The Hindu : New Delhi News : "Truth should be guiding principle of sting operation''

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 19, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

"Truth should be guiding principle of sting operation''

Staff Reporter

Journalists should work and expose wrongdoings of those in power

NEW DELHI: : Asserting that sting operations should support the cause of Indian democracy, noted lawyer and former Union Minister, Ram Jethmalani, on Monday said truth should be the guiding principle of any such operation that should help in better functioning of a democracy. "The objectives and means of a sting operation should be pure that should not only educate and enlighten people but also warn government about its shortcomings."

Taking part in a discussion on "The Ethics of Sting Journalism" organised by the C P Ramachandran Trust in the Capital, Mr. Jethmalani said all governments like secrecy and wanted that people should not know about their evil designs. Corrupt government functionaries might even think of incarcerating its opponents (those involved in sting operations), but journalists need to continue with their jobs.

The Supreme Court has safeguarded the right to speech and expression, so under this purview journalists should work and expose wrongdoings of those in power, he added.

The Editor of Tehelka magazine, Tarun Tejpal, said sting journalism was not meant for entertainment, it was a serious business.

The line of sting journalism had changed with the passage of time and was here to survive. It has gained prominence recently as a sense of incredible unaccountability had crept in the Indian system of governance which was a big cause of worry. "A political system can be broadly divided into three streams - government, business class and media. While the government and business class have always complimented each other, it was only the media that has been playing the role of watchdog.

It would be dangerous for democracy if the media aligned with the other too," Mr. Tejpal added. Cautioning against the misuse of cheaply available technology and manipulation of output by media, senior journalist, Nalini Singh, said she supported expose but was against any kind of entrapment. Journalist have every right to expose wrongdoings of VIPs as leaving them unchecked would further embolden them, causing much damage to society, but the focus should be on investigative journalism.

Defending the recent sting operations carried out by his news channel India TV, Suhaib Ilyasi, said they were stories based on facts and investigation.

It was not at all aimed at gaining popularity, but to expose how young girls were being sexually exploited in the Indian film industry.

"The fact is that in every profession and field, this menace is rampant.

But instead of supporting us, people are questioning our motive. Some vested interests are even carrying out false propaganda against us". he added.

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