the people of India,Hazare thanked Aung San Suu Ki for commending their struggle against corruption.
Hazare,of course,has proved to be an adept communicator. As the government he took on fumbled,then clammed up,then spoke in a clashing chorus and squandered every rational advantage,Hazare and his team were priming much of the media,using TV-friendly emotional rhetoric and imagery,distracting from the campaigns core weaknesses,or any actual discussion of their version of the Lokpal bill and alternative versions,and making it sound like a popular tidal wave against corruption. Sitting under a spreading banyan tree,Hazare delivered his discourse to dozens of TV channels on the same afternoon.
Not letting the dialogue flag,staying on-message,spontaneously organising,responding to his constituency these are the qualities that Anna Hazare and his team have,and his political targets clearly lack. If nothing else,our political establishment could take a cue from them on persistent,persuasive communication.
