There has been a gross simplification of the issues involved in the exposures in the Radia tapes on the lack of integrity among mediapersons. In order to understand how exactly journalists really function it is necessary to understand the overall context in which they operate and clarify some of the persistent myths about what the profession is all about. Four myths in particular need to be dissected: That it enjoins...

Not given alternative plot for his land acquired 18 years ago Unlettered Bir Singh allowed to read a file and made to sign on a blank paper Information Commissioner terms it “an open robbing of a poor man by the state” In the season of scams and collusion of the powerful, it should surprise nobody if a poor farmer, whose land was acquired by the Delhi government 18 years ago, is still searching...

Between the technical rigour and finality of CAG audit and people's airing of grievances, a new audit system that subscribes to, and strengthens, open government may be waiting to be born. The new system is envisaged as one where the CAG’s formal audit includes the relatively new concept of community-led social audit . The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Guarantee Act, 2005 (MGNREGA) presents an opportunity to do this. Traditionally, auditing is a...

Amidst a high-pitched BJP campaign for a JPC probe into the 2G spectrum allocation scam, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) Vinod Rai is all set to appear before Public Accounts Committee (PAC). PAC is scrutinising the sensational CAG report, claiming massive irregularities in the telecom deal. Rai, according to sources, will depose before the PAC on Monday. Interestingly, PAC chairman Murli Manohar Joshi, a senior BJP leader, has started going about...

In a 12 December interview, Director-General of the J&K Police (JKP) Kuldeep Khoda was questioned by Tribune journalist Jupinderjit Singh about complaints that the JKP was ignoring RTI applications.  At one point, Mr. Khoda stated that the Police  “will not entertain [RTI applications] on investigations of any case,” explaining this information “could help the accused due to which the department generally discouraged such applications.” The DGP’s stance is problematic.  On one...