#barkhagate #radiagate... the tags, hashes, searches, the terms may be different..The slimy underlying truth remains the same. That journalistic 'integrity and ethics' are now just restricted to "Key Issue Lectures" in Journalism schools. The can that has been opened now, has brought out different worms-the integrity worm, the ethics worm, the honesty worm, the courier worm etc. These are issues that should have been in discussion long ago. These are issues that need to be talked about openly by editors to cub reporters...but then wait a minute...what does a cub reporter do if the editor is the one at fault here?
This is the land of media. The land of powerful men and women (And please Barkha Dutt cut the 'feminist sexist' crap please!) where the real stories remain hidden and the ones that you as a reader or viewer read or see are just shallow reports. There is an underground cellar here where the stories that need not be and should not be reported are pushed to. Where so-called cub or junior reporters are discouraged from 'investigation'.
This story is not just about one Barkha Dutt who according to her, was 'gullible and missed a story'. But also that of the changing editorial policies of media houses across the country. Where news channels are started with motives, where journalists are no longer the 'watch dogs' but are the 'power brokers'; 'the blackmailers'; This story is of the larger issue of changing media roles. Of a media that is toothless (and deliberately at that) but wealthy. This is the story of the 'fourth pillar' of democracy's changing role to that of 'courier' and 'wealth accumulator'.
It is also the story of the disappearing (or disappeared!) lines between a journalist and a PR person. Of the changing motives of both the sides. Of turning a blind eye to legitimate stories.Of hiding information from the public. This is the story about the fight for unfiltered information.
But, will the media gurus and so-called who's who take the responsibility of clearing the muck thats swallowed Indian media? Do they have the balls to take these issues head on?? Will this issue to be forgotten like the 'paid news' story?
I am a cynic. And i believe that would be the case. Endless blogposts like these would be written, columns published, debates held and a month later, the issue is forgotten. Will 'Padmashri' Barkha Dutt who attacked Manu Joseph on her show last night about his failure to 'follow up', follow up this story? Her own story? Will Vir Sanghvi do that?
And will we remain mute spectators to all the injustices and scams around us?
