By Akshita Mathur
The main stream media has often left us thirsty for information, with the dearth thereof. In the age of “fake-news” contrasted by the reality of an increasingly complex world – there is little action the public can take without reliable news. Fortunately, a recent expose via a sting-operation lay bare the claims – that the Indian media is no exception to the international norm.
It is common knowledge that the Indian media does not hold a high position in the World Press Freedom Index (2017), coming 136th on the 180-nation index. On the 25th of May 2018, a non- profit journalism company called Cobrapost published a series of 27 videos for their sting operation titled ‘Operation 136’. Aimed at exposing corruption within our media, the company set out an undercover reporter under the alias of ‘Acharya Atal’ (Push Sharma) – masquerading as a political & religious leader.
The cause for most alarm is that the news of this sting was buried under various other stories – a blatant cover-up attempt. On the 29th of May, instead of addressing these claims, Times Now instead chose to hold a 2-hour long debate on an ongoing rape case with no new insights, sharing restricted information. The Times Group, in their defense, offered a weak claim that its executives were performing a ‘reverse-sting’ on Atal Acharya, claiming he was a ‘dubious character’. The company was also served with an injunction, which Cobrapost has promised to challenge. This stands as a major hurdle to free press. The sting showcases media house executives negotiating price and off record methods of payment – displaying a comfortable sense of familiarity with such practices. This form of corruption is detrimental to the integrity of the Indian democracy, especially in the lead up to an election year. Atal was able to contact senior leaders associated with the Times Media group, and Hindustan Times etc.
Such allegations of media moguls letting commercial interests take precedent over democracy are hard to deny. In this noise of accusations & denials, it is important not to lose perspective, and recognise the corrosive effects of commerce directly interacting with the fourth pillar of democracy and leading to a loss of journalistic integrity.
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