The Niira Radia episode raises questions about the boundary between legitimate news gathering, lobbying and influence peddling.
The publication of taped conversations between Niira Radia — a lobbyist for Mukesh Ambani and Ratan Tata with a keen interest in the allocation of ministerial portfolios — and editors, reporters, industrialists and politicians has shone a harsh and even unwelcome light on the web of connections which exist between the worlds of business, politics and journalism.
The transcripts — drawn from 104 phone conversations recorded between May and July 2009 when the Manmohan Singh government was in the process of beginning its second innings — also raise questions about the boundary between legitimate news gathering, lobbying and influence peddling. Even as the journalists involved have strongly defended their conduct, others in the media are divided with some believing the boundary was transgressed.
The transcripts were published last week by Open and Outlook magazines, which sourced them to audio recordings submitted recently to the Supreme Court by advocate Prashant Bhushan as part of a PIL on the 2G scam. The magazines claim the recordings were made by the Income Tax department as part of its ongoing surveillance of Ms Radia. The recordings are believed to be part of a wider set of phone taps, though who leaked this particular selection and why is not known.
In the tapes, NDTV Group Editor Barkha Dutt and Hindustan Times' Advisory Editorial Director Vir Sanghvi both appear to be offering to use their connections and influence with Congress leaders to pass on messages from Ms Radia, who seemed to be representing a section of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam interests. Other senior business journalists have discussions with Ms Radia about the gas pricing dispute between the Ambani brothers, mostly regarding favourable coverage for Mukesh Ambani. Prabhu Chawla, India Today's editor of language publications, appears to be offering her “advice” on how to pursue an appeal in the Supreme Court.
On the political front, in multiple conversations, both Ms Dutt and Mr. Sanghvi offer to mediate between the Congress and the DMK, and even help to set up meetings, in order to dispel misgivings between them on the specific role of Dayanidhi Maran and the allocation of portfolios more generally. In what seems to be an ongoing conversation during the stalemate between the Congress and the DMK over Cabinet berths, Ms Dutt asks Ms Radia what she should tell her Congress contacts. “Oh God. So now what? What should I tell them? Tell me what should I tell them?” she asks.
After listening to Ms Radia's instructions, she promises to speak to Congress leaders. “OK, let me talk to them again,” she says. In a later conversation, she says, “That's not a problem, I'll talk to [Congress leader Ghulam Nabi] Azad —I'll talk to Azad right after I get out of RCR [which has been read as Race Course Road, where the Prime Minister lives].” In separate conversations with A. Raja and Atal Bihari Vajpayee's foster son-in-law, Ranjan Bhattacharya — who also, surprisingly, appears to be playing the role of a conduit to the Congress — Ms Radia speaks of Ms Dutt's help. “I made Barkha call up Congress and get a statement,” she tells Mr. Bhattacharya. In response to questions on Twitter, however, Ms Dutt has categorically denied acting on any promise to pass on messages to the Congress.
In his conversations with Ms Radia on the Cabinet issue, Mr. Sanghvi claims to be passing on information from Congress leader Ahmed Patel. “I spoke to Ahmed … Ahmed is the key figure. Ahmed says, ‘We told him, we told Maran also that we'll deal with Karunanidhi, so he has gone back',” he tells Ms Radia. Later, she asks him to pass on the message that the Congress must deal directly with DMK chief M. Karunanidhi. “I was supposed to meet Sonia today but I've been stuck here. So, now it's becoming tomorrow. I've been meeting with Rahul, but tell me ... So, who should they talk to?” When she replies, “They need to talk directly to Karunanidhi,” Mr. Sanghvi's response is: “Let me try and get through to Ahmed.”
On his part, Mr. Sanghvi has indignantly denied any wrong-doing. “When there's a fast moving story like the formation of government, you talk to all kinds of sources. Most of the time, they're quite busy doing whatever they want and they don't actually give you the information unless you string them along,” he told The Hindu. “It just seemed easier to say, ‘Yeah, yeah, I'll do it' and then forget about it.” He insisted that he had never acted on Ms Radia's requests to call Mr. Patel or anyone else in the Congress “as anyone in the government will know.” However, even if he had called Mr. Patel as promised, it would not have been unethical if it was not privileged or secretly communicated information, he felt.
Ms Dutt declined to answer The Hindu's questions, citing legal concerns, but she has been freely offering answers to similar queries on her Twitter account over the past few days. “Let's put it like this, unless we only cover news based on bland press conferences, we have to talk to all sorts, good and bad,” she said in one tweet. “I think there is nothing wrong in stringing along a source for info… I think EVERY journo has the right to engage a source, its NO CRIME … as a matter of record, I never passed the message. But info sharing per se is not immoral in a fluid news situation,” she tweeted.
In an official response to the publication of Ms Dutt's conversations in Open magazine, NDTV said it was “preposterous” to “caricature the professional sourcing of information as ‘lobbying'.”
Other senior journalists are not so sure about the appropriateness of the conversations but admitted there are growing gray areas in the ethics of journalism. “Cultivating a source, giving him a sense of comfort, that you are not antagonistic, massaging his ego — all that is fine. But acting as an intermediary is inappropriate,” said one senior television journalist who asked not to be named. The same editor felt that increased competition led to today's journalists being in more constant and informal touch with their sources, and he admitted that misusing this legitimate proximity was now easier than ever. But he hastened to add that political reporters often make tall claims or promises to get their sources to part with information.
The same argument is echoed by Diptosh Mazumdar, national editor of CNN-IBN, who endorsed Ms Dutt's insistence that she had done nothing wrong. “Regarding Nira Radia tapes, let me say that accessing info is a difficult job and ur promises to ur source is often a ploy to get more info,” he said on Twitter. “When there are fast moving Cabinet formation stories, you make every possible move to get the info out, those promises mean nothing …” Rajdeep Sardesai, IBN's editor-in-chief tweeted in response to the Open story: “Conversation between source and journo is legitimate. If quid pro quo is shown, expose it. Else, don't destroy hard earned reputations.”
Apart from the portfolio-related recordings, many of Ms Radia's conversations dealt with the tussle between the Ambani brothers over gas pricing. She is heard berating financial journalists for the poor placement of stories she had passed on. In one conversation, Mr. Sanghvi asks Ms Radia — who represents Mukesh Ambani — what kind of story she wants him to do on the gas dispute between the two Ambani brothers. Ms Radia talks of gas being a national resource and that the younger brother should have no right to insist that “a family MoU” he signed with her client be placed above “national interest.” Mr. Sanghvi's column in the Hindustan Times the next day makes precisely the same argument. His defence is that this was genuinely his own view, and that the conversation with Ms Radia was only one of multiple inputs for his column.
In another conversation, India Today's Prabhu Chawla advises Ms Radia on Mukesh Ambani's strategy in appealing the apex court against the Bombay High Court ruling in the gas pricing case. “You should convey to Mukesh that the way he is going about the Supreme Court is not the right way,” he tells her.
However, Mr. Chawla insists he was not giving any advice regarding the case. Instead, he told The Hindu that he was indulging in “social chit chat” with a source who called him, and merely giving his opinion that the Ambani brothers should come together since “when the brothers fight, the nation suffers.”
Perhaps because of the large number of journalists involved in the controversy, most Indian newspapers and TV channels have not covered the Radia tapes at all, even though they include conversations with Mr. Raja himself and Ratan Tata, head of the Tata group. This despite foreign newspapers like Wall Street Journal and Washington Post taking note of them and none of the protagonists denying the genuineness of the recorded conversations.
Though the blogosphere has been filled with outrage over the seemingly cosy relationship between the media and corporate lobbyists (one website has spoken sarcastically of ‘All India Radia'), questions have also been raised about privacy issues, especially since some of the conversations seem to be personal, with no direct news linkage. “I don't agree that tapes of private individuals not breaking law should be aired,” Ms Dutt said on Twitter.
Outlook editor-in-chief Vinod Mehta defended his publication of the tapes, but declined to comment on the recorded conversations or answer further questions. “We printed the story because it was hugely in the public interest,” he told The Hindu. “Our purpose is not to pass judgment, but to put information in the public domain.”
Keywords: 2G spectrum scam
It is ironic that Barkha Dutt, who conducts an open debate on the current affairs on NDTV every week, had to get embroiled in the Radia tapes controversy. The tapes expose the nexus between the media and the corporate lobbyists. NDTV and CNN-IBN have already lost their credibilty during their over-enthusiastic coverage of the 2008 Mumbai attacks and with this controversy and the defence of their journos involved, they should hang their heads in shame.
Hats off to THE HINDU. its really heartening to see the effort which no one else in the media dare to. may God always keep you with this courage so that our faith on media is not obsolute. kudos!
Congrtulations to N.Ram for having the courage and integrity to print this story. It is shocking how NDTV continues to protect its involved journalists i.e Barkha when the the obvious is visible to all. She has displayed no remorse and continues to come appear on TV and we are forced to change channels as nothing she may say now will be belived. At least HT and VIR had the deceny to withdraw his coloumn. Shame on Pranoy!
Clearly, there was no 'stringing along' of Radia. If anything Barkha and Vir have revealed themselves as PR journalists. Handing us corporate scripts as news. Shame on them and if journalism in India is to recover then a simple band aid wont do.
The conversation of Ms Dutt certainly seems doubtful in this case, and her defence offered on The NDTV in front of some senior editors was highly deplorable and made her position very weak. May be media guys should own up about their links and TV channels should not block the news that they have done in this case.
"I think there is nothing wrong in stringing along a source for info," says Burkha Dutt. I have listened to the tapes available in the Outlookindia website, over and over. It did not seem that Burkha Dutta or Vir were getting information at all! It was the other way around. It was Radia who was doing all the digging in. Were Burka Dutt and Vir Sanghia on Radia's payroll? Is that hard to confirm? Can't we check wealth of these journalists from the last few years, and comapre it to their employment salaries and benefits?
Poor gullible people have been thinking all these days that at least the press is not totally corrupt in India. Looking at this obnoxious nexus between the so-called celebrity like print and electronic media editors, corporate houses, bureaucrats, politicians and the power brokers, we the people of India now feel very doubtful whom to trust - it is very dangerous to lose faith in institutions of judiciary, executive, legislature and the press, it is even more catastrophic if we lose faith in judiciary and the press. These institutions have to play a very balanced role on their part so that the basic edifice stands firm.
The media, corporate and political nexxus has been around since time immemorial, the players are just different. Thanks to Outlook for bringing this out to the open. At least one section of the media has a deep conscience. As usual, things will be swept under the carpet given the money/power muscle of those who are involved and limited public memory. But, at least, the truth has come out.. Shame on all those journalists who pose as advocates of truth and slyly line their own purses taking advantage of their position... Hypocrisy of the highest order. Their own conscience (if any left) will bother them...
Barkha Dutt is alleged to be on the pay roll of Nira & her Clients. It is sad that these so called Captains of Indian Industry want to turn India into a banana republic. The sturdy Indian needs to brace up for tough days ahead.Everything here will be up for sale.
Though I had heard whispers about NDTV, Hindustan Times and other parts of the media supporting political parties, I set this aside as just "idle gossip" of no relevance, in the large scheme/interests of India's growth and progress. The Radia tapes belie this. The integrity of the media now stands eroded. NDTV, Hindusthan Times,P Chawla all need to explain and vindicate their position through public debate. Let us try and understand the "subtelties" involved. This is the least that is owed to the public!!!!
I think NDTV should have come out open and should have cleaned their own mess(Fire Bharka Dutt). Now they don't have any moral rights to question any corrupted guys. Finally The Hindu brought out the news in India mainstream...Hats off to the courage shown by Outlook, Open and The Hindu.
Leaking confidential electronic surveillance is illegal. India needs to learn from ground up the value of privacy in a democracy. The selective leaks are illegal, and their use by a publication are also illegal and prone to defamation proceedings.
Thank you Open and Outlook for putting those tapes and Hindu for following up on the issue and showing mirror to us in the profession. But what more worries me, how these so called big names in the profession built up their reuptation when they have a such poor sense of news. When everyone is knowing there is stand off between Congress and DMK over government formation, if so called lobbyist is calling on behalf of political party, I feel my job as a journalist would to put the story on air or print ASAP. i.e. now even lobbyist are playing roles in cabinet formation. Isn't it the political story of the decade or century. Instead these great journalists with hardly any sense of news or no sense of news at all give lame defence of they were try to string the source to get more information. If that was the case, we had not seen any great results with those additional inputs.Sorry but Ms Dutt and Mr. Sanghvi even a fresher out of journalisjm school would have done better job of the info to which unfortunately only few previlaged journalist have access.
It is good to see certain media houses like TH, NIE among others, covering this unsavoury mediagate episode. At the same time, I would also like newspapers like The Hindu why they suppress publication of certain news items which don't show the Tamil Nadu government and/or the DMK in a good light. A case in point is the complete blanking out of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights which had its hearing in Chennai yesterday and it was not covered at all in The Hindu while other papers had it as front page news! The Commission did not have positive things to say about TN and key officials did not even attend despite prior intimation! Such an attitude does not augur well for a free and fair media.
Barkha should leave the journalism domain and join some brokerage firm. We trusted her and she ditched all. She has lost even the very basic credibility to appear on screen. Let her go into obscurity and so are the other guys in journalism. shame to you Barkha. as the goat is well garlanded before butchering, you have also built a deep trust in people before stabbing them from back. I will not like to see you in the screen hence forth.
At last Hindu has shown that it is different.In fact the clear manner N.Ram spoke on the Karan Thapar show gives us hope that all is not lost.While OUTLOOK has published the tapes ,but making no comments is taking an escapist route.Even the news channels,has let us down.Do they have different yardsticks for themselves?
Better late than never. Good to see the print media bringing out this sleezy episode in Indian journalism. This issue must be debated and must be debated in public like the media so catagorically does on all other matters. Technically, the tapes do not prove any culpable offence. But this is a purely technical matter and the involved journalists should not hide behind it. It is sickening to see some of the most respected journalists in country stooping to such a low level and compromising the very ethics thay go around preaching others on their show and thorough their articles. A large section in media tried and is still trying to sweep it under the carpet. This is heights of double standard.
The Peepli 24/7 live media has become mediator from mediocre! I'm amused by the fact that the very people who talk about ethics and morality in our public life and keep passing judgments on others are so immoral. Barkha Dutt,the darling of Indian middle class sensibilities has betrayed them. We the people feel relieved that at last her myth making is exposed. Now hope fully Nidhi Razdan will find her righteous place in Peepli 24/7 !
The unholy alliance between politicians / police / industrialists / media is very strong. The Niira Radia tapes only prove this unholy nexus. So far no one has claimed that the tapes are doctored! It only goes to show that they are genuine. Very big politicians and their families are involved in the spectrum scandal (including the PM's party) - otherwise it would not have been allowed to happen in the first place. As the Indian media has severely compromised itself in the 2G scam, nothing would come out of it and it would be business as usual, in a matter of days, unless a responsible paper with credibility (like Hindu) takes it up in a big way. The courage which a small paper Pioneer displayed in exposing the 2G scam should now be shown by The Hindu and others. Otherwise, I don't see much hope for the nation. PM Manmohan Singh didn't speak out when he has to - he didn't act when had to - today his credibility is destroyed. Similarly, if you don't speak out now, unfortunately, even though journalists from The Hindu and BusinessLine aren't involved in this scam, their credibility & reputation(s) would also get tarnished in the minds of the people (alongwith guilty people like Barkha Dutt / Vir Sanghvi / Prabhu Chawla / Venu etc). More links: Radia tapes - All Lines Are Busy: http://www.outlookindia.com. Radia Tapes - Corporate-Bureaucrat-politician nexus: http://indiasreport.com. How top Journalists have turned handmaidens of Ambani Brothers: Part 1 - http://indiasreport.com. Part 2 - http://indiasreport.com.
There was always the feeling that something was not right -- especially when Barkha Dutt did not pursue these questions vehemently till their logical conclusion, as she rightly does on some other important issues -- 1.How come the Government does not have full money to implement RTE fully when it can waste thousands of crores on CWG for showoff? 2.How can Govt increase fuel prices that will directly affect poor? What is the logic behind tax sops to IPL,IT,etc.? 3.Why doesn't Govt get enough money for Health Care of the poor who die and suffer without it? When someone is in such an influential position, why can't that person understand the sufferings of poor people anymore when India has them literally in Millions? Everyday wasted without genuine and sincere hard work towards poverty alleviation means several lives lost and innumerable unbearable sufferings continuing. India needs genuine Social Welfare(which includes Secularism) which if any Party/Group can provide will be greatly blessed -- because that is the only direction in which winds blow for India and anyone going against it will only be responsible for their own fate.
Just like the media starts a chorus against politicians whenever allegations of corruption are raised there should be quid pro quo. Barkha Dutt and Vir Shangvi should face some sort of internal investigation from their peers at the least and stand down if found guilty.
These shocking audio tape conversations reveal whom these two high profile journos Barka Dutt and Vir Sanghvi and their bosses (NDTV and Hindustan Times) have been batting all along, at the expense of national interest. They instead of being the watchdog and exposing the scams, have been part of it. I wonder how Outlook and Open Magazine dared to expose it (hats off to them) when other major Indian media chose to be silent. I will not be surprised if the Congress forces these two websites to remove the links to the audio tapes. Before they ever do it, I hope someone from the social media community replicates the audio links, so that this debate can be kept alive and expose the nexus between these high profile journalists and their political bosses to the general Indian public.
Manu Joseph writes on the media blackout . www.sledgingpoint.blogspot.com
That media acts as a tool to further corporate, political and even obscurist agenda is no news. In the neo libralist era it is foolish to assume that media would remain unaffected by corporate influenc and agenda setting. These are only details that too sckechy and vague. The point is unless the whole neo liberalist paradigm is challenged and resisted such stories would only be deemed "sensationalist."
NDTV's comments on the barkhagate are ridiculous. How come we believe now if NDTV talks on or better say targets Narendra Modi? Also how come we trust these journalists and media organizations when they question ministers and governments? It seems TOI exposed the so-called land scam in Karnataka to ease the pressure on Congress at center. All things are inter-related and it is shameful of CBI to get homework questions from Supreme Court. This 2G scam like all other scam will be buried or investigation will go on for decades till everyone forget or some other bigger scam comes out. I am 100% sure all the persons involved in this scam will be spared, nothing will happen. By the way I am really frustrated with the way things are going on in India, in one way it is developing with good growth rate and young population but on the other side it has become scammed and corrupt nation. Only hope was media, that also let me down. Hope Barkha and her coterie will read the comments on The Hindu. In US the media organizations would have fired these journalists.
Barkha Dutt in particular and NDTV in general lack journalistic ethos. It is typical of Barkha having a holier than thou attitude which will be responsible for her downfall. She is trying to hide behind the cloak of journalism. I hope the CBI investigates her involvement so that she can cool her heels and thereby keep her mouth shut.
It is very difficult to digest wrong doing of media. Burkha and Vir lost their reputation. Reporting of this by THE HINDU is highly satisfying. Action of TH gives hope to all Indians and trust correction will happen.
"Stringing along a source" does not seem to me a decent honest way to get information. I have stopped watching many news channels because the anchors keep haranguing the person they are interviewing and do all they can to put their own agenda statement in the person's mouth. Such programs should not be called news, it is unabashed propaganda.
The Barkha /Veer tapes are lethal bombs and are ticking. They decide on cabinet posts for India like Aloochat,ki sabzi. Cabinet after cabinets are formed after lobbying with Media big wigs like Barkha, Veer and their ilk who have bcome even more mighty than Govt. of India and more menacing too. You know what? We one billion Indians are all under a blackhole,only a few Gods can pull us out.
Feel cheated by these tv journalists.First they must be removed. Second, they must return all the awards and state honours that they received.Third, they must return the money, flats, vehicles and other memberships etc earned through this dirty propaganda work.
Really hard to believe.Where is NDTV. Why aren't they showing these tapes like they do animations and repeted telecasts of incidents second by second.
I did listen to these tapes and i honestly think our so called big media personalities have crossed the fine line of constructive journalism. If Barkha Dutt thinks that she did no wrong, then she should come up with an episode of "We the people" to discuss this Niira Radia tapes topic. Participants of the program will air their views and people will make up thier mind on this whole issue. But to our suprise whole of media has blacked out these tapes except for couple of them. Our trust on media has been shaken to the core and it is media's responsibility to gain it back.
Thank God you reported on this issue. I read The Hindu regularly. I live overseas and still get The Hindu paper copy subscription delivered every week so it is good to know that I have not subscribed in vain and The Hindu still believes in Journalism and Integrity. In a Nation where values like Honesty, Integrity, Honour are not valued it is indeed good to know that a 'few' good journalists are still out there. Good Job The Hindu.
Congratulations. I think you guys have done a fantastic job of putting this story out in open. Really appreciate it.
Good work hindu
If a news break out all news channels run "Flash News" and journalists are all over the place falling against each other taking photographs, in the studio there are 'n' number of people debating the issue, then there is a "Standup" debate, "a round table" debate, a special program etc., etc., and this will be repeated every 15 minutes for a number of days. But when it comes to them where is the media? No news? No talk? None of them opened up. Hello media fraternity, you do not have guts to take criticism, you are cowards to black out this news. If you are clean you should have published this story as you did other issues and debated it to the core. Shame on you!
I was initially shocked when Hindu didn't publish it despite it being making headlines in foreign media.. now I am again loving it.. Hindu gives straight yet powerful news.. Kudos to Hindu
The fourth pillar of democracy dancing in the tune of the capitalists. The beautiful minds of the Journalists.
Hats off to Hindu. I am really happy now that some responsible media is coming up with this issue, which is really going to be an important discussion (hope it does). The fourth pillar is also seem to be go in the judiciary / political / burecratic way and hope this rot is stopped here itself. Media houses has become sychopants of politican parties..which keep on singing the same song. Especially NDTV which has lowered the role of media taking in view the political closeness and also keeping in mind the revenue generation from Advertisements etc. This is absolutely conflict of interest and hope the paid news investigation is done in a transparent way. As many of the comments above we used to have high opinion on some reporterrs...but alas now there is another match fixing row!!! Soon we will have to go back to olden days of communication. With eagerness to make money and fame..these media channels have made our life miserable...for eg., conducting reality shows which blatantly violate all norms and can be onpar with any vulgar channels! Hope some good lessons are learned and adopted out of this nasty nexus.
Ms. Dutt it's your word against what has been published. You can tweet all you want but not too many people believe what you say now! A huge cover up exercise is on in India. The PM is under scrutiny for his inaction in the 2G scam....business houses are under the scanner...lobbyists are under the scanner...the CBI itself is under the scanner for it's role in the Ruchika case and a couple of others. Now all the interested parties - the corrupt politicians, the corrupt babus, the corrupt politicians in power, the not so honest sections of the media,the spineless investigating agencies are disclosing one scam after the other to divert attention.
I have been watching NDTV since "World this week" 20 years ago. I felt Dr.Prannoy lost his moral stand by having people like Ms.Barkha. I felt so proud when she was is Kargil. Also all the papers should have come out with headlines. Mr.Rajdeep can claim not to spoil the reputation but the underlying question is why they should become so close? Also why can't they expose the scandal then and there? If NDTV loses one editor they will get one more. But unfortunately everybody wants to be lime light throughout their life and not bothered about the country.
Its a huge huge dissappointment. Cant imagine Barkha and Vir getting involved in Lobbying. Why go to such extents to extract info ? In the course of doing that you have compromised yourself , the reputation and ethical journalistic practices....its a real shame! Was there money involved ?
Its a huge huge dissappointment. Cant imagine Barkha and Vir getting involved in Lobbying. Why go to such extents to extract info ? In the course of doing that you have compromised yourself , the reputation and ethical journalistic practices....its a real shame! Was there money involved ?
This is good journalism by Outlook, Hindu and others. If Barkha and Vir are accepting that they have done nothing wrong and this is part of the game, then why do they have a problem with people knowing this as a part of the game. Though its hard to believe that journalist have no financial gains out of brokering deals. Just cant imagine that the only consideration involved is information.
I have lived in US for 11 years and followed the news there pretty closely. I felt that the mainstream media there is pretty cozy with the political and corporate interests. What an average American see and listens is what these interests want them to see. If not, Americans would never have supported the 2 wars Bush started. Following the Radia tapes, I feel our news media is pretty much going the same way as US media. We are already getting censored (by media houses) news. To get real news and focus on the issues important for average Indian is getting tougher by the day.
When most of print and electronic media is keeping silence to this expose kudos to Hindu to print this article. Please keep uncovering this story.
NDTV has been the mouth piece of Congress. You can see the same from the WE PEOPLE programme where Barkha Dutt would never allow others other than Congress making their point. I would go to the extent of saying that NDTV is being paid by D Company.
The trust deficit has widened by this delayed response by main stream media. I am glad the Hindu has come out of this impasse to retain some credibility
Why only Barkha and Vir will speak to Congress leaders about their decision? Are they only authorized to speak with Congress or they are the only journalists left from media? There is a thing called Press Conference where all party politicians come and inform media what they have decided. They hold a press conference specially to tell media and whole world about their decisions.They do not call only Barkha and Vir to tell personally what they have decided. Even a common person can understand why only they will speak to Congress leaders. There are thousands or hundreds of thousands journalists in India and for Congress only 2 journalists are authorized? Point to be noted. They are so shameless that they are giving clarifications on twitter that they are not guilty. They should openly come out and tell the truth as they have nothing to lose. They can join Congress and become an MP or MLA and start looting country rather than looting country in disguise. At least it will not be shock for India.
I must say that despite the depravity of the situation in Pakistan, it does have some good, confident and assertive media. I'm not talking about the general Urdu press or even the TV in that country, which is no better than their Indian counterparts, but newspapers like Dawn and The Daily Times. After all, it was Dawn that first published proof that Kasab was a Pakistani, even though the GOP was denying it. In India, it is only Outlook that's worth reading. And India is a growing, democratic power, while Pakistan is a failing banana republic! How sad.
No wonder no TV channel is reporting this :) The news channels had absolutely no problems playing taped phone conversations between Salman and Aish on TV.But if their own conversations are taped, they suddenly remember that everyone has a right to privacy. The executive is corrupt, the legislature is den of corruption, and recent events have raised questions about the judiciary, Armed forces and now the press as well ...and wait, the CVC is also suspect now. Since government has said that integrity is not a prerequisite for such a senstitive post. More to the point, Who paid these guys to run the story ?
At the Outset I would like to congratulate THE HINDU for publishing the News. The Politically Powerful Media Lobby tried their best to protect these 2 powerful journalists who have even have direct access to Congress President and Rahul Gandhi. The credibility of Indian Media mainly Electronic Media is at stake. I never had any doubt on the credibility of media personnel like Barkha, Prannoy Roy, Rajdeep. These people are worse than petty cheap politicians. I have no doubt that this media and corporates controls the prices of common commodities in india. There was a general speculation that the Petrol price hike was imposed to indian common man by Mukesh Ambani asserting pressure on Indian goverment .I am sure that Barkha Dutt and Vir must be aware of these games played by corporates and may have played to role as a mediator. Anyway I am very much shocked and very upset
this suspicious silence of main stream media is seriously undermining their credibility. they are quick to jump on others from all walks of life but not on their own..,no moral high grounds
Journalistic standards have fallen so low these days that these scumbags are now the prominent journalists of our country !!
I grew up reading Times of India. Back then Indian Express was considered a tabloid. Over the years, it became totally clear that ToI had sold itself to anyone who could pay for news. This sad and cozy relationship between news media and government or corporates exists not only in India but also here in the US. These are dark times for news media all over the world. "The Hindu" is one of the few newspapers that I look at for unbiased news coverage. So, to the editors and news staff at "The Hindu" you can be proud of the organization you have and please don't let anything tarnish this hard earned respect that you have from your readers.
We need a Media Commission in India. An autonomous institution much like the election commission and with quasi judicial powers. Representatives from the civil society, from the journalist unions, media owners, judiciary and parliament should be a part of it. Otherwise, we will end with something that is worse than the military-industrial nexus that Gen Eisenhower warned about to his people.This Industry-Media-Political-Bureaucratic nexus will suck the Blood out of our people. We must act NOW. Save the Media.
poovhenden@gmail.com
Finally Hindu has covered this huge news. Even though Hindu has covered it a week late, I hope things don't stop with this one editorial. I would like to see respected editors like P. Sainath dicuss on the broader issue of corruption in journalism and ways to tackle it. Its also disheartening to see the total media blackout on this issue. Remaining silent on this issue has only made them seem more guilty.
A comprehensive google rather a p.sainath on this issue is awaited.
I am glad someone is working on this. It seems to be a tough tough job to keep oneself clean in a professional environment. The Hindu seems to be one beacon of light, and I do wish it continues to be one. Although it needs immense strength of character for an institution. On a slightly different note, I do think the standard of reporting here and in other cases (recent one being where a graphic picture of a dead body was shown), might need a little improvement.
"Hypocrite" was the word that came to my mind when I read this story. Shocking to say the least. All those moral teachings by this media anchors now seem to be well rehearsed drama to fool Indian public. The most surprising nature about this is not many have even heard about it. The media has let down the people of India!
Strict action should be taken against this news channel (NDTV). Let there be an IT Investigation and all the 'quid pro quos' will be easily established.
At the outset let me whole-heartedly congratulate The Hindu for taking the issue head on and highlighting this very important issue. Just the manner in which the "mainstream" media closed ranks and chose to kill this story is evidence enough of a very deep rot within the media business. This is the second instance of such an occurrence. The media did not introspect and debate the paid news story and forced a full stop on that story. Even the low key stories telecast on the television were over-cautious, this was in stark contrast to how they would have drawn blood had a politician or a bureaucrat's name appeared. This was an opportunity for media to prove their credentials and I am sure media houses like The Hindu, Outlook and Open will come out of it like gold comes out of fire leaving the impurities back.
I live in Nagpur and I get to read the Hindu one day late from New Delhi. Many of my friends ask me why i do so. I answer that "The Hindu" is the most reliable and unbiased news coverer. I am the student of public administration ,I read about nexus between politician-traders-criminals-bureaucrat,now there is need to update this nexus and add media.I think that media family itself should take initiative to clean itself should not look away from reality,no single electronic media has covered this news.thanking you.
I'm shocked that i came to know of this controversy after several days of it being reported by 'Outlook' and 'Open'. Such acts will only deter the credibility of media houses and especially journalists like Vir Sanghvi and Barkha Dutt whom we regard with respect and read/listen to them with trust.
This is why The Hindu is still the most respected newspaper in the nation.
I am happy that the myth is broken -- that Tata's and the Ambani's do business the ethical way. I am happy that people know irrespective of what these people harp around about their contribution to India. I am very happy with Ms.Radia. Thank you Outlook,Open,IT,Ms.Radia and Mr.Tata's and Mr.Amabani's, Roberto Cavelli and the Black Tie's. Thank you all.
It is my sorry experience as an ex bank official that most people in the media right from stringers meddle with affairs which are not their legitimate business, try to throw about their weight and seek undue favours often bordering on the illegal. TV journalists seem to go a step further. Many news TV personalities in Telugu are often said to indulge in blackmail and extortion. Regarding the ethics many of them don't seem to know what they are! Most of the media like Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt et.al seem to think they are beyond responsibility. If the media don't set their house right some of these people are bound to land themselves in a tight spot sooner than later.
Glad to read abt Barkhagate in the Hindu. However the fact that it took 4 days for the story to appear in Indian print media raises bigger questions about who is controlling the media houses in India. It is still ironical that newspapers like Hindu are treating the story more as an opinion rather than running a news story/report on page 6 if not the front page. There is no bigger criminal act than hiding the news from common man. Thank god for the internet.
I have only one thing to say, thank god. At least we are left with one media source to provide legitimate information, which can see the difference between 'professional sourcing of information' and 'lobbying'.
Under what moral authority some of these journalists expose the politicians as most corrupt persons in India? Going through this article, I have to conclude that every successful person in any field is corrupt in India, whether it is religion, politics, teaching, journalism, business, or any other profession.
I still wonder why this lady of NDTV fame has been awarded Padma something by govt of India. What service she has rendered to the govt or public. She has indeed fooled public. She has two faces. None of them I wish to see now.
Thanks for posting about this latest scam!
By this act Media is saying, they are more immune than politicians. If they dont like a politician, actor they put him on a trail. Why there is no "Trial By Media" Against Media? Why is truth so bitter now? The defence by Barkha and Vir is the lamest one. By this time , Barkha and Vir should have been sacked, if they were the only ones, which didnt happen. This means the whole house is one way or other doing the same thing. So afraid to run this story. Even now I suspect, they discussed within each other and write a few articles and pull it under carpet (timesofindia and Hindu). Barkha and Vir should not only apologise , they should resign and become lobbyists themselves.
The question is do these Journalist have a LOC or they are just boosting their image by this kind of intermediary work's? India, what more are we going hear?
At last Hindu madeup its mind. But it's a pity that J.Gopikrishnan - the young Pioneer reporter who courageously saw through it all to get the 2g scam exposed - fails to get a mention in the article.
Is there any damn thing in this world one can trust!!!! These editors won kudos for their bold journalism but now have got themselves caught in this mud sledging. Are there guys accompanying me to Himalayas??
First of all, NDTV threatening "defamation" is 'ulta choor kotwal to daante'. The more NDTV goes on this line, more it will boomerang on them. Best course for Barkha Dutt is to realise some wrong was done, apologise and move along. One basic code of conduct (this is prescribed by Press Council of India too) for journalist is to be objective. They have to report a story, and not become party to it ...and if they do, they become unprofessional. That is what has happened in this case. Justification that Vir Sanghvi and Barkha Dutt that they were only "in the process of gathering news and information" is not acceptable at all .There is cause enough for Press Council of India to get involved here and take action against both Vir Sanghvi and Barkha Dutt. They should pass strictures against these persons... We can start petition on internet (ipetition.com) get this thing started. We must build public pressure like in cases of Rathore, Arushi murder etc for action to be taken against these two journalists. It is more so as these are senior journalist, and action against them should serve as example against others
Radia Tapes - Itna Sannata Kyon Hai, Bhai ...(http://calamur.org/gargi/2010/11/21/radia-tapes-itna-sannata-kyon-hai-bhai/)This "sannata(silence)" has finaly proved that the so called "holier than thou Media" in this country has sold their souls. The general public is only fed with Genitically Modified diet which has been cultivated in the backrooms of power brokers and inept talk show glamour kings and queens,hoodwinking the masses by weaving a web of deciet and lies.We would now wait to see these Journalists host any talk shows as if they are the saviours.
These tapes validate the Power Elite theory- A sociological theory which states that a small group of people who control a disproportionate amount of wealth, privilege, and access to decision-making of global consequence. The Power Elite, though at the pinnacle in different spheres, share a common world view and often connive with each other to obtain results favourable to them as a whole.
Hats off to Hindu for covering this; While most of the people reading this knew about the tapes anyway, it was a big disappointing (until now) to see none of the media houses covering such a big news item….The insipid 2 min text response I got from NDTV was quite successful in mocking the collective and individual intellect of Indian citizens; ie, I now hate the channel more for the way they responded to the story. Barkha Dutt was never a person I looked up to; so I am not very disappointed in that respect; but about the integrity of people like Prannoy Roy? How can they just keep quiet and do nothing?
I am finally happy that the media blackout has been broken by the Hindu. Well done. I am now switching my daily newspaper to the Hindu. Well done Editorial board. Please continue to follow this story
With the publishing of this article, The Hindu remains as the last bastion of journalistic integrity in India.
By going through the article and comments by readers, it is imperative we all join together and work towards options to eradicate corruption in total from this country.I still hope we can adopt from countries like Singapore for good administrative practices well established, which has resulted in wiping out corruption completely. It is painful to see scams in full flow and social responsibility in total decline and all four pillars of democracy gradually weakened leading to total collapse, unless we all wake up to live realities and immediate correction to stop the menace. let us prove it in action now, rather than being a mute spectator.
What makes me to ponder is why the taped conversation was done only for 3 months. When the government came to know that this is such an explossive taped conversation, why did they not continue this taping business of all the guilty powerful people till they were arrested? What was the Home Minister, Finance Minister and the Prime Minister doing for the last two years? What was the Intelligence Bureau doing? What was CBI doing? What was Enforcement Directorate doing? The country is steeped in corruption.
It's good to have free press, but the press should also know it's limits. We have seen a lot of media trial, but who's is going to try them when they are in the wrong ? Most media channels have been silent to the Radia tapes but if one is about free press, why not discuss about them publicly if the concerned persons have nothing to hide.
"When there are fast moving Cabinet formation stories, you make every possible move to get the info out, those promises mean nothing".Yes,but there is a fundamental difference in Barkha's case. It's not just one solitary call. Its a series of five conversations(disclosed until now).And at each instance they indicate as to moving forward and things promised by the journalist getting executed. Niira Radia a lobbyist managing the affairs of the Tata's and Mukesh Ambani is not a five year fool to be fooled by such dangling of toffees.In one particular conversation Dutt promises to get 'GNA'(ghulam nabi azad) to speak to the DMK and in the subsequent conversation Raida replies that someone had indeed got back from the Congress.And the case of Sanghvi is indisputable because the article he wrote on the next day stands on record
I just love the comment made by SPJA..spot on. This is nothing but the ugly face of our system. It was long due that media's reality came out to open.Sardesai talks about ruining someones 'hard earned reputation'.It's a very logical point. Perhaps, these guys should have followed this principle when reporting about others.
Readers are judges. It was really unfortunate for the likes of "THE HINDU" to take such a long time to comeout with this balanced article. Let me request that the subjects whether good or bad be judged by readers and the media may report the pieces on as is where basis. That will really give readers the confidence that MEDIA is behind and fair in its place.
It is time the definition of "paid journalism" is widened to include such acts. The pressures of selling newspapers at Re. 1/- or 24-hour news channel without proper funding is showing up, not just greed. Blacking out news from specific states where development is galloping leaving the rest of the country far behind is another case; changing news lines quickly after highlighting them - for example the 2 G spectrum; not taking up the case of trillions of dollars stashed away in Swiss Banks all are examples of yellow journalism. It need not necessarily be what is printed, what is deliberately omitted from print is also an example. Press is the fourth pillar of democracy and married to Caesar, you have to be above board. Please do not let us down.
From a position of protectionism, the Hindu has finally dared to come out with this published article, which undoubtedly they should have done so the day Radia tapes were made public. However, better late than never. That Mr. Vinod Mehta, a favourite of NDTV, chose to expose the tapes regardless of the involvement of top media personalities itself is commendable. Transparency and impartiality of Media is of predominant importance and when gross violation takes place, the likes of Vinod Mehta reminds us what "Media Dharma" is meant to be.
Its shocking to see the media in India is now divided as well owned by political parties and industrial houses. I would not like to name the prominent media names, but are obviously inclined towards either ruling Congress or BJP. I am not surprised at all to see Barkha Dutt in the present 2G spectrum controversy. Her previous assignments in Afganistan and coverage of the North East are exaggerated which are acknowledged by media experts. Fourth estate is supposed to be another pillar of our democracy and constitution. I hope it remains the same. Oppurtunists like Barkha Dutt are a shame to media. I hope such tribe disappears.
It is indeed Interesting to observe that Ms.Dutt was conferred Padmashri. It is hard to de-link her pro-Congress lobbying and the Padmashri.
Peepli live come alive
Our Media has become so morally corrupt. There was a time when Media exposed corruption and politicians are atleast afraid of media. But nowadays Media is controlled by vested political groups. Let us not forget the paid nows. Everything has become commercialised. Sometime back i heard most of the VIP passes of Tirupathi temple are cornered by Media folk . In a growing economy, media groups are not attracting the right talent. Only people who dont have any other option is joining the media. In current situation when opposition parties are hand in glow with corruption ...with constant switch between alliances... the only way to expose corruption in society is by media. But media themselves have become corrupt. It reflects the sad story of the current state of media affairs.
Now cat is out of the bag. This is the media we have. The forth estate of democracy is also corrupted. It is shocking.
Hindu proves itself that it is one of the few good media establishments in India which provides the correct picture always.
There is no moral ground to hold on for all those involved in these tapes, after all they are not the only one to decide what, how and who should run this nation.There is something called public consciousness is still alive, though with slow breath....Truth cannot be hidden for long.
Interestingly,all the journalists in question were quite seriously engaging with the same source to get the info. The source seems to be omniscient.
I am so disappointed. DO you think India will progress any more. Too much competition in the market. You have to keep your advertisers happy. Companies that are ivolved spend 100 crores per year on advertising. They have to be kept in good books. Lot of discussions have happend in online media, very difficult to say who is influencing who.
Good to know that a mainstream newspaper is trying to put some light on this. All the major Channels are curiously quiet about this new scandal. While B. Dutt, V Sanghvi and Suhail are trying to brazen in out or offer lame excuses about following a story, it is clear that they were all part of the Radia network. I for one will not watch/support any Channel that employ these scumbags. It was funny to watch Suhail Seth trying to brazen it out by using the defence that "Are we are banana republic where any one can fix ministerial posts?" The whole story of the tapes : between the various players involved including Kani, Raja...was that they were jockeying for berths.
Thanks for covering this, Hindu. There is hope after all.
The way news is written, broadcast now a days - the way news houses partonize certain political parties and/or views, it is very very clear that there is a nexus between the two. I say "nexus" because, often, there is no concern on right/wrong - just peddle your view. Given an issue, a discerning viewer can already tell what a certain person of a certain channel would say. While this benefited political parties, the Congress mainly, because most of the English language press peddles its views - it has hurt the interests of NEWS itself. Where you cannot distinguish between news and views, media ceases to be what it is supposed to be - the 4th estate.
I commend HINDU for the objectivity and courage in publishing this story. I wish every one in TV and print follow the same practice.
Vir Sanghvi and Barkha Dutt should put the details of their credit card payments in public domain. They have been claiming that they are innocent because the telephone conversation doesnt prove any quid pro quo. So if they want to come clean, both Vir and Barkha should give the details of their credit card payments (and more importantly, who has been clearing it?) and also the details of the shares and equity they hold in the companies who benefitted from the open loot by Raja-Radia-Tata combine. Till then they are guilty of financial corruption and trying to influence the government policy and causing loss to exchequer. In a law-abiding country, they both would go to jail.
Well done for taking it up. Hindu has lived up to its name.
I am an avid reader of Hindu. I must say that I was disappointed till today that The Hindu did not have any article on this. I am finally happy that you have published the information. You have retained your reader.
The article has errors: Chawla, India Today's editor of language publications, appears to be offering HER "advice" on how to pursue an appeal in the Supreme Court. The same argument is echoed by Diptosh Mazumdar, national editor of CNN-IBN, who endorsed Ms Dutt's insistence that she had done nothing wrong. But Diptosh left CNN-IBN some months ago
As a long time reader, I have always considered The Hindu to be a rare beacon of journalistic integrity in the country, and much admired your newspaper's stand on the Paid News scandal. However, the silence on this issue over the past few days made me question the high regard I had for your newspaper. I would be grateful if the Reader's Editor commented on your stand on this extremely vital issue is, at least for restoring faith in the heart of a long time reader and well wisher of the newspaper.
Puhleez, today's readers aren't naive to swallow the line trotted out in defence. Who're the senior hacks trying to fool saying their job entails leading the Radias of the media underworld up the garden path?Haven't we heard similar pitches before? Think 'encounter specialists' Daya Nayak and Pradeep Sharma of the Mumbai Police. It was plain disgusting listening to the tapes. The cosy relationship was unmistakable. And even assuming the hacks were all stringing along, it's a no-brainer who stood to benefit from the many-to-one engagements. So many of the top editors eating out of the hands of a single PR consultant! But then, it was all understandable considering that Ms Niira Radia had managed to wrap around her little fingers two otherwise unfriendly behemoths of Indian Inc. Also, the total blackout of the Radia tapes in the mainstream media (with some honourable exceptions) too is understandable; it's choron-ki-biradri, pure and simple. And as for the apologists in the media, it's at best an anticipatory defence! (Yes, more Radia tapes are in the pipeline.) Now that the emperors straddling the media scene have been caught with their pants down, it'd be wise to leave it to the readers to judge for themselves.
Glad to see some media outlets are covering this story. Very disappointed that Times of India and many TV networks haven't covered this. For Barkha Dutt, Vir Sanghvi and Rajdeep Sardesai to say that audio tape conversations are just to get information means - that readers/listeners don't understand Enlgish or Hindi and public just need to trust us. Power and fame has corrupted these so called journalists.
Media report on their own fraternity - journalists have been same as they report useless stories.
Best way to analyse and rather come out with this story would be to compare the editorial/Tv reporting during and after the time of telephone conversation. This would tell us whether there was any compromise that has happened in reporting, which would also help Journos who may have done any wrong. Below conversation would might put a light afterall this conversation was only for sourcing info and not go between. NR: Now Maran says you give me coal and mines. My honest advice is you tell them, they need to tell him directly that we are happy because Kanimozhi has no issue even being an independent. But Azhagiri is now telling her you cannot accept independent charge if Maran remains a cabinet minister. Congress is sending messages through the media and through various sources that Maran is going around telling everyone that he is the only acceptable person. That's not correct, na? BD: I know. We have taken that off. (if she was not a go-between she would have not taken the msg off.)
First of all many thanks for having the courage to bring up this story. Though it has been fairly popular on you-tube/twitter/blogs, but the silence of mainstream print and electronic media was disturbing! Also Thanks to Open mag and Outlook for revealing the true faces of media-hypocrisy. As an average Indian citizen let me clarify, after listening to the leaked tapes, only the most naive would believe in the explanations of journalists (specially Vir and Barkha)! They can't take public for a ride with running corruption stories on A.Raja and at the same time instrumental in lobbying for a seat. Moving away from this story, I believe its a larger issue where not only "power corrupt" but "proximity to power also corrupts". Even though public faith has always been not very high on media which is infact rampantly biased (The Hindu being an exceptional case), the recent tapes have brought everything in the open. The larger social malice of corruption has also infected media reportings and behaviour of top-notch journalists. If a media medium looses credibility, I must say its nearly impossible to regain it. And by making all efforts to hide this story, these channels (NDTV in particular) is digging its own grave! Media also must come to the fact that today's reader (and viewer) isn't an idiot and can't be taken for a ride.
Appreciate Hindu did a opinion (at least) on this untouchable "Barkhagate". What i find intriguing is that in the whole of Radia tapes each of them is only talking business. Only Barkha and Vir seems to be the odd ones going beyond their usual business .This needs to be probed. Bring on the comments.
This is shocking. I used to regard these very journalists in very high regard and still think that some of them might not have done, what they did, with malicious intent but the media giving no coverage in-fact covering up the whole issue like this because its own fraternity is involved is really sad.
The minute dissection offered above is the secondary aspect. The primary aspect is the 'real' and usually hidden face of the system, propagated as democracy, the way this oligarchy run this country. And the role of so called independent media, working as PR industry of the corporate interests.
Too little, too late Hindu. My faith in you is shaken. This is the biggest story in the country.
I think the news channel NDTV ceased to be an objective reporter of news items since last so many years.They are trying to peddle elitist and redundant opinions for example live in relationships etc when scores of people are reeling under poverty. Was looking upon Pronoy Roy as a role model for so many years. Alas Barkha, you have let us down.
The corruption network in India is capturing every one. The day may come to consider a honest person as criminal and bill may be passed in parliment to put all honest persons in jail.
Whatever Outlook and Open have done it is in public interest.
Thank you.You have guts to print this shocking story with the names of the culprits!
Congrats The Hindu,at least you have shown courage to publish the ongoing scandal of media about power brokers masquerading as fourth estate.Save media from such unscrupulous elements.
Very interesting article published by The Hindu. Media people can have their own sources and resources for gathering news but should not be seen as 'fixers'. It is disheartening to note that anchors are biased when they are supposed to be immune from taking sides.
I felt Like laughing aloud, whenever Burkha Dutt reports. One Example: She was moderating a programme at NDTV about Islam and she didn't give people like Dr. Zakir Naik a chance to speak.
I would have been happy with some views, than mere news. The media houses are shying away from their responsibility to discuss the issue is a disgrace to the media freedom we have in our country.
In the long term and larger interest of the nation , this sort of power brokering in the garb of news gathering, sourcing, passing or peddling - by whatever name it is called should not be allowed to happen. But, unfortunately when despite the much touted measures of liberalisation, the government still has a tight control through perpetuation of the License Raj,that inevitably becomes a breeding ground for massive corruption and scams. These evils can be largely contained - if not totally eliminated - only when the government sticks to the only business of governance by focussing on internal security, external affairs, defence, monetary and fiscal management and global environmental concerns,and keep off from other creamy businesses.
Congrats on drawing up the courage to come out with this beaten about story in the internet. Others should draw inspiration from you. Reality cannot be suppressed and as the saying goes, " Truth will Out".
This seems to be one of the forms of paid news where editors of reputed newspapers like HT are willing to tilt their opinion in their editorial in the favor of one of the disputed party with whom they are in contact. I am really skeptical that in the future i will be able to give my hundred percent faith in the views of the two senior journalists mentioned here. Also will love to read an editorial by P.Sainath over this issue.
That is the way journalists have operated for years now. News gathering among senior journalists is just a pretense for either sucking up to the political powers of the day or lobbying either for themselves or for someone else. It is a mutually convenient arrangement where news stories are completely twisted or planted by senior editors/ proprietors or complete hacks barely a few months into the job. But more than the junior reporters it is the senior journalists who are responsible for the cesspool that journalism in India has become today. The juniors are too much in awe of the senior superstars , watch what is happening around them and then bide their time so that they too can extract their pound of flesh.
Radia tapes and the issues it throws up is an important story indeed. The question of ethics in journalism and accountability of media (and media houses) is something that cannot be pooh-poohed away. This question hits at the very core of the fourth estate---trust and credibility. The coverage, or lackof thereof, of this story is damning indictment of media and its lack of self-regulation/correction. It is somehow seen as personalised attack to dis-credit individuals (which might well be, but that's not the point) or is argued that there is no clear quid-pro-quo proved in these tapes and that they are un-authenticated after all. These arguments seem highly suspicious and expedient, given that these transcripts are part of a PIL in the Supreme Court. The subsequent `blackout' of the `Radia tapes' story by a major sections of the media gives us all a reason to despair. Instead of taking this story head-on and debating institutional mechanisms to maintain journalistic ethics, as well as evolving perhaps `ombudsman' like check on editors, editorials and opinion pieces, a major section of the media has skirted this issue, and like ostriches have put their head in the sand. This issue will not go away and will come back to bite if it is not addressed honestly and immediately. This is an emergency-like moment for the media and history will view this `blackout' unfavourably, and the individuals involved and their work will stand dis-credited. There are serious problems facing the country like corruption, indiscriminate urbanisation, flawed land aquisition, unequal wealth distribution, to name a few. All these requires policy interventions from the government. There will be concerted effort from the lobbyists to alter these policies to favour their respective (all powerful) clients. Media's role as a watchdog is vital to ensure that the `right' policy is promulgated. It can do so only when, like Ceaser's wife, it is above reproach. I hope the wider journalist community is ceased of the gravity of this issue, and hope that the media takes the necessary corrective measures sooner rather than later. PS: At the present moment, the media needs to introspect seriously. It however should also ask the question: who leaked these audio tapes at this time and why?
I am glad somebody broke the news here. Silence of The Hindu on this important issue was very depressing for me.
I am shocked to see that except The Hindu and few other media houses, none of other mainstream media have even cared to cover this story. It sounds like if its politicians, its okay to criticize them but if its us (media), we should also stay quiet about it.
At last someone had guts to say something and am thankful that The Hindu did. Reading this paper since last 20 years of life isn't a waste after all.
It is not rocket science to infer that the recordings form the mere tip of the iceberg. The alleged deal-brokering and lobbying by Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi, apart from tearing apart the basic ethics of journalism, is an outrageous and unmistakably sinister conspiracy that threatens the very foundations of Indian democracy. For a national newspaper like The Hindu to run a cautiously worded, near-apologetic column after an unexplained delay of ONE week is all the more sorry when international media like Wall Street Journal and Washington Post have been running this news for days already. Your article itself appears to be a grudging attempt to appear balanced in the face of an overwhelming online reaction by concerned citizens and viewers against the collective, deafening silence of the Indian media.
Thanks to The Hindu for finally speaking on this topic. As they say, better late than never! Appreciate your fair analysis and moral courage to take the names of influential media people, while the large T.V and news media houses in the country have blacked out from discussing the story in public. It is quite likely that no ulterior motive can be established through these tapes, but it does raise the concern of journalists going way beyond their bounds of duty, and becoming celebrities and power lobbyers themselves, instead of focusing on basic journalistic duties. Also, I would have appreciated if at least one T.V channel aired these tapes, and had Ms. Barkha Dutt or Mr. Vir Sanghvi on the panel to justify their stance at great length. As a young Indian empowered and aware of this through social media forums such as blogs, Facebook and Twitter, I was deeply saddened that less fortunate common men in my country are not aware of these tapes at all. It was a matter of great shame that what was known to a million people on Twitter, and what was discussed in detail on Washington Post and Wall Street Journal was not discussed by my countries leading journalists. The Hindu has partially corrected that concern that we live in the emergency days of censored state sponsored media.
good article and nice to see the Hindu discussing it. Pity that it took so much time for this news to be covered.
My last hope is "The Hindu" to take lead and uncover this story. Someone of the stature of P Sainath is capable of leading the Indian Media out of this sludge. This is yellow journalism at its peak.
Many thanks to Outlook and Open for bringing this issue to light and we should applaud Prashant Bhushan for raising the PIL with solid evidence on this 2G scam issue. The very fact that it took 4 days for mainstream Indian newspapers to even print this story goes to show how "untouchable" and "imperial" some of the established Indian media houses and its representatives have become. So the moment there was reason to raise questions on some of the stars of Indian journalism, we have their media houses and the rest of the media establishment keeping it all hush-hush as if all this was hog-wash. Thankfully Indians are not so naive and we do have some press that does not take sides. What is exposed is the dirty nexus between some of the biggest Indian media houses, journalists, corporate houses and politicians. Shame on media houses such as NDTV, CNN and shame on Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi for cheating Indian people blatantly in the name of true and fair journalism. Their crimes should not go unpunished if Indian democracy is true to itself.
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