Rubaroo with Riyaz Masroor:On Journalism, Politics, and a Changing Kashmir

Q: To begin, tell us about your journey in journalism. How did you become such a prominent name?

A: I see myself as a journalist like any other. I hesitate when people attach labels to my name. But yes, I have been working in journalism for more than 30 years.

Q: How did you become a journalist in the first place?

A: It happened by accident. I had just finished my higher secondary education. In our community, when you turn 18, parents start saying that it’s time to earn a living. One day, at a local salon, I saw a copy of Al-Safa. On the front page was a notice: “We need a sub-editor.” I didn’t know what that meant, but I decided to visit the office. I was interviewed by senior journalists and, to my surprise, got the job. They also encouraged me to report from the ground. That’s how it all began.

Q: You are known for your Urdu writing. Do you think Urdu journalism is in decline in Kashmir?

A: I don’t think so. I also don’t believe in dividing journalism by language: Urdu journalism, English journalism, or anything else. Language is just a medium of expression. While readership of Urdu newspapers may have declined, most of the content on social media is still in Urdu.

Q: Today, many media graduates struggle to find jobs. What’s your take on that?

A: The industry has changed. If you limit your expectations to newspaper offices and TV reporting, jobs are indeed hard to find. But media and communication are deeply linked. Fields like public relations and corporate communication offer huge opportunities. Media students should explore these sectors from the beginning. Do not restrict yourself to traditional outlets.

Q: There is growing concern about social media diluting journalistic quality. Many without training or ethical grounding call themselves journalists. What’s your view?

A: Every profession needs regulation, and journalism is no different. Right now, there are no proper laws to regulate digital expression in our Union Territory. That may change. But I don’t call such individuals journalists; they are content creators.

Q: Yet many of them do call themselves journalists.

A: That’s because they sometimes cover news, and those stories may spark controversies. But responsible journalism is about more than just breaking news. It’s also your duty, as a young journalist, to show what real journalism looks like. These content creators often film children and individuals without consent, which is illegal. Publishing images or videos of minors without parental permission is against the law, but these rules are rarely enforced. Some also spread fake news without verification, feeding a cycle of sensationalism.

Q: Should senior journalists raise their voices more strongly on this?

A: I already have. You can watch my past interviews where I’ve spoken out. It’s like an engineer treating bone fractures in a clinic. In any other field, such a person would be arrested. But in journalism, unfortunately, it’s still happening.

Q: How do you view the lifestyle and cultural changes in Kashmir over the last 30 to 35 years?

A: Nothing is constant. As Heraclitus said, “Change is the only constant.” What we’re experiencing is part of global change. Globalization has reached us, too. But some changes are driven by local turmoil. Parents often send their children outside the UT for better opportunities. That distance gradually affects relationships.

There was once a survey in the Rawalpora and Hyderpora areas of Srinagar. It found many large houses where only the husband and wife lived. People started calling them “ghost houses.” These changes are also due to better communication and transport. Earlier, visiting relatives in Anantnag from Srinagar meant a two-day plan. Now, with better roads, cabs, and trains, distances feel shorter.

Q: You’ve covered political affairs closely. Politicians are now speaking about restoring statehood to J&K. When do you think that will happen?

A: Everything follows its timeline. What matters is how we pursue it. It wasn’t a public demand: statehood was promised by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister in Parliament. Now it’s the responsibility of the local administration to convince the Centre that the time has come to fulfil that promise.

Q: Do you see any shifts in the current political scene?

A: Before the election, local politics were mainly about water, power, and roads. This is the first time in 35 years that people are openly praising the LG administration for development. We’ve seen fast-track infrastructure growth. Now we’re seeing aspirational politics. Voters have given a strong mandate to one party based on future expectations.

Q: Turning to global affairs, what are your views on the possibility of a Trump 2.0 administration? How would “America First” affect the world order?

A: In diplomacy, this is called Trumpism. The same “America First” ideology existed in the 19th and early 20th centuries. After Pearl Harbor, the U.S. became a global superpower. ‘Pax Americana’ was born, with America acting as the world’s policeman.

Trump reversed that. He argued that the U.S. should stop fighting global battles and funding foreign aid while Americans suffered. He triggered tariff wars, particularly with China, and pushed Canada and Mexico into new trade negotiations. But such policies may benefit Russia and China. America’s aggressive posturing pushes its allies toward strategic partnerships with other powers. So the post-Trump world brings both opportunities and challenges for developing nations.

Q: Do you think this hawkish foreign policy will harm U.S. interests?

A: Trump may not fully implement such a policy, but his criticism of international institutions, like calling NATO useless or questioning the WHO’s role, undermines America’s position as a global superpower.

Q: You’ve inspired many young journalists. What message do you have for journalism students?

A: Challenge yourself every day. Learn new skills. Keep upgrading. As a journalist, you need to stay current. The resources are available; you just need to have the fire in your belly.