Kumar Bahukhandi
Raipur: On the third and concluding day of the Raipur Literature Festival, a thought-provoking panel discussion was held on the topic of ‘Journalism and Literature’. This session was the second one held at the Lala Jagdalpuri Pavilion.
The discussion was dedicated to the memory of the late senior journalist, Baban Prasad Mishra. The panel included senior journalists and writers Smita Mishra, Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi, Awadhesh Kumar, and Girish Pankaj, while the session was moderated by Vibhash Jha.
Sharing his views during the discussion, senior journalist Girish Pankaj said that whether it is journalism or literature, the fundamental basis of writing should always be public interest and social responsibility.
Dr. Himanshu Dwivedi Editor-in-Chief of ‘Haribhoomi’, said that presenting facts with impartiality and sensitivity is the fundamental principle of journalism, while reflection on facts and circumstances provides a broader and deeper perspective to literature.
He highlighted the fundamental difference between a journalist and a writer, stating that journalists often work within the confines of institutional limitations, values, and editorial priorities, while writers have more opportunities to express the diverse dimensions of a subject with freedom.
Senior journalist Smita Mishra said that the difference between journalism and literature lies mainly in style, language, and perspective. While journalism is fact-based, literature leans more towards emotions and feelings.
She also emphasised that sensitivity in language, empathy in reporting, and the ability to present a broad perspective are essential for both fields, as both have the power to influence public opinion, Smita added.
Sharing his experiences as both a journalist and a writer, Awadhesh Kumar described journalism and literature as two sides of the same coin. He said that his journalistic experiences often inspire his literary writing, and many news stories related to human concerns motivate him to express the deeper social and human aspects of those issues through literature.
During the session, moderator Vibhash Jha recalled the contributions of prominent journalists from Chhattisgarh, including Muktibodh and Madhavrao Sapre, stating that they used literature as a medium to expand social awareness.
The panel also discussed in detail the growing influence of social media on contemporary journalism and the challenges it presents.
On this occasion, the poetry collection ‘Karun Prakash’ by Smriti Dubey and the poetry collection ‘Yeh Bansuri Ki Nahin Bela Hai’ by Loknath Sahu Lalkar were also released by the esteemed guests.
