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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | When journalists abandon their conscience by Seema Mustafa

When journalists abandon their conscience by Seema Mustafa

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published Published on Dec 8, 2010   modified Modified on Dec 8, 2010

Media "stars" named in the Niira Radia tapes were all on television in Spanish inquisition programmes to defend themselves. Unfortunately, the ruse did not work, as all covered themselves with more dirt, and were unable to explain why they were allowing a corporate lobbyist to instruct and direct them as to not only who they should call, but what they should write.

One struck a belligerent note, almost shouting at the editor of Open magazine for not getting her version and charging him with not knowing politics. It required another one of the editors asked by NDTV to appear on the one hour show/drama to remind her that they had been invited with the express purpose of questioning her about her involvement and not to discuss the larger issue of media ethics. Another speaking from a "balcony" in some foreign land, was on a more apologetic note, but at the same time insisted that he was innocent and had done nothing wrong. A third was his usual aggressive self, twisting words in his own tapes to insist that he had only had a normal conversation with Radia. No one on the show reminded him that he had told Radia that Mukesh Ambani was not tackling the judges correctly, and when asked to elaborate had in a mealy mouthed kind of way said that Mukesh was trusting those who were known not to keep things to themselves.

All three — Barkha Dutt, Vir Sanghvi and Prabhu Chawla — did not cover themselves in glory and actually damned themselves further through these television appearances. The editors grilling Barkha said as much, as all four made it clear they were not convinced and even asked her to issue an unmitigated apology. Which really brings one to the essence of what she and Vir said: that they were basically leading on a source, had made none of the phone calls they had promised, and done nothing to compromise themselves or the profession. It is clear from the tapes that Radia was a friend, and not a source, and that it was not they but she who was leading them into speaking to various persons to ensure that Raja was included in the Union Cabinet. Raja's name might or might not have figured in the conversation, but Radia's interest was very clear.

Journalists, by the very nature of their profession, come close to politicians, bureaucrats and various sections of society. They often dine and wine together, journalists love advising everyone, so they do that as well, they take part in seminars and conferences, they take up issues, they are part of delegations on issues of social concern, in fact they have a multi-faceted role that often extends beyond the strict parameters of the profession. The problem arises when journalists leave the driving seat and allow others to tell them what to do, to sink their conscience for power or money or both, to play games that do not concern them such as who should be in the Cabinet, or who should meet whom and what is worse, ally with corporate lobbyists to do their bidding.

Not a single politician or lobbyist or industrialist should have the courage to approach a journalist to tell him or her what he wants done. He should be so terrified and in awe of the journalist that he does not dare ask the scribe to lobby for him in any way. This is what journalism is all about, independence and honesty to a point where no politician and no bigwig, no matter how rich or powerful, can take a journalist for granted, and yet be sure that facts will not be twisted, and perceptions slanted.

There is a thin line between friendship and complicity and the journalists on the Radia tapes crossed it to a point where they compromised not just themselves, but the companies for which they work as well as the profession itself.

There are many journalists who have crossed into politics, becoming Members of Parliament. But as veteran scribe Kuldip Nayar says, this is possible only if they leave journalism for at least the period they are in politics. Journalists are not supposed to be objective, they cannot be in a country swarming with the poor and deprived, state terror, violations of freedoms and justice. They are supposed to lean on the side of the oppressed and the victimised, and report the truth without fear or favour. Not embrace corporate lobbyists.


The Sunday Guardian, December, 2010, http://www.sunday-guardian.com/a/1114


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