As the India-Pakistan continues to simmer, the focus is on Indian journalists on the national security beat and their unabashed jingoism, peppered with relentless warmongering. I came across this story on the most well-known hack on this beat. I don't want to talk about his/their blatant anti-Muslim bias, dubious sourcing and indifference to their wrong, and even dangerous, reports, because it is too depressing. But, the story reminded me about my own time as reporter and how I would struggle to 'break' news. The best newshounds are razorsharp, great with people and also very street smart. Whatever my level of intelligence, I am definitely not good with people or street smart (at least not by Indian standards). But, being reasonably smart and a good writer helped me stay afloat in the hyper-competitive world of Indian business journalism.
Deals reporters are considered the cream of the crop among business journalists. For one, much of deals reporting is market-moving and, potentially, money-making. If one were an intrepid but unscrupulous deals reporter, there is a lot of money to be made. But, the thing that makes deals reporting more difficult is that you interview sources will never see their names in print, so fame is not an incentive for them to speak to you. The only reason they would talk to you, is a) they trust you b) you give them information about their competitors. c) you are nice to them (in print). Unfortunately, most journalism is a combination of PR, access journalism and information-broking. Its take a lot of talent, smarts and integrity to do good journalism without resorting to one of the above three, and I have immense respect for those who do.
Deals reporters are considered the cream of the crop among business journalists. For one, much of deals reporting is market-moving and, potentially, money-making. If one were an intrepid but unscrupulous deals reporter, there is a lot of money to be made. But, the thing that makes deals reporting more difficult is that you interview sources will never see their names in print, so fame is not an incentive for them to speak to you. The only reason they would talk to you, is a) they trust you b) you give them information about their competitors. c) you are nice to them (in print). Unfortunately, most journalism is a combination of PR, access journalism and information-broking. Its take a lot of talent, smarts and integrity to do good journalism without resorting to one of the above three, and I have immense respect for those who do.
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