Mar 20, 2005 09:42 PM
5416 Views
(Updated Apr 30, 2005 02:56 PM)
People love to snoop on others. The main reason for such an interest is that those under surveillance have no clue that they are being watched. Under such circumstances the individual is no longer inhibited and acts in radically different ways than he would have in the presence of others. This is the principle on which voyeurs, producers of TV programmes like MTV Bakra, undercover agents and the famous Tehelka sting journalists work.
This being said, it is not difficult to understand the fact that the entire Indian journalist fraternity today stands divided over the use of sting operations to unearth (or I would rather call it to embarrass as in the recent India tv case) the wrong doings. Tehelka started it but the fad seems to be catching up and in the name of sting irresponsible mediamen are stooping low to yellow journalism. For them the content is secondary to revenue generation. So, as long as the content brings back the money it will be published and broadcast no matter what.
An unwritten code in journalism states that public enlightenment is the forerunner of justice and the foundation of democracy. This can also be called the unofficial preamble of journalism. However journalists (editors) today are like entrepreneurs. Their sole objective is to sell the newspaper or raise the TRP ratings of the channels various shows. Pursuing such endeavors they find it suitable and to their advantage to pour the general journalist ethics and standards down the drain. Of such futile endeavors comes the most recent India Tvs voyeuristic sting operation.
Not many knew if a channel of this kind even existed, till Rajat Sharma pulled out a cat from his magical hat. Of course the cat meowed a lot and generated sufficient curiosity. The purpose of such sting operation is beyond my comprehension but seeing the recent uprising in the channels popularity I can see that India Tv has formed a niche for itself. Probably its target audience (the villages of UP and Bihar, Noida, etc.), will now tune in more often. The programming is attuned to their needs and style. Rajat Sharma is not only an editor but also shrewd businessman. Alas this wily combination will affect Indian journalism if more such patented professionals crop up.
Indian journalism/media is doing well. It has come out of its nascent stage and expanding each day. However with greater load come greater responsibilities. During recent years the Indian press has been very much in the public eye. It has brought to surface some of the worst stories along with crucial evidences. However behind each such outbreak lies another story. The methodology employed- was it proper and justified.
Operation Westend is one such example where a bunch of journalist became master journalist after they uncovered the shady defence deals. However that is a different story, the objective was genuine (or so it seems). This is why the role of responsible media is indispensable and cannot be ruled out. Also what Tehelka did was not an isolated incident. This kind of journalism has been in practice in the West; particularly the United States and Britain.
Private lives of `public figures' and private lives of private figures are often exposed by journalists looking for sensational stories. President Clinton and Princess Diana were the most prominent targets in recent times. Journalists can now become super peeping-toms with the help of hidden cameras and high-tech surveillance gadgets. And to absolve themselves of criminal intent, the sordid details of many such ''investigations'' are thrust on unsuspecting people, claiming that a public interest is being served.
The audience will watch anything that is being served to them. It is left up to responsible mediamen to include in their programs content that can be deemed suitable. Also those who preach sermons and point finger at others should well look at their structures first. Such practices (Shakti Kapoors kind) are prevalent in media too. Will Rajat Sharma please stand up and pull out a story on this Probably if Rajat was a responsible media man he would have employed methodologies that were just. Even the audience would have been satisfied then. If this is not a case of gaining quick popularity then what else can it be
Most certainly Rajats advice to young budding journalists would be If you want to become rich follow the path of cheap sting. Am I correct Sharmaji
My understanding in this entire story is that one cannot exploit someone unless someone is ready to be exploited. Whatever transpired was a result of mutual understanding between two adults (only one did not know that he was being taped). This is truly not sting journalism but a case of bad Indian voyeurism.
