First a note that might offend hard-boiled
journalists: There is plenty of 'objectivity' out there, often amounting
to little more than compulsive cynicism. GoodNewsIndia wishes to report on
a series of happenings in India that adds up to a true but little known
layer of goodness in this society.
Having said that, this is not a rigid style guide that
aims to make writers lose their flair or their individuality.
It is just that if a story covering a person or an
institution needs sentences like...
'... there are of course many critics of Mrs.Y who
disagree'
or
'... some of the activities of this organisation arouse
suspicion'
or
'... there are dark areas that need to be investigated'
then, that particular story does not qualify for a
place in GoodNewsIndia.
So the first task is to select only those stories
on which the writer is able to be affectionate and warm without
qualms of compromising her integrity.
An over-clever writing style does not suit either. Many
of the folks and groups that we hope to cover are simple people without
cultivated veneers. We are not presenting them for the beautiful people's
or the brown-sahib's acceptance. Let there be no smart-alecky observations
popularised by English travel-writers visiting India until
recently. Nor, humour that shows the subject
in uncomfortable light.
A final note for the writer is that this site began as
one man's point of view and for some years it cannot escape his imprint.
Simply put, please do be prepared for some editing. By all means, protest
if it is too missionary; but do accept that there ought to be some consistency
of grain across the site.
In sum....
1- write only on subjects, about which you are able to
be affectionate even while remaining truthful
2-don't let your writing style be so 'clever' that
readers are more curious about you than the story you are covering
and
3- be prepared to accept some heavy editing.
August,2000
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