‘People do not reason any more. They want pleasure, drugs, sex and often get it. That, I fear is the society we have become now. No opinions, no imaginations.’ says Peter Hitchens, the columnist at Britain’s The Mail on Sunday.
Dating his career start from 1977, Hitchens clearly states that most of his experience is useless and shall not benefit the journalism students of today, who need more technical experience.
With four books in his name that range from Britain’s politics to history of crime, this 60-year-old journalist believes that you learn more about your country by being in some other country.
‘My two year’s of experience of living in Russia is fixed in my mind. I can close my eyes and see myself there. The sticky floor submerged in liquid soaking your boots that could be beer, clients not talking much with each other in the bar, packets of dry fish, me purchasing drinks- everything is clear,’ he narrates.
Audaciously speaking about how much he criticises the governmental machinery in Russia, he says ‘I think people who upset the government there are murdered.’
He is on the face, ruthlessly strict about his opinions and very practical.
He gave the example of Anna Politkovskaya, the Russian journalist who was killed while she was on her way home, an incident which no one deserves.
Communism, he says, had been one of the chief reasons behind the establishment of gangster culture in the entire Soviet Union.
Tak zhit Nelzya (You can’t live like that), a Russian documentary by famous director Stanislav Govorukhin, clearly paints a picture of the torture which Russians had been going through for ages but never stood up against it.
‘When people watched that movie, they were literally shaken by the reality of their world. They stood for an ovation. They cried.’ revealed Hitchens.
When I asked him if there is any opinion piece he really regretted writing, he confidently declined after a very long pause of self contemplation, ‘You can not disown what you once thought and just accept it after you have underwent the change. My greatest regret would be to write some story which I did not believe in.’
Similarly, when asked what he would advice future journalists, he said in a matter-of-fact tone ”Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I even keep my children away from my political thoughts.’
Though, he does claim that political journalism in UK is well dressed gossip. He reveals that how much he worked all his life to be one but three months down the lane, he knew it was not what he thought it would be.
Speaking about China and the way the country has prospered, he fears China is where the future would be. ‘China has broken all the rules. For the first time, a vast and glittering metropolitan like China has taught that prosperity could exist without liberty.’
Very openly, he says that he sees no importance in a country calling itself democratic only if it holds general elections.
What is important is the rule of law and jury trial. A culture which is distinctly not present in Russia and Bulgaria.
In a nutshell, when you hear Hitchens speak, it seems like his enormous experience and knowledge is an education in itself. He is strict, accurate and deserves immediate respect.
At the same time, he carries an elderly grace with him. A certain peace which you feel only if you stand next to him.
Dynamic and very robust, the man never says a single word which he does not mean and is very adherent to his opinions. If you meet him, do google about him before. Few hours are just not ample for his introduction.
shubhdachaudhary 