Reporters Without Orders Ep 84: Climate Strike, Kafeel Khan, Bihar floods, and more

This week on Reporters Without Orders, Snigdha Sharma hosts Newslaundry correspondent Ayush Tiwari and Bibek Bhattacharya, deputy editor at Mint Lounge. They discuss whether the Climate Strike protests around the world could prove effective in changing government policy, the Uttar Pradesh government’s inquiry clearing Kafeel Khan of wrongdoing in the Gorakhpur hospital tragedy, among other subjects.

Bibek notes the role of class and privilege in protests and movements. “There is an inability to bridge the gap between concerned urban citizenry and people who live outside of our radar, in forests etc who are way poorer.” 

Ayush points out how the media was quick to make Kafeel Khan into a villain after the tragedy but has been largely quiet about the report clearing him. 

Sharing their “bizarre news of the week”, Bibek talks about the “funeral” of the Pizol glacier in the Swiss Alps while Ayush mentions a fashion student’s photoshoot amid floodwaters in Patna. Snigdha’s bizarre news was about an animal social media influencer. 

References

Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate

An Inconvenient Truth

Greta Thunberg and Bill Gates aren’t on the same side: Manu Joseph, Livemint

The Worst Sachin Arguments: Manu Joseph, Open Magazine

Recommendations

Bibek Bhattacharya: Warm Regards

Ayush: A Savage Dreamland: Journeys in Burma by David Eimer

Snigdha: Hunting the Con Queen of Hollywood: Who’s the “Crazy Evil Genius” Behind a Global Racket?