Gandhi: The first peace journalist
When asked to describe Mahatma Gandhi, most would say he was an Indian independence leader, human rights defender, and spiritual guide. However, “People don’t think of him as a journalist” even though “he was a journalist from an early age, and died as a journalist.”
This is according to professor, historian, and author Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Professor Gandhi was the featured speaker at a program titled “Gandhi: The First Peace Journalist,” held at Park University on Aug. 26.
The evening began with a presentation by Gandhi documentarian Cynthia Lukas about Gandhi’s background as a journalist. Gandhi was a prolific journalist and editor who was well-known in India for his articles stressing social justice in such publications as Indian Opinion, Young India, and Navajivan (A New Life). Lukas said his writing avoided inflammatory, “poisonous journalism” (as Gandhi termed it). Instead, Mahatma Gandhi emphasized civility and politeness in his articles, striving always to “step into the shoes of our opponents.”
Professor Gandhi agreed, adding that it is “certainly correct to describe Gandhi as a journalist.” His grandson said Gandhi was a staunch defender of the free press who nonetheless understood the need to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, to “put a curb on his own pen.”
My presentation followed, and supported the premise that Gandhi was indeed a peace journalist. I listed several characteristics shared by Gandhian and peace journalism. These include rejecting “us vs. them” narratives; journalism as public service; media as a tool to de-escalate conflicts; using journalism as a means to foster reconciliation; carefully choosing one’s words to avoid sensationalism; giving a voice to the voiceless; and emphasizing facts and truth.
Regarding language, I shared a quote with the audience. Writing about the “Indian Opinion” journal, Gandhi said, “I cannot recall a word in those articles set down without thought or deliberation, or a word of conscious exaggeration, or anything merely to please…”
The truth, and facts, had no more strident champion than Gandhi. I presented this telling quote from 1926: “The way to peace is the way of truth. Truthfulness is even more important than peacefulness. Indeed, lying is the mother of violence. The truth of a few will count; the untruth of millions will vanish even like chaff before a whiff of wind.”
Professor Gandhi agreed with my assessment that Mahatma Gandhi was indeed a peace journalist. He cited an incident where the Mahatma called out those who had labeled an opponent a snake. “To liken someone to a snake…is a degrading performance,” the professor quoted his grandfather.
The final speaker was Park professor Abhijit Mazumdar, who discussed inflammatory and often hate-filled speech in South Asian media. He cited examples from social media, including hash tags like #HatePakLovers, as well as inflammatory name-calling on Indian TV like “shrieking raccoon” and venomous snake.” In addition, he noted many examples of false news that have been reported by Indian television. Professor Gandhi added that Indian media often spread “toxicity.”
The event closed with a Q&A session for the presenters, though the questions were understandably directed at Professor Gandhi, who shared his frank assessment of the media’s shortcomings as well as his optimism that media can be more responsible. Several questions asked about how individuals can be peacebuilders. Prof. Gandhi encouraged the audience to spread the word about what he believes is oppression of the Kashmiri people. He reminded the audience that anyone can be a peacebuilder, and inspired them with his hope and belief that the world can become a more peaceful place.
The event was sponsored by Park University’s Center for Global Peace Journalism.
PERSONAL NOTE:
It was thrilling, and surreal, to share the stage with a peacebuilding icon like Professor Raj Gandhi. It was heartening to hear that we share many of the same attitudes about peace and those who impede peace, and about the potential of peace journalism to guide a more productive discourse in the media. It’s gratifying to have one’s work validated by one of the world’s most celebrated peacemakers.
Next post: Prof. Gandhi visits Park University students, classes.
When asked to describe Mahatma Gandhi, most would say he was an Indian independence leader, human rights defender, and spiritual guide. However, “People don’t think of him as a journalist” even though “he was a journalist from an early age, and died as a journalist.”
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| Prof. Raj Gandhi, on peace and peace journalism, at Park U. (Photo by Phyllis Gabauer) |
This is according to professor, historian, and author Rajmohan Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Gandhi. Professor Gandhi was the featured speaker at a program titled “Gandhi: The First Peace Journalist,” held at Park University on Aug. 26.
The evening began with a presentation by Gandhi documentarian Cynthia Lukas about Gandhi’s background as a journalist. Gandhi was a prolific journalist and editor who was well-known in India for his articles stressing social justice in such publications as Indian Opinion, Young India, and Navajivan (A New Life). Lukas said his writing avoided inflammatory, “poisonous journalism” (as Gandhi termed it). Instead, Mahatma Gandhi emphasized civility and politeness in his articles, striving always to “step into the shoes of our opponents.”
Professor Gandhi agreed, adding that it is “certainly correct to describe Gandhi as a journalist.” His grandson said Gandhi was a staunch defender of the free press who nonetheless understood the need to avoid inflammatory rhetoric, to “put a curb on his own pen.”
My presentation followed, and supported the premise that Gandhi was indeed a peace journalist. I listed several characteristics shared by Gandhian and peace journalism. These include rejecting “us vs. them” narratives; journalism as public service; media as a tool to de-escalate conflicts; using journalism as a means to foster reconciliation; carefully choosing one’s words to avoid sensationalism; giving a voice to the voiceless; and emphasizing facts and truth.
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| Gandhi: The First Peace Journalist, 8/26 in the Park University chapel. (Photo by Phyllis Gabauer) |
Regarding language, I shared a quote with the audience. Writing about the “Indian Opinion” journal, Gandhi said, “I cannot recall a word in those articles set down without thought or deliberation, or a word of conscious exaggeration, or anything merely to please…”
The truth, and facts, had no more strident champion than Gandhi. I presented this telling quote from 1926: “The way to peace is the way of truth. Truthfulness is even more important than peacefulness. Indeed, lying is the mother of violence. The truth of a few will count; the untruth of millions will vanish even like chaff before a whiff of wind.”
Professor Gandhi agreed with my assessment that Mahatma Gandhi was indeed a peace journalist. He cited an incident where the Mahatma called out those who had labeled an opponent a snake. “To liken someone to a snake…is a degrading performance,” the professor quoted his grandfather.
The final speaker was Park professor Abhijit Mazumdar, who discussed inflammatory and often hate-filled speech in South Asian media. He cited examples from social media, including hash tags like #HatePakLovers, as well as inflammatory name-calling on Indian TV like “shrieking raccoon” and venomous snake.” In addition, he noted many examples of false news that have been reported by Indian television. Professor Gandhi added that Indian media often spread “toxicity.”
The event closed with a Q&A session for the presenters, though the questions were understandably directed at Professor Gandhi, who shared his frank assessment of the media’s shortcomings as well as his optimism that media can be more responsible. Several questions asked about how individuals can be peacebuilders. Prof. Gandhi encouraged the audience to spread the word about what he believes is oppression of the Kashmiri people. He reminded the audience that anyone can be a peacebuilder, and inspired them with his hope and belief that the world can become a more peaceful place.
The event was sponsored by Park University’s Center for Global Peace Journalism.
PERSONAL NOTE:
It was thrilling, and surreal, to share the stage with a peacebuilding icon like Professor Raj Gandhi. It was heartening to hear that we share many of the same attitudes about peace and those who impede peace, and about the potential of peace journalism to guide a more productive discourse in the media. It’s gratifying to have one’s work validated by one of the world’s most celebrated peacemakers.
Next post: Prof. Gandhi visits Park University students, classes.
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At Park U event, L to R: Barbara Youngblood, Usha Gandhi, Prof. Raj Gandhi, Dr. Greg Gunderson, Park U.President, Laurie Gunderson,Steven Youngblood |
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