Sept. 20. 2007. Rajesh Chopra.  LiveIndia.Com
Is the fourth foot to our existing democracy called 'media' in turmoil today because of the neglect of one news channel? The entire media is being questioned today and has been forced to be answerable to the law. Is this commending step for our country’s future?

Indian media has played a critical role for stirring up the conscience of the people, and bringing forth evil in the society. Media has achieved great heights with the latest technology and it has become a cardinal part in the lives of everyone. Today the absence of media in our lives is something next to impossible. The presence of media in our society assures us of justice in every way. A common man can distrust government but not the media. And hence any finger raised over media puts a question over our democracy too.

The IB ministry today is exercising ceaseless efforts to somehow apprehend control over the media. If these efforts are achieved then it will be a great setback for the society since the success of sting operations in disclosing the truth is indispensable. Sting operations can only check corruption. 

The sting operations revealed the truth about the corrupt politicians who are idols to people today. It even acquainted us regarding craving of big bureaucrats for more and more money. The truth about existing two facet policemen has been disclosed several times.

But are these sting operations a remedy to the social malaise of corruption? Corruption is so much entrenched in the livelihoods of every man today that now it has become an inevitable part and we have become oblivious to its presence. 

But to stress, sting operations have certainly created a fear among the people. A wave of fear certainly runs down the conscience of a policeman or any common person before taking bribe. This is the reason as to why efforts are being made to confine sting operations. These people fear such operations as they may put an end to their 'under table income'.

Along with this, I would even emphasize on the responsibility borne by the news channels. In Usha khuranas case, the argument given by the news channels that it was a mistake by their reporter is not justified.

Just a simple statement in no means ends the culpability of the news channel. News channels today try to make highlights out of clumsy happenings. A politician dancing in a party becomes a highlight. Is any politician deprived with such rights of dancing? Is it a crime? Similarly policemen watching bargirl's dance is also brought into limelight. If on the contrary there had been film stars performing then would it be a crime? The dances in the reputed award functions are no less then these dances and the people from all societies are present there. When these functions have been accepted by the society then why do these small functions come into limelight to such an extent?

The media once needs to restructure itself the way it was because somewhere seeing the success of such operations it has itself come on a wrong track. The news channels should take the whole sole charge of eliminating corruption and regaining the trust of a common man in its working and effectiveness. And our duty lies in enforcing the independence of media in every possible way and to support media even in times of adversity.
Other Articles From Rajesh Chopra...

Broadcast Bill 2006

I would like to know what you think about this article
my e-mail ID is --- rajeshchopra@aol.in
(Subject:- Sting)