FIGHTING CORRUPTION: Chairman of the Manipal Group Ramdas Pai (right) congratulating Tarun Tejpal, journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka, after presenting the ICPA-Manipal Award to Mr. Tejpal and Lokayukta N. Venkatachala (centre), in Bang alore on Friday. — Photo: K. Bhagya Prakash

Bangalore: Parliament should not ban "sting journalism" or try to regulate sting operations through guidelines, Tarun Tejpal, journalist and Editor-in-Chief of Tehelka, said here on Friday. He said he was opposed to Parliament's proposal to regulate sting journalism.

Mr. Tejpal was delivering the keynote address at the 12th National Journalism Conference, organised by the Indian Catholic Press Association (ICPA) in association with the Manipal Group, on the topic, "Sting journalism and the future of the media".

He said self-regulation should be practised by journalists and they could conduct sting operations in an ethical way. Sting journalism acted as a deterrent against corruption in a society where there was constant abuse of power, corrupt practices and violation of human rights. But, in recent times, sting operations had degenerated into entertainment, titillation and blackmail, he said.

Mr. Tejpal said: "Some television channels are crossing the line between public and private life. The State, the police and journalists have no right to intrude into anyone's private life unless their actions have an impact the public or they are breaking the law of the land." Journalists should speak for those who have neither money nor power and should take the side of the underdog and the wronged. "People with money and power have the resources to get their story told. Journalists should give voice to the underprivileged," he said.

"The press and electronic media should not be obsessed with trivia. The soul of journalism is the asking of uncomfortable questions," he said.

Mr. Tejpal said communalism was the biggest threat to the nation today. "Vested interests are always trying to bring you to shame for the language you speak and the caste you belong to or the clothes you wear."

Lokayukta N. Venkatachala said sting journalism was not very different from investigative journalism, and journalists should not be afraid to expose corrupt politicians and officials. "Journalists should take courage and conduct sting operations. They will not be liable for contempt of court action if they do so," he said.

Four journalists were conferred awards at the programme — L. Ajith and C.K. George from Kerala, Subhash Prasad Charles from Varanasi and Vincent D'Souza from Chennai.

The ICPA Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Fr. Alphonso Elengikal, former Editor of Teenager magazine.

Chairman of the Manipal Group Ramdas Pai presented the ICPA-Manipal Award to Mr. Tejpal and Mr. Venkatachala for their efforts to fight corruption.

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