COLUMN WRITING IN MODERN AGE:Diversity of thought, Individuality

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 20

COLUMN WRITING IN MODERN AGE

The present day columnists are very important part of the journalism. With the passage, they are being

given more and more importance. See at the newspapers, where the editors are giving more space to the

columnists on the Op-Ed pages especially. They are considered to be part and parcel of the political

journalism.

Besides, news and analysis by the article writers, columnists have been able to carve out an important

niche for themselves. Resultantly, people follow their favourite columnist whenever they switch over

from one newspaper to another; hence goes the readership with them to that particular newspaper. This

also substantiates the reason that the editors give a lot of importance to the established columnists, as they

are not fetching their own readership with them, rather big names among the columnist, also bring better

reputation to the newspapers.

Succinctly, columnists have become an important ingredient of the political journalism. Nevertheless, it

does not mean that they do not write on other issues.

Columns

Columns and columnists are synonymous to each other. In certain cases, both of them have become so

popular with the readers that if the name of one is slipped out of the reader, he can recall him with the

other. For instance, if the name of the writer is forgotten, people do remember them by recalling the name

of the column. Hence, these both go side by side.

In no way, we can undermine the importance of the columnist for newspapers. Earlier, the vernacular or

Urdu newspaper columnists used to well-known, but with the passage of time, English columnists have

created their own space, and they have become equally important. Now, English columnists are being

translated in Urdu and are regularly printed. However, this has not happened from Urdu to English so far.

Nevertheless, sometimes it is also done.

Columnists and columns

Diversity of thought

The popularity of the columnists can be attributed to the fact `diversity of thought', as the columnists are

not always writing about one subject. Even if they are writing about one subject, then they make it certain

that their ideas do not seemed to be copied from each other. Consequently, we find many aspects of a

single subject, while many writers are following the same editorial policy of the newspaper.

Hence, while reading many columns, the reader can find diversity of thought about the same subject. On

the other hand, these writers are also following different editorial policies about the same subject.

Consequently, one can also find columns, both pro and anti-government, pro one political party or against

a political or democratic dispensation.

Moreover, they are found tackling the same subject from different angles, which adds to the beauty of the

columns. Secondly, the columnists always adapt well to the changing circumstances, and develop their

write-ups accordingly. For instance, in case of curbs on the media and if they are being considered to be a

threat to democracy, then they change their style, but always stick to the truth and the editorial policy of

the newspaper.

So the columnists bring of diversity of thought to their columns, which always bring in the element of

unpredictability causing constant interest for the readers.

Individuality

Despite the fact that in given circumstances, hardly more than two subjects are considered to be hot for

discussions, but the columnist always keep their individuality intact by discussing the subjects from

divergent angles. Hence the columnists are constantly keeping their name as an individual's name, and

will resent to be labeled someone copying thoughts of others.

No doubt, they are considered to well-read people, who are having their own genuine thoughts about a

particular subject. Plus, inspiration a few of them might take from others, but always rely upon their own

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

ideas. Consequently, we see that all of them might condemning or approving the same thing, but they will

be writing from their own particular perspective; hence keeping their individuality intact.

Hired by newspapers

Most sought-after writers

At the moment, most of the columnists are kind of freelancers those who are contributing columns

regularly but they are the most sought-after writers, as the editors want that a particular writer should be

writing for his newspaper. No doubt, such writers do have a large following of the readers, who ultimately

go for that writer, and resultantly, the readership of the newspaper is enhanced.

Recently, there has been virtually a competition among editors of hiring columnists, while the other was

trying to keep them with his newspaper. This competition is pretty stiff among the editors of the Urdu

writers.

Highly-paid writers

The columnists are highly-paid writers, and their perks are increasing every year. Now an ordinary

columnist is being paid at least six figures by the editors, whereas the top writers are earning far more

than this. Today's columnist besides having good status in the society, he is also well-off, whereas he is

being more and more every day.

Subject variety

On all possible subjects

The columnists write on every subject from individual cases to personal ones, from society to politics,

from environment to endangered species you name one subject and you will numerous writers writing

on that particular subject. So there is a variety of subjects a reader can read.

But politics takes lead

However, despite variance of subjects, we find that most of the columnists are writing about politics. It is

primarily because of two reasons. First, all well-known columnists are political writers; hence as every

one tries to be popular one, so he follows the same subject. Secondly, as Pakistan has been politically

volatile country, and its people are politically motivated masses, hence there is a huge room for a political

writer to be accepted by the readers.

Hence, we find more and more people writing on politics, which have gained popularity.

Both media

Urdu columnists

Urdu columnists are more known among the masses, which is primarily due to two reasons. First, a large

scale readership (every literate Pakistan reads Urdu newspapers) and secondly, their appeal to the

emotions. Hence the Urdu columnists are more popular among the masses.

English columnists

As English newspapers do not have widespread readership and these newspaper have a limited influence,

which is only among the highly educated people, so the English columnists are not that popular in

comparison to the Urdu writers. However, they have on readership, which is loyal to them.

Orientation of columnists

Mostly political

As mentioned earlier, the columnists are writing on politics. However, the society or the social issues

come next to politics. Nevertheless, all subjects pertaining to the interest of the readers are discussed in

columns.

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