Journalists have been source of information for administration since the time of 2nd World War. India has imported the style of engaging journos for gathering intelligence on politics as well as crimes. Trading of information between the journalist fraternity and Intelligence agencies went on rise and reached a point of equilibrium; so much so that ethics ceased to exist. Some did it for status, some for career while some for money.
The ugliest form of info-sharing journalism was seen during the 2G spectrum scam when we heard Barkha Dutt and Vir Sanghvi operating as touts; amidst the political lobbying that was on for the portfolio of Telecom Minister. It is government’s kind approach towards the journalistic fraternity that neither of them is made an accused.
Shivani Bhatnagar made a posthumous impact upon the journalist fraternity when the hidden details of her relationship with some bureaucrats and politicians were revealed during investigations. Unholy proximity to the subjects of journalism is the root or fundamental evil of all the tragedies that journos have had to face; either by virtue of loss of name or due to some legal consequences.
Mumbai being the commercial capital of India; has some weighty examples of unholy nexus between journalists and their subjects such as officials, politicians and underworld dons. The sensational J. Day murder case has brought to the fore this nexus more clearly than all earlier occasions. Having covered the crime beat for around three decades, Dey had naturally developed affiliations in legitimate as well as illegitimate walks of life. Bootleggers, matka-den operators are regular paymasters of crime reporters residing in respective areas. Visionless and routine crime reporters thrive on their money and retire peacefully. Dey-like ambitious reporters aim high and possess heavy appetite. Their morals become flexible in the initial period of their career and later vanish. Switching of loyalties is not a great affair when it comes to money. It may not be so frequent in underworld as it is in journalism. Whether it is for higher pay-scale in another newspaper or for a “heavier Diwali” by a gangster; a journo can swing like a Pilipino bi-sexual. He/she can switch loyalties so fast that even seasoned politicians shall envy the promptness and swiftness of such a journalist.
Continue reading on www.afternoonvoice.com
