"In near future print media will keep
growing but eventually due to the dominance of electronic and digital media, it
will be extinct, because the current generation is not interested in reading a
lot, so how it could be expected from next generation to read the
newspapers."
Here the truth comes by an honest, courageous
and fearless journalist- Basma Siddiqui
The journey of a journalist is the journey towards the
destination that has no boundaries. A journalist’s soul is not a common soul;
he or she thinks from everyone’s point of view. He or she observes closely both
sides of the picture. A journalist lets the people know the occurrences
transparently. He or she never welcomes the fear at all. Yeah! Fearlessly he or
she endeavors to publish or broadcast the realities, facts and actual
happenings. Thousands of journalists are performing their duties honestly and
sincerely throughout the world in different media; print, electronic and
digital media. Among these remarkable journalists a very talented, energetic,
tremendous, rising star, passionate and brave journalist Basma Siddiqui making
her mark.
Siddiqui has been performing as sub-editor for a renowned
newspaper Express Tribune for four years. She started her journalism career
from this newspaper in 2012 when she was graduation student in University of
Karachi. After completion her A levels she joined University of Karachi
for four-year graduation program then after she proceeded for master’s degree
in strategic sciences.
Journalism had not been her plan “A”, she wanted to be a lawyer
but after she had tasted the challenges and fascinations of journalism, she
decided to take herself into the depth of the ocean of this occupation.
She was born on 21st July 1990 in Dubai. She with her family
shifted in Karachi in 2001 due to some domestic issues. She lives with her
father and her alone sister. When she was school student, she had to face the
demise of her beloved mother. Such a big tragedy and agony could not make her
give up to stepping up towards her vision for becoming a well-known journalist.
She has no brother, but her father and her late mother never
realized the absence of the son because of her daring, bold, brave and
courageous daughter "Siddqui". She grew up in the family where none
of in her family or in her relatives is journalist besides her. So why has she
chosen this profession?
The reason she told,
“Journalism is much more different than any
other profession because of its challenges, tasks, seeking the truth and
honesty of purpose. And it is indeed a profession with full of influences.”
She added,
“Doctors save the lives so do the journalists making
the people aware of the affairs of society.”
Siddiqui has found journalism as multi-tasking; at a time a
journalist has to see all the aspects of news before its publishing. Working as
journalist has been splendid experience for her therefore she has become
committed with it and now she wants to leave her marks in reporting field.
As she said,
“Reporting is essential component of being
journalist.”
When Siddiqui's routine is observed, so it can categorically be
said that how a journalist works hard. She does not have normal holidays. She
is busy in her leisure time too.
While answering one of the questions she said that in Pakistan
journalism is free but not the journalists. They are bound to the some extent
by the media organizations or sometimes they have to hoard the news or
information at the behest of the authorities. But to an extent journalists are
free too.
About the recruitment system of the journalism she said that
merit is preference. If one is skillful, qualified and talented so no matter he
has references or resources or not, he is appointed. But the reference also
matters to take foot in to a door of every media organization. But only if one
is competent, he or she can survive and evolve in this field otherwise the
media organization gives him or her sack.
About the salary package of new and fresh journalists she says
that in initial era journalists did not use to be paid enough salaries but now
they are not only satisfied but also happy and conveniently fulfilling their
livelihoods.
A journalist has to sacrifice his or her social life due to the
burden and rush of work as well as long working hours. And according to Siddiqui
a journalist should become as strong professional as he or she does not get affected
by any sad or shocking news, he or she should become used to it.
She made the most of her University life. She said laughing:
"We all friends enjoyed our university
lives. We bunked the classes, celebrated the parties, festivals and in short we
made the most of that era. We really miss it."
She really loves to read because she believes that being
journalist she has to be aware of the world's globalization.
She thinks that the best aspect of journalism is when their
small efforts are praised and applauded by the public, media organizations and
coworkers. It is a kind of feeling of achievement that makes you feel proud of
your profession. And the worst point according to her is when they are
restricted or bound by the authorities because of their policy, tilts or bias
of media organizations. And this trend exists in every profession so does it in
Journalism.
Siddiqui is at the place where she is stepping forward towards
her success but still she thinks that she has not achieved anything yet despite
she is the sub-editor of a very famous and renowned newspaper.
She said,
"If I thought that I am something or I
have achieved something, I would slow down myself and it would stop my journey.
That is why I never think I have achieved something. I am still very far away
from the destination where I ever desire to be."
Siddiqui's life gives the lesson to every growing journalist and
every growing professional that perseverance, steadfast, patience, hard work, faith
and honesty lead you wherever you intend to. So keep going on your way and
here comes your destiny.
Interviewed and written by Hafiz Abdul Mannan
