Corruption: Indian Media in Dock
Like the on going scams of various kinds in the country, the credibility of Indian media groups seems to have hit at all time low notwithstanding many a scam they claim to have exposed in recent months. It is another matter that the same “scam story” is marked exclusive on multiple channels or in various newspapers. Now it is media versus media.
After the paid news scandal – when it came to light that billions of rupees are paid to popular newspapers, magazines and news channels by influential politicians, corporate czars, Bollywood stars to get distinct visibility – the latest to hit the media houses is an allegation that they acted as lobby groups for one or the other party in the latest 2G spectrum scam, that is alleged to have cost the exchequer billions of rupees.
It is naïve to believe that wide spread corruption in all sections of Indian life, including judiciary, could spare media where the competition is intense. However, what should heart media is its holier than thou image. So obsessed is India’s “world class” media with the internal affairs that rescue of Chile miners or those killed in the New Zealand mine explosions do not make into prime time slot or get a few lines on the front pages. There is race to outdo others, raise the Target Rating Points (TRP) or circulation at whatever the cost. So you have the front two pages exclusively of the Times of India Bangalore, November 20, 2010 edition ironically devoted to an advertisement of telecom company. Every advertiser is welcome: a political party, a corporate house or marriage invitation through a newspaper. You just have to throw money to have your voice heard. The secretive paid news format is different ball game altogether were interests of all the parties – except the reader or viewer - are taken care with utmost caution.
Now, the tapes have emerged with revelations of conversations between media persons and political lobbyists. The names of India’s celebrity NDTV anchor Barkha Dutt and Hindustan Times columnist Vir Sanghvi have been dragged into controversy with allegations that they lobbied for certain political masters and corporate biggies. The NDTV has issued swift denial on its website in response to the “Open Magazine” cover story dated November 20, 2010 in which the anchor’s alleged conversation with alleged corporate lobbyist Niira Radia's is presented in way that is considered defamatory. NDTV website claims that it is clear misrepresentation of conversations between Barkha Dutt and Nira Radia. Another magazine “Outlook India” in its special focus “Power Tapes” details the nexus between journalists, politicians, babus (bureaucrats), corporate houses. “Smear campaign astounding. Onus on Open and Outlook to prove quid-pro quo of any kind, before vilifying individuals and their work”, says Dutt in her tweet.
Is it the dog eating dog syndrome as India’s journalists fight it out in the open or is it a just commercial fall-out they are worried about? Despite the constitutional freedom granted to Indian media, most of them have failed their citizens not withstanding some honorable exceptions. The nexus between those in power and media are so explicit that sometimes government honors media houses as the best in some category while the media – the TV channels in particular - pays it back by honoring those in power as the person of the year and so on! The channels and publications organize Bollywood-style events and honor virtually every influential minister and corporate honcho. The Press Council of India virtually does nothing as it has no powers of any kind. True to its image it has remained “watch dog”.
As the fight takes curious turns on “news channel scams” millions of Indians would rather switch over to titillating programs such Big Boss (IV) or Rakhi Ka Insaaf (again on NDTV’s sister channel) although they are as controversial albeit for different and somewhat likable reason: vulgarity .
Gopal Sutar
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