Media Watch

Is NDTV Coca Cola Campaign good CSR?

2011-09-18T22:41:00.001+05:30

NDTV is running a Coca Cola NDTV campaign. NDTV states the purpose of this campaign as

In keeping with the NDTV philosophy of promoting critical issues, NDTV in partnership with Coca-Cola India, CAF & UN-Habitat launched the SUPPORT MY SCHOOL campaign on the 24th of January, 2011. This is a nationwide attempt to create Awareness on Water and Sanitation, Environment, Healthy Active Living.

The stated purpose of the campaign is Noble indeed but Media Watch is concerned about long term effect of such campaigns of young Children

Harmful effects of carbonated softdrinks is well documented. This is what Wikipedia states

most nutritionists advise that Coca-Cola and other soft drinks can be harmful if consumed excessively, particularly to young children whose soft drink consumption competes with, rather than complements, a balanced diet. Studies have shown that regular soft drink users have a lower intake of calcium, magnesium,ascorbic acid, riboflavin, and vitamin A.^[78] The drink has also aroused criticism for its use of caffeine, which can cause physical dependence.^[79] A link has been shown between long-term regular cola intake and osteoporosis in older women (but not men).^[80] This was thought to be due to the presence of phosphoric acid, and the risk was found to be same for caffeinated and noncaffeinated colas, as well as the same for diet and sugared colas.

As part of the campaign, Depicted on the school building itself is a giant poster that identifies Coca-Cola as the sponsor of this campaign.

Does this not constitute advertising of Coca-cola to young children? Is it not responsibility of corporates who run such campaigns to educated the young Kids on harmful effects of such drinks?

It is interesting to note that CSR policy of coca cola states

We have a global Responsible Marketing Policy that covers all our beverages, and we do not market any products directly to children under 12. This means we will not buy advertising directly targeted at audiences that are more than 35% children under 12. Our policy applies to television, radio, and print, and, where data is available, to the Internet and mobile phones.
In 2010, we evolved our global Responsible Marketing Policy and redefined the appropriate audience threshold for children's programming from audiences that are more than 50% children younger than 12 years of age to audiences that are more than 35% children younger than 12. This means we will not buy advertising directly targeted at audiences that are more than 35% children younger than 12. Our policy applies to all of our beverages and the media outlets we use, including television, radio and print and, where data is available, Internet and mobile phones.

NDTV should clarify on whether it has taken precautions to educate young children on harmful effects of consumption of softdrinks such as coca cola?

Also, NDTV should clarify whether this campaign is in compliance with stated CSR policy of Coca Cola?

So called Congress Apology for 1984 Sikh riots

2011-09-16T22:32:00.001+05:30

One has to give it to Media for their relentless pursuit to crucify Modi.

After Supreme Court refrained from passing any order on a petition seeking Narendra Modi's prosecution for the 2002 riot, Gujarat riot cottage industry has lost all legal grounds to vilify Modi. Having lost Legal ground, now they have started a new line of argument which hinges on Moral ground. And often quoted example is congress apology to Sikhs for 1984 riot.

It is important, we understand what did PM Manmohan Singh actually said and what he did not say

The so called apology came during an intervention in a discussion on an Opposition-sponsored motion in Rajya Sabha on the Nanavati Commission's report. Manmohan Singh said on 11 August 2005 (21 years after actual incident).

I have no hesitation in apologizing not only to the Sikh community but the whole Indian nation because what took place in 1984 is the negation of the concept of nationhood and what enshrined in our Constitution. So, I am not standing on any false prestige. On behalf of our Government, on behalf of the entire people of this country, I bow my head in shame that such thing took place.

I can only conclude by saying that all of us should ask forgiveness of those who have suffered in this tragedy.

So lets try to decipher what he actually said. Initially, He says

“I have no hesitation in apologizing”

Is PM Manmohan Singh asking forgiveness on personal capacity or as PM of the country? In any case, he was not the one who led or motivated the Sikh riots. It was then congress PM Rajiv Gandhi who gave moral ground by saying "When a giant tree falls, the earth below shakes" and It was congress top leaders Jagdish Tytler, Dharam Das Shastri, Sajjan Kumar who practically led the riots from front.

So it is Congress leadership and not Manmohan Singh who should have apologized. Nothing in the statement indicates remorse on part of Congress leadership. Actually, if anything actually Manmohan Singh defends congress in later part of the speech. He says

The Report is before us, and one thing it conclusively states is that there is no evidence, whatsoever, against the top leadership of the Congress Party. That lie, which has over the last 21 years been used to poison the minds of the Sikh youth, stands nailed conclusively.

It really takes a stretch of imagination to say Jagdish Tytler & Sajjan Kumar were not among top leadership of congress. As if this is not enough he actually calls Jagdish Tytler one of perpetuators of crime who was named by Nanwati commission - "a valued colleague”

One of my colleagues, a valued colleague, has tendered his resignation.

Then PM continues to say

On behalf of our Government, on behalf of the entire people of this country, I bow my head in shame that such thing took place.

No sane person will justify loss of innocent life. Be it congress or BJP and when such a thing happens we all should hang our head in shame “that such thing took place”

Even in case of Gujarat riot, Then PM Vajpayee tallest leader of BJP himself expressed anguish that ‘such a thing happened’. He had said

On the Gujarat riots, the Prime Minister said he condemned them from day one. However, he had said that the riots could not be seen in isolation from the Godhra train massacre.
"When I saw the relief camps in Ahmedabad , I had not realised the gravity of the manner in which Hindus had been burnt alive in Godhra. I first thought this was just another riot, but I realised just what had sparked it off. I do not justify what happened in Gujarat, (but) what happened in Godhra was wrong. What happened post-Godhra was also wrong,"

Finally PM concludes by saying

I can only conclude by saying that all of us should ask forgiveness of those who have suffered in this tragedy.

No Mr. PM please don’t make common citizens of India who stood shoulder to shoulder with Sikhs brothers partner in congress crime. We were protecting Sikhs when mobs led by congress leaders were hounding them.

Following is text of his actual speech

Manmohan Singhs so called Apology

IE manufactures nonexistent Sangh ‘divisions’ on the issue of endosulfan

2011-04-29T09:08:00.001+05:30

IE in its article Sangh Parivar stands divided on ‘swadeshi’ endosulfan reports

contrary to the party’s official view that it should be banned — the Swadeshi Jagran Manch has now opposed the countrywide ban on endosulfan.

IE also reports that Swadeshi Jagran Manch wrote that

“In the past, it was observed that lot of foreign funds were being used for imposing ban on manufacturing and use of endosulfan, where the motives are different and against the interests of the Indian farmers,”

Media Watch checked with Sri Gurumurthy co-convenor of the Swadeshi Jagaran Manch and we were informed that SJM is of the view that Endosulfan should be banned. Following is the letter which was written to PM

IE also quotes recommendation of a committee appointed by Gujarat Government. Media Watch fails to understand how can recommendation of a committee be taken as difference of views within Sangh Parivar? Is IE saying that BJP government should have influenced the committee to give a report which rhymes with BJP’s views?

ToI launched ‘Gandhi Gen-Five’ way back in 2009

2011-04-20T11:35:00.001+05:30

ToI officially launched Gandhi Gen five from Priyanka - Rehan (7) and Maira (5) during the auspicious occasion of “"canvassing for mamaji" . The new offering from Gandhi family was escorted by an old loyal former pradhan of Chandosi gram sabha Kanhaiya. Even though nation has no doubts about capabilities of any new product from Gandhi Family, ToI quoted Mr. Singh (who also helped Launch Gandhi Gen 4) on their capabilities with an old Awadhi saying,

"Kathi ki bili bhi gungunati hai (even a cat in the house of a katha singer knows how to hum)."

He didnot clarify if it only hums or whether it catches mice also? We guess being Katha Singers cat brings its own benefits.

He also added how Gandhi Gen 5 needs no tutoring

"the two took to meeting people like fish takes to water". . "Gandhi parivar ke bachcho ko bhala kya samjhane ki zaroorat hai (where's the need to train a Gandhi kid),"

Of course, who would disagree. Its all ingrained and preprogrammed into the special genes some may say pedigree. The villagers narrate stories of how one of them used to fly rockets even when he was 10 years old. I am sure it might be an exaggeration but as in case of Katha Singers cat who knows?

Then ToI explains a days in Little Rehans life. How like a consummate politician, he hit it off with elders by bending down and touching their feet….. of course without any prompting(at least visible) and then parting with a crisp one-liner:

"Rahul mama ko zaroor vote dijiye (please vote for Uncle Rahul)."

ToI goes on to explain how Rehan wlaked in Dalit dominated area, stopped by an ailing old man and asked, "How are you uncle?" before repeating the all-important message. The children even walked into huts to meet and chat up veiled women who were reluctant to come out in presence of village seniors.

ToI quoted Mummy Priyanka that they

even provided her with valuable feedback on problems like power cuts facing the constituency

We are not sure if Gandhi Gen 5 asked the million dollar questions “Mummy why do we have power cut even after 60 years of our families glorious rule”

Its a proud day for the nation. The awestruck audience at Amethi watched with their mouths wide open. The Media gathered for witnessing the special occasion has gone hyper with Joy. Its rumored that some of the anchors/ were seen weeping with joy, some even fainted at first sight of Gen 5. There is no truth in usual opposition canard that the degree of fainting/weeping was directly proportional to advertisement revenue from Government of India.

We only hope “Maira” changes her name when traveling to Kerala!! I can only imagine the face of Anthony trying to call the girl by her name………

Saga of another apology.. This time its to Rahul Gandhi!

2011-04-20T05:51:00.001+05:30

For the unaware, this entire issue started with former Supreme Court judge Justice Iyer writing a sharply worded letter to Rahul Gandhi on April 9, criticizing him for the policies of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre. Iyer said that Rahul Gandhi may become a good government later on in his life, but right now he is not a good leader.

“He has nothing to say new to this country. He is not a socialist by conviction. He has no ideology at all. Such a person when he goes in the villages, people out of curiosity to see this man come and see,”

As expected the retort to the letter was quick and swift.

On April 17th, most of Media houses carried news of Rahuls ‘sharply worded’ letter to Justice Iyer. In letter, he allegedly claimed

``like most right thinking Indian people'', he was working quietly on that problem as he had ``absolutely no interest'' in becoming a hero.

What most of Media Houses and Rahuls PR team did not anticipate was angry reaction to the PR spin that “Rahul is working quietly to solve the rot in the system”. ToI article I am working to improve a rotten system: Rahul Gandhi attracted 1928 comments and still counting. Almost all the comments were highly critical of Rahul Gandhi(refer Screenshot). Some of comments were

Is this a joke? Your party and family ruled the country for the past 50 years and you were part of govt in the past 6 years. Did you forget 2G happened under your nose. Hero? You should be in Jail.
I think TOI should take a copy of all these comments posted on this article and send that to Congress Party headquarters. If there is one single sensible person left in the party which has completely forgotten its responsibilities and has become the most immoral, unethical & corrupt party of the country, they should know the opinions of the countrymen about their party, their leaders and their policies. If a little sense of self-esteem still exists in them, they should immediately dissolve their party, vacate the PM chair and withdraw from the Indian politics...

Having failed in plan A, now it seems Media and Rahuls PR team has rolledout Plan B. Most of Media houses are now reporting that “Justice Iyer apologizes to Rahul Gandhi”

ToI in its article Justice Iyer apologizes to Rahul Gandhi writes

Former Supreme Court judge VR Krishna Iyer, who had launched a scathing attack on Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi, on Monday sent an apology letter to him.\

Almost identical news was carried by Rediff, Midday etc

All this Hype makes one wonder what was this apology. Following is the text of so called apology

"Forgive me if I have been bitter in my letter to you. I am too old (97) and critical of parties CPM and Congress for governmental delinquencies,"

PErhaps we are missing something., Media Watch even after best efforts cannot even a scent of apology in the above. BUt we can clearly see sarcasm. It is amazing how a sarcastic comment from Justice Iyer is twisted out of context and made to look like an apology!

This reminds us of the of the blackmoney issues in which Media Passed off rebuke by LK Advani to Sonia as Apology

Statement of Niira Radia to CBI

2011-04-19T13:53:00.001+05:30

ANI please get your facts right and stop insulting our Intelligence!

2011-04-19T10:30:00.001+05:30

This entry into Media Hall of SHAME is about a shocking half baked and ill-informed report in Indian Express.

Indian Express in its report Kottyam locals bar women from temple seems to be arguing for “Temple rules should be same”!

The reports starts with

Kottayam Local oppose entry of entry of women into mahalakshi Temple. Expressing displeasure over permission granted to women in Maharashtra to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mahalakshmi temple, residents of Kerala's Kottayam town said such the practice is a violation of traditional customs.

Author is at wits end to understand why would a reporter of ANI travel all the way to Kottayam district of kerala to get a reaction on permission granted to women in Maharashtra to enter the sanctum sanctorum of the Sri Mahalakshmi temple! It seems that the reporter is talking about Sabarimala Temple in Kerala but it is located in Pathanamthitta district in Kerala.

Then the reporter asks the view of a person whom they described as “local”. According to the Suresh, the local who surprisingly speaks in Tamil!

'I think women should not be allowed inside the Sabarimala temple. I mean, from age 10 till 50, they should not be allowed. I am not saying that women should be completely prohibited in the temple. The temple has certain rules and regulations. One should follow that,' said Suresh, a local.

Media Watch think the reporter needs a crash course on India as to the best of Authors knowledge local language in Kottayam is Malayalam!

Then ANI interviews “another Local” who also speaks in Tamil

Shockingly, some locals maintained that permitting women to pray inside the shrines would make them 'impure'.
'When women come to the temple, the purity of the temple would be lost. So, to maintain the tradition of the temple, only women are not permitted inside it,' said Nirmal Kumar, a local.

If you watch the video carefully the person is not saying “permitting women to pray inside the shrines would make them 'impure'” he is very clearly indicating that when women during menstruation should not be allowed in temple. It is a well accepted and followed tradiution in Kerala that Women during menstruation donot enter temple or take part in any religious function.

Then Reporter goes on to make an outrageous claim that

several temples in India traditionally Ban or restrict women or lower caste people dalits. For years now several now several activists have been protesting against perceived gender bias practiced in many Hindu separate Hindu establishments across India stressing on urgent need of reforms to make religious sites more inclusive for devotees

It is shocking that a National newspaper like Indian Express would carry a news article with such glaring mistakes (not sure if its intentional)

1. Sabarimala Temple is not in Kottayam but in Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.

2. Majority of keralites speak Malayalam. One could have understood local speaking tamil in districts of Palakkad or Tiruvandapuram as it borders TamilNadu. But Kottayam is Kerala Heartland! One would hardly find a local there who can speak Tamil such fluently!

3. In the second interview it seems interviewer has deliberately misreported what interviewee was saying! One could not help reporting it as deliberate mischief!

4. Lastly, One can understand and appreciate Interviewesr zeal to have more “inclusive” temples. Perhaps it would come as a shock to her that there are temples and functions in Kerala where Men are not allowed. One such function is Attukal Pongala. More than three million women gather during this ceremony to offer pongala to Attukal Amma the Hindu goddess making it the largest gathering of women on earth and no men are allowed here!

5. Also, one would have appreciated if Reporter has not generalised by saying “several temples in India traditionally Ban or restrict women or lower caste people Dalits”. It is more of an exception than norm!

Indian Express plays with headlines quotes Modi govt raped women!

2011-04-18T20:54:00.001+05:30

This entry to Media Hall of Shame is shameful play with headlines by IE.

The main news on IE Webpage reads (see screenshots)

'Modi govt grabbed tribals' land in Narmada, raped women'

Any casual reader would be interpret headline as ‘Modi Govt raped women’

However, once you click on the link, the headline reads (see screenshots)

Modi govt committing excesses on tribals, alleges Medha

Which is totally different from the headlines in first page of IE Website.

The Mischief becomes more glaring when you read thru what Medha had actually said about rape of tribals. She said

"Some displaced tribal women of SSP had been raped but there was no place where they can get their complaint registered in Gujarat,"

It is very clear that unlike what IE wants its readers to believe, she is not blaming Modi Government of rape. She is just stating a fact that some of displaced women were raped and there were no proper redressal mechanism.

How Editors are managed

2011-04-16T21:35:00.001+05:30

By KEWAL VARMA
Editors can be broadly divided into two categories: those with substantial circulations spread over large areas of the country; and those with regional circulations. The latter, naturally, have smaller circulations, though there are exceptions (the best example being the Ananda Bazar Patrika). However, both kinds of editors have trouble with two sets of people: the Government and the managements. The views of Government and owners are not necessarily the same, but on one point most owners of publications seem to agree: that their editors should not take criticism of Government too far. And they agree on this because most owners are vulnerable: having business interests apart from news papers, they are aware that if Government wants to, it can create significant barriers between them and their profits from other factories.
No one would deny the owner of a newspaper group the right to choose his editors, but at what point does this begin to hurt the fundamental duty of the Press, and how does one prevent an owner from crossing this point? No one, equally, can deny the right of a management to remove an editor but is there any recourse for an editor if he is removed on unethical grounds? The editor’s job may look glamorous, and indeed it has its rewards, but it is also one of the least protected jobs in the publishing industry. (Would it be more honest if all owners simply became the editors of their publications too? These tensions often find their worst expression when an editor has to leave. The best and most enlightened of managements have often behaved atrociously with departing editors. We think that- this subject should be discussed frankly, without prejudice to anyone, with honesty. And for this reason we have decided to name names. We would welcome it if the managements named here would reply: we will publish their rep
lies equally prominently. We would be happy if SUNDAY became a vehicle for a public debate on this important, crucial, issue.

EDITORS are treated as condoms. After using them, proprietors discard them. This is the sad truth about Indian journalism. Yet, editors are the strangest species. in this animal world. They lack fellow feeling despite the common experience of humiliation they suffer at the bands of proprietors. One editor often becomes a tool -in the hands of the management to humiliate his predecessor. Last week, SUNDAY narrated how shabbily Khuswant Singh was treated by his management. But what happened to Chalapathi Rau of the National Herald, into whose shoes Khushwant Singh stepped? Few people could have been more loyal than Chalapathi Rau has been to the Nehru family for the past 40 years. Many a time, against his conscience, he stood like a rock not only by Jawaharlal Nehru but by his daughter also. The only principled line he drew was on Mr Sanjay Gandhi: he did not go- out of his way to build up the rising star of the Emergency.
On his superannuation, Chalapathi Rau was rewarded for his services and made chairman of the board of editors. But the management did not show him the elementary courtesy of informing him about the appointment of Sardar Khushwant Singh as his successor. Thus was despite the fact that earlier he had acted as a cat’s paw of the company’s managing director, Yashpal Kapoor, a notorious member of the Emergency caucus, to sack a conscientious and an unassuming editor of National Herald, C. N. Chittaranjan. If Rau’s past record is any guide, there is every reason to believe that Chalapathi Rau would have gone to any length to fulfill the management’s wishes to make Sardarji a success in National Herald. But this was not to be so. He had to go. This might be excused, but how can one excuse the manner in which this was done? In the 'glorious' traditions of newspaper management, he was sent out in a most rude fashion. One day last month, Chalapathi Rau’s stenographer was on leave. As usual, he wrote his editorial.
But the management gave instructions to all typists in the office to refuse to type out his editorial. Chalapathi Rau, like any other journalist, likes to see his writing in print, so he ignored the hint of the management. He sent down his handwritten manuscript to the press. But the management’s arm reaches a long way. Instructions had been sent to the press the linotype operator refused to compose the handwritten piece. The same day, when Rau was leaving office, the management did not allow him the use of the office car. The heartbroken Chalapathi was seen off for the last time from the more over which he had presided for 40 years by only peon.
This was too much to bear even f or Chalapathi Rau. He wrote a letter terminating his association with National Herald to the company’s chairman, Charanjit Singh, the former Coca Cola king of Delhi, with a copy to Indira Gandhi. Asking that National Herald stop forthwith carrying his printline, Chalapathi Rau wrote: I am not writing it in bitterness. This is a short epitaph, which can later be extended, of 40 years of dedicated and frustrated journalism. I promise to forget National Herald.. .I hope there will be no second cremation of Jawaharlal Nehru under new auspices and the value and traditions which he loved will be upheld and his name will continue to appear as founder of the newspaper. Commenting on Khuswant Singh's appointment, Chalapathi Rau, though he was the chairman of the board of editors, said: I learnt it as a rumour.
As in Chalapathi Rau’s case, editorship has proved to be a graveyard of the self-respect of many a stalwart. Editorship is, indeed, professionally the most hazardous and tenuous assignment. Once G. N. Sahi, the former all-powerful general manager of the Birla-owned Hindustan Times group of publications (he in fact designated himself as managing editor of the Hindi daily, Hindustan) boasted that editors should be changed every three or four years. My paper (Hindust an Times) sells not because of the editor but because of matrimonial advertisements, he added confidently. In fact K.K. Birla, who succeeded his father G. D. Birla as the chairman of the company, put this idea of the length of an editor’s tenure in writing. In a letter to B. G. Verghese, to prepare the ground for his ouster, K. K. Birla wrote that as a matter of principle, no editor should stay for more than four or five years. Interestingly enough, this profound advice came from a person, who only a little while ago had defended publicly the hereditary type of management. If a Prime Minister’s daughter could be a Prime Minister, he had said, ‘Why can’t a company chairman’s son be a chairman?’ He echoed similar views in a recent article in his Hindustan Times. K.K. Birla is so wedded to this idea that he willingly became one of the brains behind Sanjay Gandhi during the Emergency.
The Birlas have made and unmade their editors too often. Of course, till Gandhiji’s son and Rajaji’s son-in-law, Devdas Gandhi was alive, the Birlas could not have their way. He remained the managing editor of the Hindustan Times till his death in the mid-Fifties. He was succeeded by Durga Das, whose Insaf column was a great hit in those days. Das earned the wrath of Nehru by constantly sniping at Dr Radhakrishnan, who was then the Vice President, at the instigation of Rajendra Prasad and Gobind Ballabh Pant. The Birlas then thought it, wise to ease out Durga Das and bring in S. Mulgaokar.
But by the time Mulgaokar joined, Nehru’s stars had started dwindling in the wake of the Chinese intransigence. The new editor launched a virulent anti-Nehru, anti-Krishna Menon and anti-China campaign (Mulgaokar has today become a convert to peace and friendship with China). When the anti-China fever subsided in the country and Nehru re-established his political supremacy, the utility of Mulgaokar was over. Thus started the process of easing out Mulgaokar. He was made chief editor, and Krishan Bhatia, who was known to be close to Gulzarilal Nanda. then the Home Minister, was brought as editor in 1963. Gradually Bhatia was made the effective editor and for Mulgaokar a new weekly Week end Review was floated. But the management, particularly the circulation department, saw to it the new weekly flopped. A frustrated Mulgaokar cut short his professional pursuit and took to poultry farming in 1969.
But a little later, G. L. Nanda lost his Home portfolio: Krishan Bhatia’s fortunes declined correspondingly. He- was sent to Washington and Ajit Bhattacharjea was brought in. By that time, the Birlas were in hot water, politically. The Young Turks, led b’ Chandrashekhar, had started a strident anti-Birla campaign. This led to the setting up of the Sarkar Commission to investigate into acts of omission and commission by monopoly houses, with particular reference to the Birlas. As a defensive mechanism, the Birlas needed a person who had greater pull than Ajit Bhattacharjea with the powers-that-be. In those days the Birlas’ choice naturally fell on George Verghese, who was then principal information adviser to the Prime Minister. He was brought over the head of Ajit Bhattacharjea and made the chief editor. Bhattacharjea felt humiliated and left Hindustan Times.
Unfortunately for the Birlas, George Verghese’s utility was over much sooner than they had expected. Soon after he joined Hindustan Times, came the 1969 split and Indira Gandhi changed the gear of her policies. Verghese was not in tune with those policies. In 1974, the foundation stones story was written, exposing the indiscriminate manner in which Indira Gandhi had been laying foundation stones of non-existent projects on the eve of the UP and Orissa Assembly elections. This, naturally, earned the wrath of the PM. The last straw on the camel’s back was Verghese's editorial attacking the mer ger of Sikkim with India. This provided a convenient handle to the Birlas to serve a quit notice on Verghese But the Hindustan Times journalist union took the case to the Press Council, and later to the High Court. The Delhi High Court gave a judgement -which in effect meant that while the editor was free to write, the management was free to hire and fire the editor. The management did not hesitate: On the day the judgement was delivered, the Hindustan Times general manager gave the dismissal letter to Verghese on the staircase when he was going home in the evening. In his place was brought Hiranmay Karlekar, on the recommendation of Siddartha Shankar Ray, who is now chief attorney of the House of the Birlas. It should be -remembered that at that time Ray had not yet fallen from the grace of Sanjay Gandhi and, hence, his mother.
OTHER newspaper houses have similar stories. Mr R.N. Goenka is the owner of the largest chain of news papers; let’s see what happens in the Express House. He brought Frank Moraes as the chief editor of the Indian Express after Moraes was eased out from the Times of India when he earned the wrath of Morarji Desai, who was then the Chief Minister of Bombay Presidency. Goenka would patronisingly call Moraes 'My Dilip Kumar' (Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan were not superstars then). But when Moraes retired as editor and was sent to London as correspondent, the company would not even pay the cost of carrying his books. Earlier,) Moraes used to have what was virtually a blank cheque. Moraes was replaced by - Mulgaokar, who, on his super-annuation, was then working in South East Asia. (Goenka seems to have a fascination, for superannuated persons as editors; he can perhaps establish an equation with people his age more easily.) Came the Emergency. The senior Goenka was laid up with a serious heart attack. The Government forced K.K. Birla as the chairman of the Express company to discipline Goenka. K.K. Birla and V.C. Shukla pressurised Goenka’s son, B.D. Goenka to throw out Mulgaokar, who had been refusing to lend positive support to the Emergency, ‘being, at best, neutral. V. K. Narasimhan. who was then editor of the sister publication Financial Express, was made concurrently the editor of Indian Express in the hope that he would be more pliable. But Narasimhan’s idli-dosa outward appearance proved to be deceptive. He fought against the Emergency most valiantly and raised the prestige of Indian Express sky high. As a result, during the elections last year, Indian Express registered a tremendous increase in circulation. But within a week of the Janata Government taking over, one fine morning when Narasimhan came to office, there was a stir in the editorial room. A supplement was being printed, and without Narasimhan's knowledge his printline as editor was changed: the new editor was Mulgaokar. That is the way Narasimhan was rewarded by Goenka. A more astonishing story is that of Nandan Kagal, a youthful’ resident editor, who died in harness. The office in its, generosity, met his funeral expenses. But when the overall settlement was being made with his widow, the management wanted to cut its expenditure on the funeral from Kagal’s gratuity; With great difficulty it was persuaded to relent.
And in Bombay recently we had an instance shoddy treatment of an editor, in another group. When C. S. Pandit was appointed editor of the Free Press Journal, one of the reasons was because he was thought to be close to I. K. Gujral, then the Information and Broadcasting Minister. The owners probably thought that as a resuIt of this gesture the Government would withdraw its nominees from the. Free Press Journal board of directors, and DAVP would give additional advertisements. But nothing of the sort materialised. The management felt cheated. Nor did anything spectacular happen to the circulation of the paper and Pandit began receiving pinpricks. His office car was withdrawn. He was then asked to stand in queue along with the juniormost employees to collect his monthly salary. One day, while he was returning home, he was searched by the gatekeeper on the instructions of the top management, in the same manner as the press workers are searched to ensure that they do not resort to pilferage of lead and newsprint.
However, after demanding the resignation of Mrs Gandhi in a frontpage editorial following the Allahabad High Court judgment, Pandit started supporting the Emergency in his columns. He thus became one of the navarattans of the Indira regime. (According to revelations made in the Shah Commission, Pandit was one of the nine top journalists who were being considered for app ointment to sensitive posts during the Emergency). This provided a protective shield to Pandit. But soon after the Janata victory, the management was after Pandit’s blood. One evening when he was leaving for home, the administrative officer came and handed over to him the letter of dismissal.
THE plight of editors of non-English papers has been still worse. Vivekapanda Mukherjee, who was an institution in Bengali journalism, was sacked from Jugantar after a letter supporting the Chinese case was published in the paper. In Hindi, such stalwart editors as P. R. Khadilkar, Lakshman Narayan Garde, Bhagwati Charan Varma and Khan Chand Gautam were dismissed most unceremoniously. P. R. Khadilkar was dismissed from Aaj and his proprietor Satyendra Kumar Gupta became the editor. Gupta justified it by asserting that, Khadilkar is B.Sc.; I am also B.Sc. If he can be the editor, I can also be the editor. Lakshman Narayan Garde was one of the Trimurti of Hindi journalism, the other two being Ambika Prasad Vajpayee and Baburao Paradkar One morning, Garde was doing his Geeta path. A peon from his Navjeevan office came with one month’s salary and a letter from the general manager that his resignation had been accepted. But Garde had not resigned. However, he followed the Geeta’s tenets and accepted the fait accomplish without protest. More recently, Akshay Kumar Jam, editor of a premier Hindi daily, Navbharat Times, met a similar fate. He was a blue-eyed boy of the Sahu Jams as long as Mrs. Gandhi Gandhi ruled the country. He got two extensions after retirement age. But after Mrs Gandhi lost things became difficult for Akshay Kumar Jain in the Bennett, Coleman & Company. He was refused further extension and in his place H. S. Vatsayan, older in age to Akshay Kumar Jam, was brought in. The reason: Vatsayan is close to Lok Nayak Jayapra kash Narayan.
LEST the impression may go round that hiring and firing editors in a most shabby manner is the prerogative of only unsophisticated institutions and the non-English Press’ we will now talk about one of the most prestigious newspapers. The Statesman. When the last Englishman left, and the management passed into Indian hands, Pran Chopra, every inch a burra sahib, was appointed its editor. He maintained the traditions of honesty. During a strike in Jamshedpur, an industrial zamandari of the Tatas, The Statesman took an anti-Tata position, even though the House of the Tatas was - the single largest shareholder in The Statesman. Chopra even refused to give credence to the Tata version. This was the beginning of misunderstanding between the editor and the management. A most authentic version of what happened subsequently is provided by an eminent jurist, M. C. Setalvad, in his autobiography, My Life. We reproduce below the full extract from the book relating to The Statesman controversy:
My chairmanship of the board of trustees of The Statesman Ltd. received a somewhat rude, though not unexpected, shock in the latter part of 1968. The story is interesting, as showing how difficult it is for industrialist proprietors of a newspaper to give editorial freedom to its editor, and how the experiment so honestly and laudably launched by the industrialists who had re-organised The Statesman in 1963 failed. Probably, this novel experiment owed its origin to the Tatas, and particularly, to J. R. D. Tata, the chief of the far-flung Tata complex, who enjoys a deserved reputation as the most liberal and enlightened of Indian industrialists. It was, therefore, truly a matter of regret that it should have been brought to an end principally at the hands of the House of the Tatas.
It was customary tor the trustees to meet once or twice a year at Calcutta, and the trustees’ meetings were, as a rule, preceded by a lunch by the chairman of the board of directors, at which the trustees met the directors. After the re-organisation, Charlton, who had been the deputy editor of the paper, was offered the appointment of editor for three years from the 1st of April, 1964, on the expiry of the term of the then editor. Soon after Charlton’s appointment, one could hear at the usual lunch given by the directors comments in regard to the editorial policy of the paper. Sir Jehangir Ghandy, who was then the chairman of the board of directors, representing the Tatas, and other directors frequently talked of the unfavourable impression which the editorial policy of the paper was having upon certain Ministers. This fact was evidently troubling them and Sir Jehangir Ghandy desired that the trustees should consider the policy pursued by the editor. Thereupon, the trustees invited Charlton to their meeting and decided that they should have information from the editor as regards the freedom allowed to editors in democratic countries. Mr Charlton having submitted to us a detailed note on the subject, the trustees looked, at -the next meeting at the various editorial comments made by Charlton and were of the view that the policy pursued by him was in accordance with the requirements of the articles of association.
S. M. Bose, one of the trustees, having resigned the trusteeship for reasons of health, the trustees had, under the articles, to fill the vacancy. Sir Jehangir Ghandy, representing the Tatas, suggested to me that I should invite Palkhivala, who was connected with the Tata organisation, to be a trustee. This obviously was inappropriate, because the trustees were supposed to be independent of the industrialist proprietary of the newspaper. I suggested the appointment of S. R. Das, the retired Chief Justice of the Supreme Court with his consent, as a trustee in the vacancy which had arisen, and the suggestion was accepted by all the trustees.
Charlton having retired, the directors decided in January, 1967, to appoint Pran Chopra, who was already on the editorial staff, to be the editor. This resolution of the directors was approved by the trustees.
The general elections of 1967 brought into power in West Bengal the United Left Front, and, apparently, the editor’s handling of the ULF news items and its policy was not liked by some of the directors. I remember J. R. D. Tata and Palkhivala seeing me in this connection at my residence and complaining of the manner in which the editor, Chopra, was editing the paper and publishing news reports, which, they said, clearly showed a Communist bias. They suggested that the trustees should meet and change the editor. I pointed out to them that the directors should have thought of this before appointing Chopra in 1967 and entering into a term agreement with him. However, I promised to convene a trustees’ meeting to consider the matter.
Before the meeting, which took place in October, 1967, we met, as usual, the board of directors at lunch, the chairman of the board at the time being Sir Biren Mukherji. The policy of the paper was again discussed, but the directors did not all seem to be of one mind. At the trustees’ meeting, which took place the following day, we considered the comments of some of the directors against the editorial policy and the news items published in the paper. We sent for Chopra, and, after examining the relevant editorial comments and, news items in discussion with him, we reached the conclusion that the policy pursued by The Statesman was in no manner a deviation from the policy prescribed by Article 82 of the company’s Articles of Association’.
The attempt to get the trustees to control or remove Chopra having failed, the next chairman of the board of directors, Palkhivala, an eminent lawyer concerned with some of the Tata concerns, seems to have thought of putting an end to the whole trouble by the legal device of amending the Articles and getting rid of the trustees altogether. That course was certainly permissible for the directors to adopt, as representing the shareholders, if they thought it right to do so in the interests of the concern. But the way in which this was done struck me as most improper. Instead of approaching the trustees and informing them of the desire of the board of directors to amend the articles by omitting the scheme which had brought in the trustees, the directors passed a resolution without communicating with the trustees to amend the articles so as to delete all references to the trustees in the articles. The first intimation of this fact which I received was a letter from Palkhivala in July, 1968, informing me that the directors had resolved at their last meeting to call an extraordinary general meeting of the company at the end of August, 1968. for deleting the provisions in the articles relating to the trustees. I wrote in reply, complaining of the manner in which the trustees had been treated by the directors. I said: ‘If the directors were of the view that the scheme of management under which the policy of the newspaper was entrusted to the trustees had not worked satisfactorily, they could certainly have intimated this view to the trustees at a meeting or otherwise, and the trustees would have had no option but to bow themselves out of the trust. Instead of doing this, however, a procedure has been adopted, which appears to us to be. highly improper and discourteous. It gives the impression of a dismissal of the trustees by the backdoor.’
The view I expressed in my letter had the approval of some of the trustees whom I consulted, one of them being- S. R. Das. He had said in a letter to me: ‘I fully agree with your views. I have sent a telegram to -you this morning, reading Your draft approved.. ..I agreed to be a trustee at your request, little did I anticipate that we would be so shabbily treated.’
The episode excited a great deal of comment in the Indian as well as the foreign Press. The London Times having given a fairly accurate account of what had happened, stated: ‘The directors, among whom are represented India’s wealthy Tata and Mafatlal families, objected to any support for the Mukherjee regime, no matter how legalistic, but the trustees upheld Mr Chopra. The directors under newly-appointed chairman, Palkhivala, decided to do away with the board of trustees altogether, and designated a managing director. A directors’ statement in Calcutta said: The editor has always enjoyed the customary and reasonable degree of editorial independence which is necessary to enable him to discharge his functions as editor and fulfill his obligations towards the policy of the newspaper. There will be no change in this position and the enlarged board of directors, including the two former eminent trustees, will continue to discharge its responsibilities for safeguarding policy without impinging upon the necessary
editorial independence within the overall policy.
Confirming that he had refused to join the amalgamated board, Mr Setalvad said: I told them it was absurd to kick us out at one end, and to invite us to come back at the other end.
I should, have mentioned earlier that, at a later stage Palkhivala wrote to me and also personally invited me to join the board of directors as its chairman, which I felt, in the circumstances, right to decline. Great was my surprise when I found that S. R. Das who had told me that the trustees had been ‘shabbily treated’ had agreed to be the chairman of the board of directors!
After Chopra was sacked, C. R. Irani brought in N. J. Nanporia, who was earlier eased out of Times of India following his letter to Jawaharlal Nehru complaining against interference by the company’s chairman, Shanti Prasad Jam, in editorial affairs. But soon between Nanporia and Irani became estranging Nanporia formally complained to the board against Irani. The board sided with Nanporia and Irani decided to quit The Statesman. He even got a job as general manager of Macmillan. But right at that point Siddhartha Shankar Ray intervened on his behalf and persuaded the board that Irani was the only bulwark against Communists in West Bengal, and in his absence he was not sure whether The Statesman editor would continue to support the Congress Government in West Bengal or not. The board reversed its earlier decision and persuaded Irani to stay on, and gave him the additional charge of editorial administration. Thus. was delivered the final blow on the freedom and status of The Statesman editor. Irani, with his new powers, made Nanporia’s life miserable. But still Nanporia would not leave. Nanporia’s contract was to expire on September 30, 1976. Till the last minute, Nanporia was being assured that the renewal of his contract was just a formality. But on the evening of September 29, Nanporia got a letter saying that the management had decided not to renew the contract. Irani also started humiliating people who were supposed to be close to Nanporia. One of them was Kuldip Nayar. From resident editor of the Delhi edition, Kuldip Nayar was made political editor on the ‘understanding’ that he would be free to move about the country to report developments. But when Kuldip Nayar wanted to go to Ahmedabad to study the Gujarat agitation, the management refused the permission on the grounds of financial stringency. One morning when Kuldip Nayar came to his office he found his direct telephone h-ad been rem oved and transferred to the production manager. Kuldip Nayar left The Statesman in disgust and joined Indian Express.
The one legitimate grievance owners might have is against editors who hang on to their jobs at the cost of the publication, particularly the circulation. But this is rarely the reason why an editor is removed. The general reason why an editor and the management, particularly in large groups, part ways is political differences, or criticism of authority. (Which editor has been removed for supporting the Government ?!) The specific instances which actually provoked dismissal may sometimes seem insignificant, as indeed they are. But behind the last straw is generally a history of squabbling and tension and petty vindictiveness which becomes the material for gossip in the corridors of newspaper office buildings and towers.
ONE of the major reasons why editors in India have to suffer humiliation at the hands of proprietors is that interlocking of industry and business with the Press is much greater in this country than in most other countries. There are not many newspaper magnates who do not have other business interests. (Interestingly, when it comes to declaring his profession, Mr R. N. Goenka describes himself as journalist-industrialist.) The debilitating influence of this interlocking was underlined by Chalapathi Rau in his book, The Press in India in these words:
Here one difference between the proprietor or publisher in Britain and the United States, and the proprietor in India must be noted. The American publisher is usually trained or experienced in journalism and is as amenable to the influence of the editorial staff as they are to his. He stands by his publications and to the extent is answerable to the public. The Northcliffes and Beaverbrooks too are not only owners but publishers and journalists by temperament and experience. Not industrialists who have intruded into the newspaper industry. The developments in the Indian Press have been contrary; when the proprietor’s representative or manager in command has not had training or experience as a publisher, he is not competent to exercise editorial control without detriment to the paper. His constant interference reduces it to sausages or fish and chips. He might destroy overnight the personality of the newspaper which is a deposit of years.
The position of the Indian Press and its editors was, haps, most authentically described in the Press Commission Report of 1954. The Press Commission noted:
There has been a general decline in the status and independence of the editor, and this decline is noticeable particularly in the case of daily newspapers. In the past, it was quite usual for the majority of the readers to be both aware and conscious of the role played by the editor in the formulation of the views set out in a paper, and It was quite usual to refer to the paper .not merely by its name but by the name of the editor. Such was the impression of the personality of the editor on the contents of the newspaper that it could be sensed not merely in the leading articles and opinion columns but even in the news columns. The position has changed today and we feel that the bulk of the newspaper readers today may be even unaware of who is the editor of their newspaper and indifferent to the name that appears in small, print on the last page.
This decline is not entirely associated with the form of ownership. The gradual extinction of the individuality of the editor can be correlated, however, to the growth in the size of the newspaper and the volume - and variety of its contents. The modern newspaper is such a complex production that it is not possible for any one individual to be personally responsible for every item that goes into it and to which he has given a special shape or form which would be distinctly his own.
It has been mentioned to us- that this decline of the status of the editor has nowhere been greater than in the case of certain chain papers. We have found that, in almost every instance we have come across, the editors of individual papers or a group or chain, have been allowed considerable latitude in respect of their individual policies, and only when the personal or group interests of the management are directly affected, they are all instructed to conform to a particular opinion. Such cases would come under the category’ of - Interference by the proprietor, and there is not much to differentiate the editor in a group from the editor of a single unit. The picturesque remark was also made that the editor’s position in such cases was comparable to that of an inmate of a harem. If the intention of the witness was to suggest that the different editors vie with one another in order to seek favours of the proprietor, we would only say that such an attitude is to be condemned and would be the negation of the independence of the editor which we are trying so hard to establish.
We do not deny to the owner or proprietor his basic right to have his point of view expressed through the paper. This right has been admitted by almost all the journalists to whom we have addressed the question and, needless to say, has been emphasised by the proprietors also. What we are anxious to avoid is, however the transformation of the editor into the ‘literary agent of the proprietor'.
Instances in which changes of policy had been suggested by the proprietors in order that they may benefit by a turn of events have been mentioned to us in several cases. In one such instance, one of the partners in the newspaper concern had the impression that the chances of one particular political Party at the elections were very Bright, and the policy of the paper, which before had been supporting another Party, was switched over and a prominent leader of the Party in favour was brought on to the editorial staff. After the elections, when that Party did not fare well, as the proprietor was reported to have hoped for, the policy was changed again and the political leader was dropped from the staff.. In another case it was mentioned that in a paper in Bombay which had written critically about the defeat at the elections of a former Minister, the editor was asked by the proprietor to change his policy to one of support to Government, in the hope of getting advertisements from them. In another paper, also at
Bombay, we were told that on one occasion, alternative editorials, one by the proprietor, and one by the editor, were kept ready up to a late hour at night until the proprietor could decide whether he was going to attack or support a particular Party in local politics.
One editor told us that after he had published an editorial criticising the State Government he was told that the policy was to support that Government, and that a few days later he received a letter from the proprietor saying, It seems we differ with each other. So I put this question to you: What should we do? He said he caught the meaning of the letter and wrote back, I understand your meaning. We differ. So I am not going to your office, and left the services of the paper.
It would be rather naive to expect a newspaper or periodical run by a leading light of a chamber of commerce to advocate Communism, or support a proposal for expropriation of capital. It is, however, legitimate to demand that in reporting news of happenings it should not over-emphasise one side of a picture or black out another or otherwise distort a despatch so as to mislead the reader,
We find that proprietors have managed to occupy very much more space than they deserve. We have before us a collection of cuttings of a Calcutta paper which offends regularly and inexcusably in this manner. Publicity is given to the most trivial activities of the proprietor and his family and is reinforced by photographs of such doings. In attempting excessive publicity of this nature, the paper has displayed a deplorable lapse from the canons of good taste and propriety.

The Great Media Slide

2011-04-16T21:21:00.001+05:30

This is a cut and paste from the blog by Dasu Krishnamoorty at sulekha . The original blog can be read here

There is not an area of public life that has not claimed front-page space in the national media for excellence in corruption. Doctors, engineers, judges, sportsmen, legislators, civil servants, lowly employees of the government, industrialists, businessmen, film makers, vice chancellors of universities, everyone of these categories is making its humble and devoted contribution to the corruption industry. We compete successfully with countries in Africa and our own neighbors, according to Transparency International's reports. It is entirely a different matter that there is corruption in this international certification also. But there is one sector of public interest that does not figure in this gallery of greats. That is, the media. In their modesty, they shun publicity.

A poor V.Narayanan, editor of The Hindustan Times, hit the headlines for plagiarism. Rahul Patel, working for a Gujarati daily Divya Prakash, was caught in Vadodara accepting a bribe of Rs.1,00,000 from an official in return for getting him a big post in the public sector. These cases are the tip of the iceberg that is always submerged. The Indian media too have Jayson Blairs and Rick Braggs among them but they have a sacred and unwritten code of ethics that forbids disclosure. They do not want Press Councils because, they ask, where is the need for a watchdog body when the media themselves are sharper sleuths than police dogs. Let us leave the bush and come to the point. The media are not behind any other sector of the society in the matter of corruption.

We must shed the notion that corruption is always monetary. Moral corruption is not very different. Neither Blair nor Bragg accepted money. Any departure from ethical norms is corruption. If you misuse news space knowing you are doing it, it amounts to corruption. That is what The New York Times did. Isn't it? If you deny space to certain sections of the society it is again corruption. Bureaucrats do favors to industrialists in anticipation of sinecures on retirement. A journalist doing the same is corruption. Many people still believe accepting public office compromises an editor's position. See this list of editors who became advisers to the prime ministers: Sharda Prasad (The Indian Express), B. G. Verghese, Suman Dubey (The Indian Express), K. P. Srivastav (PTI) and H. K. Dua (The Indian Express, The Times of Indiaand The Hindustan Times).

Here is a list of top newspapermen taking up diplomatic assignments: K. S. Shelvankar of The Hindu became ambassador to the Soviet Union. Kuldip Nayyar (The Indian Express) went as High Commissioner to London. Prem Bhatia (The Tribune) went to Kenya as India's envoy. There is a long roll of veteran journalists who became members of the Rajya Sabha. Khushwant Singh, for example. Vijay Goel, bureau chief of Swadesh became officer on special duty in the Prime Minister's Office. Balbir Punj, a journalist, is now the chairman of the prestigious Indian Institute of Mass communication. I am not mentioning M. V. Kamath of The Times of Indiabecause he became chairman of Prasar Bharathi years after he had quit mainstream journalism.

The Press Council has listed 30 ways of tempting journalists. Subsidized Government housing, flats and land top the list. A feud between owners of newspapers and journalists provided the excuse for preparing this list. An editorial in The Indian Express (29 Nov. 1996) pillories working journalists: “For far too long the Indian media have grown accustomed to their pampered status. Its independence and integrity have suffered on account of its surreptitiously cozy relationship with politicians, especially those in power. Whether in the matter of accommodation or out of turn telephone connections or plain freebies, the media-government relationship is one of symbiosis. No wonder some corporate bodies entertain the belief that the price of favorable publicity is a suit length and a bottle of scotch.”

A Financial Express editorial (15 April 1996) says, “Both the government and the media have to call a halt to hand-outs, whether in the form of cheap accommodation or cash: Mulayam Singh Yadav's selective largess showed how far a state government would go to woo members of the fourth estate. Not that the government is alone in trying to influence them: corporates are only too willing to give, and business journalists too willing to take gifts and other incentives.” Nearly every Chief Minister does the same thing as Mulayam did.

That these opinions the editors have unabashedly voiced as their own are those of the owners is evident from the following sentences from both the editorials. The Indian Express editorial says, “It is, for example, pertinent to ask why India stands alone among democracies in havinga statute to govern labor practices among journalists. Does this promote press freedom or does it legitimize government interference in the media?” Press freedom here means the freedom of the owner to deny fair wages to journalists. The Indian Express has a great record of being the first to contest awards of fair wages to journalists. This explodes the myth that the editor has the final word.

The Financial Express editorial says, “As in other professions, journalists' salaries and benefits have to be decided on the basis of merit, and should not increase automatically, clerical-style, on a yearly basis. The profession has to be free to reward the efficient and productive and penalize the laggards. Only when it is free from strings of any kind the credibility of the fourth estate is ensured.” This is clearly the voice of the owner wearing the guise of profession in this editorial.

Now the journalists hit back. The following is the rejoinder of the National Union of journalists: “Why is it that you are so blind as not to see 'the pampered status and freebies' that you talk of being actually enjoyed by the newspaper publishers? They get land at concession prices at prime locations and then let it out for commercial purposes, confining the newspaper business for which it is given to a small part where ill-paid journalists work in cubicles. Publishers lay down the policies of the newspapers; so, if a newspaper is not fearless in reporting, it is mainly due to the cozy relationship that publishers develop with politicians.”

There is no doubt that the Indian press is freer than any of its counterparts in other democracies. However, freedom here means freedom from the government and freedom of the owner. Where the editors are not free or where the journalists are not free from interference by the owner, freedom of the press can only mean freedom of the publisher. There are no watchdog bodies in India like the Censored and FAIR (Fairness And Accuracy In Reporting) in the United States that tell the readers what stories newspapers have withheld from the public. Readers are totally at the mercies of the media for what they get and do not get. In this context, the editors' opposition to a Press Council amounts to disowning answerability, which is the essence of journalism.

As a matter of fact, a committee of the Press Council of India opposed the allotment of prime land at a nominal price to newspaper establishments. Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi is a standing monument to the violation of this norm. Newspapers keep one floor and basement for themselves and collect unconscionable market rents for the rest of the floors. This phenomenon repeats in all State capitals. Government is a helpless witness because any move to set things right will be interpreted as an attack on freedom of press. Freedom of the press has come to mean freedom of the owner to flout the law of the land. The question of corruption comes when our editors give anything to defend this right of the owner.

It is an open secret that financial journalists demand and receive gifts of company shares at the time of public issue. In his book The Polyester Prince, Hamish McDonald says, “Dhirubhai (Ambani) could not wield the same power over the big metropolitan newspapers. But he could and did cultivate their journalists and editors.” Editors lost all balance in the coverage they devoted to his death; something reserved only for the death of a prime minister. According to McDonald, “one who accepted Reliance (Ambani company) debentures for himself and help in arranging bank finance to pay for them, was Girilal Jain, a former editor of The Times of India.”

Today, most of the publishers are from industry and trade. You have jute barons, beedi barons, pickle barons, liquor barons, sugar barons and real estate sharks owning newspapers with large circulations. The common interest of profit at any cost unites them ideologically to operate as an informal cartel. It is they who set the news agenda for the nation and not the editors. The Indian editors can draw consolation from the fact that the editors of the Times(London), The Sunday Times, The Sun and the News of the World, all owned by Rupert Murdoch, are no better. The real driver behind the editor is the owner of the newspaper.

The Press Council of India censured the country's oldest English language daily, The Times of India, in the strongest terms for trying to misuse the services of an editor (H. K. Dua) for the personal benefit of the proprietor of the paper, The Times of India. In a case against the late Ashok Jain, chairman of Bennett Coleman and Co. (owners of The Times of India) for alleged violation of foreign exchange regulations, the owners asked Dua to lobby with political leaders and to write articles in the paper supporting Ashok Jain. When Dua refused to oblige, he was asked to leave.

The Press Council said: “To require an editor to cater to the personal interest of the proprietor is not only to demean the office of the editor but also to encroach upon his status as a trustee of the society in respect of the contents of the paper.” Yet, not a single major newspaper headquartered in Delhi printed a line of the Press Council's verdict pillorying The Times of India. A sort of solidarity among birds of the same feather. Ajit Bhattacharya, Director of the Press Institute of India, said: “Mr. Dua himself partly went with the diminution of the office of the editor by accepting the title of editorial advisor when there was no editor to advise.” The editor betraying the mandate the readers gave him is unpardonable.

Democracies create a number of institutions to ensure accountability, Parliament being the most visible of them. Those who question the concept of accountability question the validity of democracy. The media stress on self-regulation and opposition to watchdog bodies means a denial of accountability. The opposition to the Press Council means that those who want to judge others refuse to be judged by others. Great principles of equality and what else! This freedom is what Dileep Padgaonkar (The Times of India, 8 April 02), executive managing editor of The Times of India wants when he says:

“The blunt truth is that nowhere in the world has any press council -- excluding, perhaps Australia and the Ombudsman system in Sweden -- been able to function effectively. This is why the Information and Broadcasting Minister Sushma Swaraj would do a good turn to the Indian media if she throws out the PCI lock, stock and barrel. She should trust the self-regulatory mechanisms of media organizations to uphold journalistic standards. More than the righteous sermons of the PCI and its chairman, readers, viewers and advertisers can be relied upon to distinguish between good and lousy journalism.”

Floor-crossings and defections are a part of the great Indian political epic. But there are ayarams and gayarams in the media too. There is nothing wrong about this editorial hopscotch. But the problem is we associate ideology with editors and these frequent, and unprincipled in one sense, changes indicate seasonal swings in principles hardly becoming of editors. Arun Shourie leaves The Indian Express (which painstakingly pretends to be anti-establishment) and joins The Times of India, a government-friendly newspaper. Then he returns to The Indian Express like a prodigal. H. K. Dua shifts from The Indian Express to The Hindustan Times and from there to The Times of India and then to the Prime Minister's office. One has lost count of Vinod Mehta's flirtations. If there is nothing wrong with this, there is nothing wrong with political defections either. Corruption is not a word that can adequately express the betrayal of the readers by the media.

Lets sanitize all the national symbol

2011-04-16T19:38:00.001+05:30

It seems Anna’s movement for Jan Lok Pal has hit a rough patch. Several secular and liberal sections of the society has started to raise their voice against Annas movement. One of primary reasons often cited by Secular Civil Society is Annas usage of “Non Secular” Symbols.

Harsh Mander in his article Why I didn't go to Jantar Mantar writes

And yet why could I not actively join the demonstration at Jantar Mantar? First, the symbols and allies that the campaign chose disturbed me: the stage was decorated with a picture of Bharat Mata, almost identical to that propagated by the right-wing RSS

It seems that consistent pressure from secular civil society is getting its desired results. According to Deccan Herald, New symbol for Hazare’s movement

Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption movement will have a new symbol in the future with 'Tiranga' at the centre.
The tricolour will replace the Bharat Mata image that was in the background set-up of the stage erected at Jantar Mantar on which Hazare was lying on a fast-unto-death for the Jan Lokpal Bill.

In view of all the above, Media Watch calls upon Congress Party and PM Singh to constitute a commission consisting of secular civil society to sanitize all the national symbol and ensure that they are secular and has approval of the secular class.

Our sources indicated that civil society is seriously considering to recommend chicken as India's national bird. The senior activists has taken strong exception to India continuing to use"Peacock" as national Symbol. The secular brigade is of the opinion that Peacock is too closely associated with Hindu Religion. Its considered vehicle of Lord Murugan and even Lord Krishna's Crown always has a peacock's feather. Due to this Peacock, donot comply to the strict standards adopted by the civil society on matters pertaining to secularism. Chicken is considered a far "secular" bird considering almost all the religions eat it without reservation. Some pockets of reservation from vegetarian can be ignored as they are too few in Numbers afterall you cannot please all with such decisions. The senior activists are also of the opinion that National Symbols should be a reflection of national psyche and Peacock, the current national bird is considered too aggressive to symbolize India. India's official response to various issue's ranging from the 26/11 to uprising in in Tibet - can best be described as chicken hearted.

Another national symbol which is up for review is Bharath Mata as current picture of Bharath Mata resembles the picture being used by RSS. Our sources indicate that Civil society is of the view that current Bharath Mata should be replaced by the one drawn by M. F Hussain. Civil society intents to kill two birds with one stone, This will further reinforce civil societies support for M F Hussain and it also be a blow to RSS who has always opposed M F Hussains depiction of Bharath Mata. There is also a suggestion to rename Bharath Mata as Indian Mom which is a more neutral language.

It is rumored that even national emblem will be reviewed because it has lotus in it!

Civil Society leaders has taken a strict stand on this issue .They have threatened to launch a indefinite candle light vigil if their demands are not accepted

Know your Media Personalities

2011-04-15T18:03:00.001+05:30

Journalist	Media House	Related Politician/Sr. Officer	Relation	Organisation
Neha Seth	IBN	Jitin Prasada's (Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas)	Wife	Congress
Sonia Singh	NDTV	RPN Singh (first time MP)	Wife	Congress
Seema Chisthi	Indian Express	Sitaram Yechury (CPI(M)’s senior member of Politburo and Parliamentary Group Leader)	Wife	CPM
Sagarika Ghose	IBN	Bhaskar Ghose, Director General	Daughter	Doordarshan
Karan Thapar	ITV	General Pran Nath Thapar COAS during 1962 war	Son	Army
Radhika Roy	NDTV	Brinda Karat	Sister	CPM
Anuradha Prasad	News24	Rajeev Shukla	Wife	Congress
Anuradha Prasad	News24	Ravi Shankar Prasad	Sister	BJP
Chandan Mitra	Daily Pioneer	-	-	BJP RS MP
Shobhana Bhartia	Chairperson and Editorial Director of the Hindustan Times group	-	-	Congress RS MP
Vinod Sharma	Hindustan Times	-	-	Member of National Minority Commission
Shahid Siddiqui	Nai Duniya			Congress, SFI, SP, RLD http://goo.gl/TAeLX
H.K. Dua	Editor of the Hindustan Times, Editor-in-Chief of the Indian Express,Editor-in-Chief of The Tribune Publications and Editorial Advisor of The Times of India *Good Read: Editorial changes in The Times of India* raise disturbing questions.** http://goo.gl/0NvPb			RS MP
Arun Shourie	Indian Express			BJP RS MP

Please leave a comment if you have more information

Does criticizing PM for not voting make you a “true politician”?

2011-04-15T05:49:00.001+05:30

PM of India, Worlds largest democracy is expected to lead by example. According to Election Commission of India

India is the largest democracy in the world. The right to vote and more importantly the exercise of franchise by the eligible citizens is at the heart of every democracy. We, the people, through his exercise of our right to vote have the ultimate power to shape the destiny of country by electing our representatives who run the Government and take decisions for the growth, development and benefit of all the citizens.

It is shameful and sad that PM Manmohan Singh failed to exercise his franchise setting a bad precedent. This is not the first time that the prime minister skipped voting in Assam. Singh’s absence in the polling station had first come under media-glare during the polling for the state Assembly elections in 2006, just two years after he had taken over as the prime minister.

Media Watch is amused by congress explanation that PM Manmohan Singh did not vote because he was busy serving country. For busy people like PM Manmohan Singh, we have postal ballots to cast vote under Clause 20 (4) of The Representation of The People Act. This clause has a postal provision for special category people like the President and PM, as in case of officials on poll-duty or security personnel.

According to K Balaji, the returning officer of Kamrup (Metro) district said no application was received from Dr Manmohan Singh seeking postal ballots

“There was no request from the PM within the stipulated time, so there’s no question of his exercising postal ballot,”

Considering the fact that PM Manmohan Singh has not been elected to LokSabha, It is interesting to note how Manmohan Singh ended up reprsenting Assam! Manmohan Singh has been representing Assam in the Upper House since October 1991. Former chief minister Hiteswar Saikia made him his ‘tenant’ and had him registered as a voter overnight to facilitate his nomination. Dr Manmohan Singh has been dutifully paying a nominal rent to Saikia’s widow Hemoprova Saikia for a duplex at Nandan Nagar in Guwahati’s Sarumataria area. Not an Ideal example to quote to younger generation!!

Now back to our original point. All these facts were known to most of people who follow politics closely. But PM not casting vote largely went unnoticed thanks to underreporting my Media! Also, it seems to protect PM from the embarrassment rumors were floated that he voted using postal option

It took BJP Leader and Gujarat CM to bring focus back to this important issue.

And Media Watch is pained the way NDTV is trying to portray this as another political stunt! On the front page they have picture of Narendra Modi with a caption “Spoken like a true politician”. Does NDTV mean to say anyone who raises such issues make them a politician?

Also on the video page, the caption reads

Never a man to miss a political opportunity, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has taken a dig at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for not voting in the Assam election.

This is one issue which Media should have takenup forcefully. Media Watch believes that Indian media failed in that front. After failing their own duty, the best the could have done is to support people who are making this an issue but it seems Media is trying to trivialize even that. SHAME!

ToI could have used a proper picture of 'athirathram'

2011-04-14T09:23:00.000+05:30

Media Watch is not surprised at general lack of Media coverage of 4,000-year-old ritual of 'athirathram' is being performed in Kerala. Improper depiction of actual event is even worse! Please take a look at the picture accompanying ‘athirathram’ news published by ToI! Below is the actual picture of the Athirathram

More Photo of Athirathram can be viewed Here

Is TOI using Morphed pictures of celebrities?

2011-04-14T08:55:00.001+05:30

From the looks of it ToI has used morphed picture of Vidya Balan?

Now its seems this is not the first time ToI has done this. Another blogger DIG TV has reported Times of India caught red handed publishing morphed photo of Kareena Kapoor

DGTV Reports as under

On 9th May 2009, TOI had published Kareena Kapoor's Morphed Photo. Look at her face.

Now, have a look at the original photo of Jeniffer Lopez

Today, I tried to search this photo again with the search title "Draped Desires" but could not find it, which means TOI has removed the photo from its archives.

Question to TOI : What was its purpose to stoop down so low ?

Ms Ruby, NDTV 24X7’s Letter to Yogesh Sheetal, protestor at India Gate

2011-04-13T17:23:00.001+05:30

Yogesh Sheetal has published letter Mr Pradhan has received from Ruby Dhingra

Media Watch’s take on the letter

1. It is still not clear if this is an official letter from NDTV or a personal letter from Ruby as its not issued on NDTV letter head(Assuming this is actual scanned copy)

2. We are also surprised Ms. Ruby decided to directly communicate instead of communicating thru lawyers which is usual practice in such cases

3. We are are also surprised to realise that Ruby inspite of being assaulted (allegedly) has not yet filed a police complaint yet. Neither there is any indication of her visiting a doctor.

4. Media Watch is glad that NDTV has recognized Yogeshs right to protest.

5. Media Watch is confused what Ms Ruby would like to achieve from this letter. She has not requested any action from IIMC. Neither has she demanded an apology from Yogesh.

6. Lastly, it is important to understand that NDTV has not yet reported this incident as a news.

Media Watch believes that this is a personal letter from Ms Ruby to Mr Pradhan (Professor of Yogesh). The objective of this letter is merely to inform.

Based on above understanding we have now changed our headline

Narration of sequence of events by IIMC student Yogesh Shital who was one of the protestors

2011-04-12T06:42:00.001+05:30

Further to our earlier posting on Barkha Dutt, Group Editor, English News reaction to protest at India Gate

Following is the narration of the events by IIMC student Yogesh Shital who was one of the protestors.

TOI: Was this a News or Views?

2011-04-11T07:09:00.001+05:30

This news item from ToI is another case in which Headlines of news has no resemblance to what is reported in the Body. In fact, this may be one of those extreme cases in which the entire news is just a figment of Imagination of the Reporter.

The Headline of the news item says Civil society's victory fails to enthuse BJP. But NOT once (Repeat once) did body of news mentions how the reporter came up with this conclusion?

Barkha Dutt, Group Editor, English News reaction to protest at India Gate

2011-04-10T22:31:00.001+05:30

This is continuation to our earlier blog Anger against Indian Media boils over at India Gate. When twitterati asked Barkha about her reaction, following is what she tweeted

Barkha is within her rights to believe that the people who were involved in protest were “Lumpens and rowdies”

Media Watch would like to understand from Barkha Dutt following -

1. In her opinion were all the protestors at India Gate Lumpens and Rowdies or only the people who protested against NDTV were lumpen and rowdies?

2. NDTV in its reports prominently mentioned the protestors also booed and protested against Uma Bharati. And to the best of knowledge of author NDTV did not classify those protestors as lumpen and rowdies. How is this different from the protest against NDTV?

3. If the people involved in this incident were Lumpens and Rowdies. Has NDTV registered a FIR against them

4. According to your tweet “they punched the show producer” which is a very serious allegation. Has NDTV registered a FIR against the people who were involved in this assault?

5. It is well accepted practice that Media reports to nation any incident involving physical attack on its employees. Also, we would like to understand why has NDTV not yet carried this news item? wont it help expose these so called “Lumpens and Rowdies”.

6. We are a bit confused by conflicting claims in two different tweets.

You tweeted to @amishra77 mentions

@amishra77 yes they punched the show producer. Abhorrent behaviour. We shifted camera and resumed show.

This was again reconfirmed in a subsequent tweet

@StealthPwr @primary_red really? The female producer was hit in the face. The men were assaulted. Lumpenism.

However, your tweet to @sonaliranade says

@sonaliranade at india gate a group of vandals tried to hit one of our show producers. The so called civility of discourse ! Abhorrent

In your first tweet you have confirmed a physical attack while the second indicates an attempt. Could you please clarify which one is the truth?

Anger against Indian Media boils over at India Gate

2011-04-10T15:03:00.001+05:30

This Video shows protestors shouting slogans Barkha Dutt Chor Hai, Barkha Dutt Go Back etc..

This video is a continuation of above video in which protestors are shown shouting slogan Barkha Go Back

This Video shows protestors Booing CNN IBN

Its high time Indian take a deep breath and ponder on where they stand in grand scheme of things

Why is http://indiaagainstcorruption.org/ not working?

2011-04-08T10:12:00.001+05:30

We are unable to access http://indiaagainstcorruption.org/ website for reasons unknown. We hope there is no foul play involved.

The website opens at http://www.indiaagainstcorruption.info/

ED wants to question Pondicherry LG, NDTV tells only half the story

2011-04-08T09:48:00.001+05:30

NDTV reports Hasan Ali case: Enforcement Directorate wants to question Pondicherry Lieutenant Governor, say sources

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) reportedly wants to question Pondicherry Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Iqbal Singh, in Hasan Ali case.

It is strange that NDTV forgets to mention that Pondicerry LG Dr. Iqbal Singh is a senior congress leader also. Wiki reports Dr. Iqbal Singh has the distinction of holding several significant positions in the Indian National Congress, including Secretary, All India Congress Committee for 12 continuous years and is a permanent member of Congress Working Committee.

Has Band of faithful in media started “Protect Sonia” campaign?

2011-04-08T07:00:00.001+05:30

Anna’s movement is gaining momentum, congress is increasingly getting isolated. Now is the time you can expect articles and news in media intended to protect two key stakeholders in the ruling establishment – Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi

ToI article Lokpal Bill: Govt bows to janata mantra as Sonia Gandhi too backs Anna Hazare's crusade makes no attempt to hide their intentions. They report

Three days after Anna Hazare began fasting to demand civil society's participation in drafting the Lokpal Bill — which will provide for a mechanism to check government corruption — a ringing endorsement by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi has pushed the government into a corner

So ToI wants us to believe that Sonia Gandhi’s selected (NOT ELECTED) prime minister and government made of her own party members is not listening to her so and she has to push them into corner by endorsing Anna Hazares movement!!

As if this was not enough ToI article yesterday read Sonia Gandhi pleads but Anna Hazare doesn't give up as talks fail. The headline gives an impression that Anna is arrogant in his demand while sonia is “pleading”

NDTV homepage report Thank you Sonia, but please do more, says Anna Hazare and the accompanying picture is also noteworthy. Sonia Gandhi may not have visited Anna Hazare… but then why should she when photoshop can do wonders. We guess Larger size Sonia behind Anna pondering is just coincidental.

Hindustan Times in its article Hazare has Sonia's vote reports

Following calls for her intervention, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday appealed to Anna Hazare to end his fast, demanding a joint committee to draft a strong Lokpal Bill. As support for the anti-corruption crusader grew across the country, Gandhi stepped in and issued a statement, saying she was pained by Hazare's indefinite fast.

What ever Media may want us to believe the fact of the day is Sonia is presiding over a party which has given us Indias most corrupt government in India. and if Sonia Really wanted Annas Hunger Strike would not have reached 4th day

NDTV loves photoshop

2011-04-07T20:25:00.001+05:30

Sonia Gandhi may not have visited Anna Hazare… but then why should she when photoshop can do wonders…..

We guess Larger size Sonia behind Anna pondering is just coincidental

NDTV goes Gaga over Afridis statement

2011-04-07T14:15:00.001+05:30

NDTV Reports Now Afridi opens his heart, praises Dhoni

"I thought Dhoni led the Indians very shrewdly and performed brilliantly in the final. India is lucky to have a stable captain like him,

Media Watch would like to understand from NDTV which part of body Afridi may have opened while making following comments as it is certain he cannot speak both from heart.

In my opinion, if I have to tell the truth, they (Indians) will never have hearts like Muslims and Pakistanis. I don't think they have the large and clean hearts that Allah has given us. It is a very difficult thing for us to live with them (Indians) or to have long-term relationship with them. Nothing will come out of talks. See how many times in the past 60 years we have had friendship and then how many times things have gone bad

Anna Hazare - The rise of Aam Admi for the Aam Admi

2011-04-05T23:31:00.001+05:30

In normal circumstances, we donot write retort to posts published by fellow bloggers. But these are not ordinary times and Media Watch believes that Anna Hazare's Indefinite hunger strike is an issue of national importance. We think it is important that we counter and nip at bud the negative arguments being raised by fellow bloggers at offstumped and other "national interest" think tanks.

Few weeks back, I ended up in front of the big screen to see this much anticipated animation movie called Rango. Its about an ordinary chameleon who accidentally winds up in the town of Dirt, a lawless outpost in the Wild West in desperate need of a new sheriff. With a little bit of luck, Rango becomes sheriff and last hope for citizens of dirt. Even though the movie didnot live up to expectations, One of several memorable quotes in the movie was

You see them, Mr Rango? All my friends and neighbors. It’s a hard life here. Very hard. Do you know how they make it through each and everyday? They believe. They believe it’s going to be better. The believe that the water will come. They believe against all odds and evidence that tomorrow will be better than today. [he opens a wooden box which contains Sheriff badges] People have to believe in something. Right now, they believe in you.

Town of Dirt throws their full weight behind Rango in the end restoring sanity in the town.

There are many parallels between the plot of Rango and the current social environment in India. India today is facing an unprecedented situation which is no different from the situation in Dirt. Corruption is eating into every foundation and fabric of society be it legislators, press, Judiciary or police no one is immune. Perhaps for first time in history of India corruption is not measured in lakhs and crores but in percentage of GDP.(At last count it stood at 4% of India GDP). Public furore over recent scams indicate that as a nation we are starting to realize that eradicating corruption must be one of the priorities. But inspite of heightened awareness one cant help but despair when prime minister of the nation who is expected to lead this fight against corruption tries to justify corruption as a compromise need to be made in coalition government.

Situation has come to such a head that normal piecemeal measures will not solve this deluge. Rhetoric calling for structural changes or institutions which can produce 100 clean politicians, 1000 bureaucrats etc will also not work. As all of these depends on good intentions of ruling class. How can we rest our hope on a Government which appoints people of questionable characters as Central Vigilance commissioner and as head of GoM formulating proposed anti-corruption bill, effectively handing the house to thieves.

This is also not a fight which can be won by a few good men or women. Instead of breast-beating over the sorry state of affairs, the Aam Admi must rise in anger and get actively involved in rooting out the corruption. He has to fight and agitate to effect paradigm changes in the system what ever it may be. Its amusing some people raising concern on mode of agitation being used by Anna. This country was born from satyagrahas of Mahtma Gandhi. We used same methods to fight emergency declared by congress government. This whole canard about "subversion of democracy' due to Anna Hazare's fast is merely a red herring by some armchair theorists who stands to benefit from current states of affairs. An abnormal reaction is required for abnormal situation. Need of hour is our own Jasmine revolution against corruption. one can't make an omelets without breaking eggs.

Changes in any form and shape is welcome as it will only strengthen the fight & resolve against corruption. Change can be in form a Jan Lokpal bill. Yes you may argue on draft of the proposed Jan lokpal bill but it is still a step forward in right direction. If one had waited for a perfect bill we would not have even got our constitution considering the fact we have effected 94 amendments to the Constitution of India in last 60 years! The important fact is it atleast demonstrates seriousness of our intentions to fight corruption head-on. In a country which thrives on symbolism, demonstration of intention is sometimes enough to bring positive changes. Change can even be hardening of public resolve against corruption. History littered with examples when mass agitations have changed the way how society responds to a certain issue.

Unfortunately, for common man to rise he need to believe.... He needs to believe in the possibility of a better tomorrow... He need to believe in a selfless leader who will show them the path. In other words if town of Dirt needed a Rango with sheriff badge, India needs Anna Hazare to believe it. And if one were to follow the chatter in social media or mass outpouring of support we can be certain that Anna has caught the imagination of the mass. India it seems has finally found a savior who would lead them in a do or die battle against corruption

This is not the moment to ponder and reflect. This is moment of action not to be missed at any cost. Citizen of India has to ignore & isolate the asuras who will sow seeds of doubt in your mind. Every Indian has to come forward and immerse themselves to the fight against corruption. If not the future generation will never forgive us

Vande Matram

So once more NDTV why SRK missed the final?

2011-04-04T12:27:00.001+05:30

Earlier in the month, NDTV informed us that SRK suffered a hairline toe fracture while shooting, which has stopped him from cheering for the Boys in Blue at Wankhede stadium.

Wondering why Shah Rukh Khan and family aren't cheering for Team India, as promised? Here's why! We hear that SRK yesterday suffered a hairline toe fracture while shooting, which has stopped him from cheering for the Boys in Blue at Wankhede stadium.
Shah Rukh, who watched the semi-final with friends Farhan Akhtar, Karan Johar, Hrithik and Suzzanne Roshan at his home 'Mannat', had expressed a desire to catch the final match at the stadium with wife Gauri and kids Suhana and Aryan.
"We will win the final also. Inshallah! The kids want to go and see. So I have to go there and watch the finals," Shah Rukh had declared after India's win over Pakistan.
But alas, his dream remained a dream. Never mind, he can always cheer his heart out in the comfort of his home.

Fair Enough perfectly valid argument.

But then it gets confusing when one sees this picture of SRK celebrating on the streets, waving the Indian flag (upside down). Fracture prevented him to go to wankede stadium but didnt prevent him from celebrating in streets. Possible…….

Sagarika need to clarify

2011-03-31T19:51:00.001+05:30

Media Watch would like to seek following clarifications from Sagarika Ghosh CNN IBN journalist on following tweet

1. Correct Sequence of colours in Indian Tricolour is Saffron , White and Green – We hope wrong sequence of colour in the tweet was unintentional

2. We noticed the sequence of colours Green and saffron matched with religion of Zaheer & Munaf. We hope this was also coincidental

ToI takes a disgusting and Cheap Shot at Sangh Parivar!

2011-03-31T09:21:00.001+05:30

Times of India takes a cheap Shot at Sangh Parivar by calling Lankan Team Sanga Parivar!!!

Thanks @SKS_Mumbai for lead

@scamsutra has done a great analysis of the news report

Every one covered Cricket in Mohali only NDTV covered Many moods of Rahul in Mohali

2011-03-30T20:12:00.001+05:30

The nations attention may be focused on the cricket pitch but NDTV has their attention at right place. In a photo feature they have captured many moods of Rahul Gandhi at Mohali

This is how he looked in Mohali!

Rahul Acknowledging the crowd

Even before the result he was worried about Indias fate!

Also he poses for his fans

And once India Won the Game, how can NDTV let go such a brilliant opportunity to earn some brownie point for Rahul Gandhi. This the screenshot from NDTV page

Media Watch would like to understand from NDTV what was the role of Rahul Gandhi in this win? Was he part of cricket India? is he part of BCCI?

After the online uproar, NDTV changed the screen to

Glad NDTV team knows Whats more important

So was it a slap or a motion of Hand that grazed face or just a push?

2011-03-29T07:37:00.001+05:30

This is further to yesterdays shameful incident in which congress agriculture minister YS Vivekananda Reddy slapped TDP MLA.

If yesterdays news reports avoided mentioning congress name in the report. Today, it seems that they are even diluting his shameful act.

Yesterday ToI in its news report YSR's brother slaps MLA during Andhra assembly session reported the incident as

,a visibly angry Vivekananda Reddy got up from his seat, walked to the TDP benches and started arguing with its senior member G Muddukrishnammaaidu. Even as the argument was in progress, TDP MLA Prabhakar, who was in the second row, said something to the minister who promptly slapped him and when he attempted to slap the TDP MLA for the second time, Muddukrishnammanaidu came in between and took the blow on his shoulder.

But now within 24 hours it seems the Indian news cant make up its mind on whether it was a slap or a motion of hand that grazed the face or was it pushing and shoving

ToI in its report Viveka ‘slaps’ TDP MLA for anti-YSR rant narrates the incident as

A furious Vivekananda then aimed a slap at Prabhakar that grazed his face. When he attempted again, Muddukrishnamma intervened because of which the blow aimed at Prabhakar brushed the senior TDP MLA and tore the latter's pocket.

I am not sure which part of town ToI lives, but in my part of town such acts are invariable called slapping!

NDTV even refused to acknowledge that there was a physical contact! In their report YSR's brother tries to slap MLA narrates the incident as

A minister in Andhra Pradesh - the brother of the former Chief Minister YSR Reddy - tried to hit an MLA today in the Andhra Pradesh Assembly.

Hindustan report YSR's brother manhandles TDP MLAs in Andhra house goes a step further and says minister only pushed the MLA

The angry minister rushed to TDP legislators C Prabhakar and GMK Naidu, snatched the placards, showered abuses and even pushed Prabhakar.

So according to HT, congress agriculture minister YS Vivekananda only pushed TDP MLAs who promptly retaliated. Then it was other

Media goes all out to protect congress image in Andhra Pradesh

2011-03-28T12:30:00.001+05:30

This entry pertains to shocking incident perhaps first time in Independent India when a Congress minister in the AP government slapped an opposition MLA right in the assembly. The incident happened when TDP MLAs raised slogans minutes after the house met, a visibly angry Vivekananda Reddy got up from his seat, walked to the TDP benches and started arguing with its senior member G Muddukrishnammaaidu. Even as the argument was in progress, TDP MLA Prabhakar, who was in the second row, said something to the minister who promptly slapped him and when he attempted to slap the TDP MLA for the second time, Muddukrishnammanaidu came in between and took the blow on his shoulder.

And how do Media report

NDTV reports this as YSR's brother tries to slap MLA. In their entire report, NDTV not once NOT EVEN ONCE mention that Vivekananda Reddy is from congress. Most of time he is either addressed as YSR’s brother or minister in Andhra Pradesh NDTV introduces him as

A minister in Andhra Pradesh - the brother of the former Chief Minister YSR Reddy

ToI also reports the same incident as YSR's brother slaps MLA during Andhra assembly session. Again in the entire report there is no mention that Vivekananda Reddy is from congress. ToI introduces him as

Y S Vivekananda Reddy, the brother of former chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy who is a member of the legislative council and present in the assembly in his capacity as agriculture minister.

Indian Express report YSR's brother slaps MLA for insulting former CM is also in similar line.

Media Watch would like to understand is this new official position that all the people would be mentioned by their relations? Can we expect to see news Sonia Wife of Rajiv Gandhi said or Rahul Gandhi Son of Sonia Gandhi said so and so?

For the unaware Y.S. Vivekananda Reddy is congress handpicked man to counter Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy who has revolted against congress leadership. He is expected to be fielded against Vijayalakshmi wife, YSR’s widow, for the Pulivendula Assembly bypoll.

Is NDTV publishing only leaks against BJP in WikiLeak?

2011-03-28T11:30:00.001+05:30

The above is screenshot of NDTV webpage giving information of Wikileaks. Please note out of all the wikileak documents published NDTV has reported (atleast on their wikileaks cables page) only which are negative to BJP

Times when you overshoot the target

2011-03-28T10:25:00.001+05:30

This covers the ToI article “Austerity: 100% dip in ministers travel cost”. Even a class 05 student will tell ToI that 100% reduction of something is zero!

ToI did eventually correct themselves in their online article after adverse reaction from readers Austerity pays: Sharp decline in ministers' travel expenses

Tehelka’s biz paper venture has been aborted.

2011-03-25T08:48:00.001+05:30

Exchange4Media reports that Financial World, Tehelka’s biz paper venture has been aborted. The decision has been taken because of a funding crunch and many of the senior editors who joined the project has already left the group.

Those who have reportedly left the project according to the report include Executive Editor Prem Shankar Jha, Business Editor Shantanu Guha Ray, Political Editor MK Shukla, Foreign Editor Shastri Ramchandran, and Science Editor Prakash Chandra, among others.

According to a Medianewsline report K.D. Singh of Alchemist group who is a majority stakeholder in Anant Media and owns Financial World title has withdrawn from the biz paper project.

Here’s the letter that’s going around the web and reportedly sent to colleagues by Hardev Sanotra, Managing Editor, Financial World.

Hi. It’s bad news for all of us.

Tarun Tejpal this afternoon addressed the staff in Delhi and in essence said that the FW project was off. He said that efforts were made to make it possible to keep the project going but it was not possible. There were mistakes made in senior hiring, and the planning part of it and it was with deep regret that he was taking the decision not to go ahead with it. He said he would ask everyone to start looking for a job, but that the company would give salaries till end of February if someone does not find a job earlier.
It’s a sad development since we were till recently all charged up to bring out the paper.
The immediate fallout is that we will not be covering news anymore and there would be no updates for the web. You need not come to the office. The salary for Jan will be paid as usual on Feb 7 and the rest of the settlement will be done in first week of March.
There will be a few from the team which Tarun is making effort to absorb in Magazine or Web, but the number may be small.
Some of the staffers here in Delhi have requested Tarun if March salary can be paid too. He said people should try and find jobs, and if some of you are unable to do so even till March, “we will do our best.”
At some stage I will talk to you, individually.

Regards
Hardev Sanotra

What caught our attention is the name of journalists who joined this venture.

Reply on Tehelka’s “true story” with factual information–“unverifiable information”

2011-03-24T20:49:00.001+05:30

This is second one in series of blogs which will evaluate Tehelkas claim with some factual data.

After attacking the cable for “alleged inaccuracies Tehelka now moves on to say there was nothing in cable to authenticate the claims in cable

Sensational as the cable was, there was nothing to prove whether its claims were true and much of it could have been passed off as empty boast by a low-level Congress fixer arrogating more relevance to him than he actually possessed.

The best way to measure the value/importance of a stolen good is by gauging the reaction of owner. similarly, US reaction would tell us if the diplomatic cables are of value or not.

So the best method to understand if there is any substance in the leaked diplomatic cables is by evaluating the reaction of US. As soon as the cables were publishes the White House released a statement condemning their release.

"Such disclosures put at risk our diplomats, intelligence professionals, and people around the world who come to the US for assistance in promoting democracy and open government. By releasing stolen and classified documents, WikiLeaks has put at risk not only the cause of human rights but also the lives and work of these individuals."

Is that admission “release of cables would to put peoples life at risk” in itself not an authentication of cables?

Also, Secretary of state Clinton led a frantic damage limitation exerciseas Washington prepared foreign governments for the revelations, contacting leaders in Germany, Saudi Arabia, the Gulf, France and Afghanistan. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also called External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna on December 23, 2010 and according to P.J. Crowley, the then State Department spokesperson

“The Secretary and the Minister agreed that unauthorised release of classified cables would not affect cooperation between India and the United States,”

Why would Secretary of state Clinton & SM Krishna agree about serious consequence of the cable if it consisted of “unverifiable information”.

Lastly, 22-year-old intelligence analyst Bradley Manning who was charged with leaking many of these cables is now facing a courtmartial and is under permanent isolation and confinement for last 300 days! Hardly the stuff you do with someone who released “unverifiable” information!

Having questioned the accuracy & veracity of information in cable Tehelka now proceeds to tell the audience how cash for vote sting operation does not meet the gold standards of sting operation. Thus questionable

Usually, sting operations are the most conclusive form of investigative journalism. The audio-video evidence of wrongdoings leaves little scope of denial or contestation. But, strangely, the cash-for-votes sting continued to be mired in controversies and dubious claims and counterclaims long after it was aired.
Perhaps one reason for this is that the sting was not an independent journalistic exercise and was done in collaboration with a political party. But, there are many other questions that neither the channel nor the contesting political parties—the BJP, the Congress and the SP—have satisfactorily answered till date.

Does tehelka mean to say that sting operation is an exclusive domain of “investigative journalism”? And this facility is not available to a a political party who decides to expose a grave issue. If political parties cannot be involved how exactly Tehelka can carry out a sting operation when whistle blower is a MP?

Reply on Tehelka’s “true story” with factual information

2011-03-23T22:26:00.001+05:30

Tehelka in their report Cash-for-Votes Scandal: A trap. And a cover-up has claimed that have brought to light “true story of one of the biggest scandals in recent Indian parliamentary history “

Over a period of next few days Media Watch will evaluate Tehelkas claim with some factual data.

At first glance, Tehelka story seems to be narration of the actual incident with some claims sprinkled in between. Following is the first para in which Tehelka made some claims

There were several inaccuracies in this cable that made it problematic. Nachiketa Kapur was not a formal aide of Satish Sharma but a Congress hanger-on who was sacked from service in the past by Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury for corruption. The RLD had three MPs at the time, not four. And the Lok Sabha records show that none of them voted in favour of the UPA government.

1. Nothing new Tehelka seems to be repeating the excuses made by congress that Nachiketa Kapur in not a formal aide of satish sharma.

FACTS: Note how the word formal is inserted before aide. Cable 162458: secret never claimed that Nachiketa Kapur was formal aide of Satish Sharma. They mentioned him as “Sharma's political aide Nachiketa Kapur” . The free dictionary defines aide as “An assistant or a helper” and by Tehelkas own admission “Nachiketa Kapur was a political hanger-on” a political helper (or aide) in other words.

2. Then Tehelka claims that he was sacked from service by Renuka Chowdhury for corruption.

FACTS: Nachiketa Kapur was OSD to Renuka Chowdhury while she held the Tourism portfolio in 2004, he was then promoted by her as her Personal Secretary when she moved to Women and Child Development. However in 2008, the Appointments Committee of Cabinet turned down a proposal to formalise his appointment as her Officer on Special Duty after the intelligence department gave an "adverse" report against him and remarked that he "should not be considered for any appointment of a sensitive nature." Not only Kapur's appointment was cancelled. it was done with retrospective effect from the date of recommendation as OSD. So it was not Renuka Chowdhury who cancelled his appointment, in fact she had given him promotion!

Curiously, It seems Tehelka forgot to mention that another senior congress leader Suresh Kalmadi who headed IOA overlooked the recommendation of ACC and appointed Kapur as an office-bearer in the Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee. He was appointed deputy director general (DDG), protocol and media, in the CWG OC. He was even part of OC delegation that visited London as part of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) ceremonies. How all this is possible if a person was just sacked by a senior leader of same party for corruption – defies logic?

3. Lastly, Tehelka again uses the same argument which congress used that there were several inaccuracies in this cable - RLD had three MPs at the time, not four. And the Lok Sabha records show that none of them voted in favour of the UPA government.!

FACTS: The fact is the cable did not get its fact wrong. Vote count of RLD is mentioned at two places in the cable.

In the first place it cable writes

Behind the scenes, the Congress Party machine is working overtime. Sonia Gandhi reportedly plans to meet Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) leader Shibu Soren and Janata Dal Secular (JD-S) leader H.D. Deve Gowda. Retaining the support of JMM's five seats and the JD-S's three seats is reportedly vital to the UPA government's strategy. In exchange for retaining the support of the three votes of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD), the Congress Party has reportedly pledged its support to rename Lucknow's Amausi airport after Chaudhary Charan Singh, father of RLD leader Ajit Charan Singh, who may also get a cabinet seat.

So cable did get the facts on number of seats of RLD correct first time, please note this is a statement made by the author of report itself.

In the second place cable quotes Sharma's political aide Nachiketa Kapur (Its important to understand that here cable is actually repeating what nachiketa kapur said)

Sharma's political aide Nachiketa Kapur mentioned to an Embassy staff member in an aside on July 16 that Ajit Singh's RLD had been paid Rupees 10 crore (about $2.5 million) for each of their four MPs to support the government. Kapur mentioned that money was not an issue at all, but the crucial thing was to ensure that those who took the money would vote for the government. Kapur showed the Embassy employee two chests containing cash and said that around Rupees 50-60 crore (about $25 million) was lying around the house for use as pay-offs.

Would it not be possible that instead of cable getting it wrong it was Nachiketa Kapur who got his facts wrong or perhaps even deliberately exaggerating to showoff that they have required numbers to win the vote of confidence? And in true ‘unbiased’ reporting style reported just repeated what was told to them!

4. Lastly on the issue of RLD members not voting.

FACTS: This risk is acknowledged and mentioned in the cable itself. The cable quotes

Kapur mentioned that money was not an issue at all, but the crucial thing was to ensure that those who took the money would vote for the government.

So even when Kapur was bribing he was aware of the risk that all the MP’s who took money may not vote in congress favour!

This is how NDTV headlines todays happening

2011-03-23T21:32:00.001+05:30

This is headlines in NDTV on todays happening.

If you are just an headline reader you can be excused for think today PM reiterated his innocence and he was so relaxed that he even sang a couplet to Opposition Leader Sushma. While it was BJP lead by LKA who thinks being PM is his birthright managed the sting operation!

Indian Media Didnot report this - Can you recognize the face in the report

2011-03-23T15:23:00.001+05:30

The most popular magazine of Switzerland, Schweizer Illustrierte, [dated November 11, 1991] did an expose of 14 politicians mostly despots of developing nations who, it said, had stashed their bribes in Swiss banks. The title of the expose in German read "Fluchgelder - Die Schweizer Konten der Dictatoren". In English it meant, "Curse of money - The Swiss bank accounts of the Dictators". Rajiv Gandhi figured in the expose as one with slush funds in secret accounts. Schweizer Illustrierte is not some rag newspaper. It is the Number One Swiss magazine and sells some 215'268 copies. Its readership is 917'000 - some 15 per cent of Swiss adults. The magazine had mentioned specific amounts in secret Swiss accounts of different leaders with their pictures alongside.

Lies, Lies and more Lies on Cash for votes scam but media just wont expose congress

2011-03-21T21:35:00.001+05:30

This entry to Media Watch focuses on Prime Minister Manmohan Singh defense of the UPA government in parliament over cash for votes scandal. Sadly, none of our media has taken the effort to expose the hollowness of arguments forwarded by PM.

In his speech in parliament, PM Manmohan Singh among other things states

The allegations of bribery were investigated by a committee constituted by the 14th Lok Sabha. The Committee had concluded that there was insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion of bribery.

Do the committee constituted by the 14th Lok Sabha reported that there was insufficient evidence to draw any conclusion of bribery?

Lets first understand the scope of the committee. This is defined in the Introduction and Procedure section of the report. It states

I, the Chairman of the Committee to Inquire into complaint made by some members regarding alleged offer of money to them in connection with voting on motion of confidence having been authorized by the Committee to submit the Report on their behalf, present this their Report to the Speaker.

It is amply clear that the committee was not setup to inquire in the entire issue of use of money for buying votes during motion of confidence. It was specifically setup to look into complains made by BJP MP’s Sarvashri Ashok Argal, Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir Bhagora. So how can PM use findings of this committee with restricted mandate to conclude for all complains of “buying of votes”

Then what did committee conclude?

On the role of Sanjeev Saxena who is alleged to be an employee of Amar Singh- the person who has been charged of being a conduit for delivering the money to the three MP’s committee concluded

As regards Shri Sanjeev Saxena, the Committee are also constrained to observe that there are many loopholes and loose ends in his testimony. He conceded having given the money to the said three members on 22 August, 2008 at the residence of Shri Argal, as he could not have possibly denied the veracity of the tapes provided by CNN-IBN showing him delivering the money. The clarification sought to be given by him in this regard are not at all convincing to say the least.

Shri Saxena was a bribe giver wittingly or unwittingly. He, therefore, does not enjoy any immunity under article 105(2) of the Constitution. Evidently, he did not know that the members were whistle blowers. Hence, he could very well be giving bribe with a view to influencing the members in their parliamentary conduct. Several posers have come up before the Committee…On whose behest Shri Saxena was operating; if it was on behalf of Shri Amar Singh, as alleged—why did he go to BJP office at Ashoka Road—from where the bag of money is stated to have been loaded into his car. Was Saxena hijacked and coerced into completing an operation that had been aborted for a consideration?

The Committee, after taking stock of the situation in its entirety, are of the considered
view that the role and involvement of Shri Sanjeev Saxena in the matter needs to be further
investigated. Since the Committee do not have the wherewithal of an investigating agency,
it would be in the fitness of things if the matter is inquired into by an investigating agency

So unlike what PM stated in Parliament committee did conclude that bribery was given. and also it recommended that matter is to inquired into by an investigating agency. Only thing which committee did not find if “on whose behest he was operating”

In conclusion, it seems that PM is not only not stating the complete facts about the committee report but also using the report of a committee setup to inquire a narrow subject in different context.

The saga of IBN sting operation on cash-for-vote scam

2011-03-17T20:05:00.001+05:30

The secret U.S. state department cable obtained by WikiLeaks and published by The Hindu newspaper today has once again confirmed that Congress bought opposition MPs to survive its crucial vote of confidence over the government's nuclear deal with the US.

But our story is not this. Our story is about of how CNN-IBN did not to air the tape of the TV sting operation on cash-for-vote scam on July 22 (the day on which crucial trust voting happened).

The story starts on on 20 July when Amar Singh announced at a press conference in New Delhi that BJP MP, Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh, would support the Government in the trust vote and also claimed more non-UPA MPs would defect soon. He stated

“We have opened our first card,“When we open our other cards on 22 July, many will be taken aback.”

As expected intermediaries approached BJP MP’s Ashok Argal (Morena, Madhya Pradesh), Shri Mahavir Bhagora (Salumbar, Rajasthan) and Shri Faggan Singh Kulaste (Mandla, Madhya Pradesh). The BJP MPs immediately alerted the party leaders about the same. It was decided to trap the entire episode through sting. Since BJP did not have the necessary wherewithal to carry out the sting by themselves they approached IBN (there are some reports that NDTV was also approached but we have nothing to substantiate this claim)

This is when CNN-IBN agreed to record and telecast the whistle-blowing operation and deputed their correspondent Siddharth Gautam to record the whistle-blowing operation . Other members of the team were Saif R. Kidwai as the Producer, Karamveer and Sudesh as the Camerapersons and Rohit Khanna as Executive Producer

On July 21, the three BJP MP’s receives a message from Rewati Raman Singh, a senior leader of the Samajwadi Party and its MP, that he would meet the MPs at the residence of Shri Ashok Argal at 4, Ferozeshah Road. The meeting happened after midnight. In the meeting finer details such as amount payable, their meeting next day with Amar Singh were discussed and agreed. The entire meeting and conversation was recorded by the CNN-IBN team, who had bugged the room with hidden cameras. They had even fitted hidden cameras behind the shirts worn by Kulaste and Baghora.

On June 22, BJP MP’s Ashok Argal and Faggan Singh Kulaste were taken for the meeting with Amar Singh at his residence at 27 Lodhi Estate in a white Maruti Zen. The car was followed by CNN-IBN’s car with Siddharth Gautam. The visit to Amar Singh’s house and back was video recorded by the CNN-IBN reporter. During the meeting, payment details were finalised.

As promised by Amar Singh’s his assistant Sanjeev Saxena, arrived at the residence of Ashok argal at 4, Ferozeshah Road. Since the meeting room was already bugged with hidden cameras, this meeting was also recorded. Rs. one crore was paid as initial token amount and the balance of Rs. 8 crore was
promised to be paid later. This entire episode was also recorded by the CNN-IBN team consisting of Siddharth Gautam, three more persons from the CNN-IBN team. After Sanjeev Saxena’s departure, the CNN-IBN team rearranged the bundles on the table and captured on camera the serial numbers of the first and the last currency notes in each of the ten bundles. Thereafter, Gautam Siddharth conducted an elaborate interview with MPs in the same room, with the amount of Rs. 1 crore placed in front of them on the table. The interview was recorded on a regular camera and included a full narration of the entire sequence of two days.

Siddharth Gautam also recorded an introduction to the investigative report which, among other things, said,

“For the first time in the history of Indian Parliament, the scandal of horse-trading has been captured on camera by the investigative team of CNN-IBN”.

The CNN-IBN team completed their recordings, removed their bugging equipment from the room and left the house at around noon on July 22 after assuring everyone involved that programme, along with the promo, would be telecast within a few minutes of the MPs displaying the currency notes inside Parliament.

However, to the shock of everyone involved IBN did not telecast the tapes as promised. According to Arun Jaitley,

First, CNN-IBN claimed that the tapes were not of ‘telecastable’ quality — a spurious claim in the light of their subsequent showing. Then the channel claimed it didn’t have enough time to complete the investigation.

Interestingly, IBN instead of broadcasting handed it over the tapes to the Speaker’s Office on July 23, 2008. In their letter to speaker, IBN explained the reason them not airing the tapes

Since our investigation was an ongoing one and we were still in the process of investigation and verification, we chose not to air the tapes till we had fully completed the process. As you are aware, as responsible news channel, our first priority is to authenticate every information that we obtain before choosing to air it. We are a fiercely independent channel that prides itself on a sense of journalistic responsibility above all else and our first responsibility will always be to our viewers.

Faced with immense public criticism, IBN decided to telecast the tapes on July 26. But Shortly before the proposed telecast, CNN-IBN backtracked again as according to them the ‘Speaker’s office’ had requested the channel not to telecast the tapes. The Speaker later asserted that it was for the channel to decide whether to telecast or not. The tapes were telecasted only on 11th Aug 2008 almost 20 days after the sting operations. And the reason given by IBN for same was

Telecasting the tapes 'prematurely" may have impaired the investigation being conducted by the Parliament panel.

On July 31, Sajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief of CNN-IBN, issued a statement Why CNN-IBN did not telecast trust vote sting on the channel’s position in this entire issue. The statement among other things also states

Moreover, the 'sting' operation we conducted was unique in that neither were we participants, nor were we engaging in 'entrapment' by offering cash, nor were we under a false identity.
We were, as is accepted in practices in the international press, 'flies on the wall', simply recording an alleged bribery operation, without interfering in it at any stage.
Why have we not telecast the story so far? Quite simply, we have chosen not to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete.
Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions. Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight.

Shockingly, IBN reported UPA win of July 22 trust as SINGH IS KING: UPA WINS TRUST VOTE without a single word of the sting which they were supposed to telecast during this time.

Media website Hoot in their article To sting or not to sting? raises important questions?

Is it the job of a TV channel to provide proof to any Constitutional authority, in this case the Speaker, before it could telecast the news to its viewers?
Does this not give handle to critics to allege that the channel was silenced? In fact, in a panel discussion in another channel, this was hinted.
It is possible that the channel might have felt that it was taken for a ride by unscrupulous politicians and thus the whole episode was quite fishy. So, it was not fair to telecast the tape since the channel itself was not convinced about the authenticity of the whole operation. In such a case there was no need for the channel to hand over the tape to the Speaker.
The editor-in-chief of the channel gave quite a righteous bite that the channel did not want to be part of the bitter political battle. For the last one week, politicians and the media have been making allegations that lot of money is changing hands. Politicians especially from the UPA, named parties from where there will be abstentions or cross voting to bail out the UPA. In many discussion forums on the channels, the media was taunted for not doing anything to investigate these charges and the anchors were only asking "Where are such huge amounts coming from?" When CNN-IBN did a sting to expose such dirty operations, why did they feel shy of telecasting the news, especially in the context of the channels outsourcing such sting operations in the past for an astronomical fee?
A statement from the channel says "While trying to investigate deeper into this trail, we realized that the issue needed further probing and we could not at this stage telecast it without further verification". If the job was only half done, why did the channel decide to hand over the incomplete tape to the Speaker? What purpose does it serve?
The statement further says: "We are also aware that as the matter involves honourable members of Parliament and involves a question of parliamentary privileges, the media needs to be extra cautious before airing or telecasting any such news". This is quite funny. The "cash for query" sting and scam involving MPs Constituency Development Fund, related to "honorable members of Parliament" and the channels that telecast these sting operations received applause from all quarters. No channel was punished for breach of privilege. Why did CNN IBN develop cold feet on this sting, especially when it claims "Whatever it takes"?
Is the reluctance to telecast due to the fact that the concerned MPs preempted the channel by disclosing the "Cash for Votes" operation on the floor of the House violating an understanding? Telecast of the tape, after the operation was exposed on the floor of the house, would give the impression that the channel was in cahoots with the BJP and was trying to support the BJP in the murky political scenario. If the bribe episode allegedly by the SP was true, the channel should not have bothered about the after-effects of telecast and should have stood by the truth. Only then, their tagline "Whatever it takes" would be credible. Otherwise, it is only a verbal jugglery.
"Publish and be damned" is the idiom mediamen are taught right from the journalism schools. How far is this relevant today? That is the crucial question.

Media Watch would like to understand following from CNN IBN

what additional preparation/information did IBN present when IBN finally telecasted the tapes after 20 days of preparatory work? Did IBN investigate and expose on whose behalf did Sanjeev Saxena deliver the money to the MPs? Did IBN expose who and which organisation was the brain behind the cash for vote operation? Did IBN find out on whats basis UPA giverment spokesperson's asserted that they were going to manage victory with cross-voting and abstention?What additional information IBN gathered from 22nd or 23rd of July 2008 to 11 August to make the case water tight, the nation deserves to know.
IBN also claimed that this sting was unique as IBN was ‘flies on the wall’. Is this editorial policy of IBN? or was it reserved for just this case? We would like to draw the attention of IBN to a similar sting operation by the IBN Network and Cobrapost which exposed some MLAs from Congress, BJP and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha in Jharkhand who were willing to vote for a Rajya Sabha candidate in return for money. In this sting carried out by the IBN Network and Cobrapost in June, 2010 showed certain MLAs demanding money to the tune of over Rs one crore from reporters who posed as middlemen and asked for votes for an RS candidate. The investigation, carried for over a month, purportedly showed that the MLAs entered into bargaining with the decoy middlemen and some of them even demanded cars along with money.
Lastly, IBN claims that credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed. Media Watch differs on this. It is true that media has the right to decide its own programming. However, the freedom and the right has to be exercised considering what is in the larger public interest.
Media Watch would like to draw IBN’s attention to Arun Jaitleys statement on this

When a whistle blower alerts an investigator, the investigated material is held in trust for public interest by the investigation. It does not become the private property of the investigator. This is the misconception the channel suffered from.

This blog posting is base on following information

1. REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE TO INQUIRE INTO THE COMPLAINT MADE BY
SOME MEMBERS REGARDING ALLEGED OFFER OF MONEY TO THEM IN
CONNECTION WITH VOTING ON THE MOTION OF CONFIDENCE
(FOURTEENTH LOK SABHA)

2. Arun Jailtleys Channel tunnel vision

3. Written statement made by Sudheendra Kulkarni, the former aide to prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee

4. Blogpost from fellow blogger SUDHIR KUMAR

Editors fined for Ayodhya report

2011-03-16T21:38:00.001+05:30

DNA Reports Editors fined for Ayodhya report

The Allahabad high court has fined the editor of an English wire service and editor and reporter of a regional Hindi daily for projecting that its Ayodhya verdict of last year was aided by certain rare books supplied by libraries owned by the government or its instrumentalities.

A bench of justices SU Khan, Sudhir Agarwal and VK Dixit had ordered three-way division of the disputed land — one-third going to Sunni Waqf Board, one-third to Nirmohi Akhara and one-third to Ram Lalla.

The judges referred to various scriptures, historical books and other relevant material.

However, four years prior to the judgment, the wire service and the newspaper flashed a story saying an officer of the court was reading books to facilitate the judges with the historical perspective of the age-old dispute between Hindus and Muslims.

The local lawyers’ body drew the court’s attention to this story in 2006 and sought action.

Allahabad high court said it had asked an officer to make requisite books available to it, but that did not mean he was authorised to render opinion after studying material.

Taking the media head on, it referred to the post-judgment time saying it appears that in some cases, “people try to highlight a few words in a manner so as to create a sensation. The casualty is correctness of information”.

Did Pioneer write front page story and editorial on behalf of Israeli Embassy

2011-03-16T13:27:00.001+05:30

Hindu Report MEA team's visit incensed Israel covering wiki leak reports

In perhaps an unintended give-away, Mr. Magen “confirmed that the Israeli Embassy had been the source for a recent front page story and editorial in the pro-BJP Pioneer criticizing India for its failure to acknowledge the Gaza withdrawal.”

Media Watch is still searching for said Front Page story and editorial. If someone has links please do send it to us

India Readership survey

2011-03-16T10:43:00.001+05:30

This is important data. Please do write comments on how we can interpret this data.

@asraghunath: Eng dailes lead nowhere in Indian towns, though omnipresent.< 2% reach in India.

Will ToI stop playing with numbers!

2011-03-16T10:18:00.001+05:30

This entry into Media Watch is about ToI report Karnataka CM's pay to zoom 150%, ministers to get double. According to this report,

Karnataka's netas are giving themselves a Ugadi bonanza. Before winding up the ongoing legislature session, chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, his cabinet and the legislators can expect a hefty salary raise.
According to the proposal, the CM's monthly salary will rocket 150% from Rs 12,000 to Rs 30,000 and annual sumptuary allowance will double to Rs 1.5 lakh. The government is likely to move a bill on the pay hike in this session.

Using percentage to report changes is a time tested statistical trick to confuse audience. Example, if I spend say 1 Rupee today and tomorrow spend 2 Rupee. You can easily mislead by reporting the change as “100 % change” while the fact is it its just an increase of another rupee.

And then it is amusing when ToI uses expressions like “zoom”; “double”; “bonaza”; “will rocket" while reporting this news. If we go by the phrases, it is easy to believe that Karnataka CM is doing something which is out of ordinary! Just to bring sanity into this discussion Media Watch would like to draw ToI’s attention to another CM who took a salary hike in recent months

In recent months another state who has approved a salary hike to CM, state ministers and MLAs is Maharashtra. ToI reported State ministers and MLAs to get hefty salary hike. In this report, ToI took the pain to report congress ministers view (it seems this privilege was not extended to Karnataka ministers)

"Look at the salary packages of bureaucrats and the Indian Police Service top-brass . A fresh IAS or IPS officer draws a monthly salary of Rs 40,000-45 ,000, whereas the CM's monthly salary is less than Rs 30,000,"

So that gives the justification why there should be a hike. Wonder why ToI didnot report the views of Karnataka Ministers? It would worthwhile noting that Maharashtra CM even before the hike drew a salary of Rs 30K. Per the ToI report the salary of Maharashtra is CM is being increased from Rs 29,000 per month to Rs 67,000 which is more that 130 percent change.

So it seems that ToI reserves all the superlatives for Karnataka CM when he increases his meager salary from Rs 12000 per month to Rs 30,000 But Maharashtra CM who gives himself a raise from Rs 29000 to Rs 67,000 is given a just hearing and reporting.

Survey on Peoples perception of Indian Media - 3

2011-03-14T22:02:00.001+05:30

You can take part in the survey here - Survey on public perception of Indian Media

Survey on Peoples perception of Indian Media - 2

2011-03-11T12:00:00.001+05:30

Media Watch effect - What is IE trying to convey?

2011-03-10T16:32:00.001+05:30

This is further to Media Watch report What is IE trying to convey?

Now IE has changed the accompanying picture. We would like to believe it was a Media Watch effect

Amusingly even now IE has posted a different picture. This picture is not from said Press conference where he was wearing a shirt(watch the video in last post)

What is IE trying to convey?

2011-03-10T10:24:00.001+05:30

Ongoing media reports on Sushma Swarajs tweets is a common knowledge.

Indian Express also reported about it in their article Gadkari snubs Sushma: CVC issue alive, will go to people(screenshot below). Media Watch will not go into content of this news but what caught our attention is the accompanying picture. The news was accompanied by a picture of Sushma Swaraj who visibly looked upset sad and eyes filled with tears. The picture accompanied with a caption “Sushma Swaraj at the press conference in New Delhi where Gadkari spoke on Wednesday. PREM NATH PANDEY”. Since the subject dealt with “snub” from party president one cant be faulted for assuming “the sad state” of Sushma in picture is due to snub.

But a deeper investigation reveals that picture does not seem to be from said press conference. In fact from the video available from NDTV report BJP's CVC divide out in the open reveals that Sushma was not even present in that Press Meet!

Check the difference in background
Note Sushma not present on table

Video of said conf call

Media Watch writes to IE Editor

Dear Editor of Indian Express,

We are a group working towards educating and mobilizing citizens of India to influence media to see their responsibility in communicating news truthfully and responsibly.
We would like to draw your attention to todays news report "Gadkari snubs Sushma: CVC issue alive, will go to people" published in IE website. The news was accompanied by a picture of Sushma Swaraj who visibly looked upset, sad and eyes filled with tears. The picture accompanied with a caption “Sushma Swaraj at the press conference in New Delhi where Gadkari spoke on Wednesday. PREM NATH PANDEY”. Since the subject dealt with “snub” from party president one cant be faulted for assuming “the sad state” of Sushma in picture is due to snub.
But the picture does not seem to be from said press conference. In fact from the video available from NDTV & Youtube reveals that Sushma was not even present in that Press Meet!
You can see the video and other detailed information from our blog Media Critic report on Gadkari snubs Sushma: CVC issue alive, will go to people
We request your clarification on this issue.
Thanks
Media Watch Blog Team

Blogspot disruptions - Should we be worried?

2011-03-10T09:52:00.002+05:30

It started as a trickle, in February several blogspot blogs (including this one) were inaccessible through several Indian ISPs such as Airtel, BSNL, Tikona, Tata, Idea, etc. Understandably netizens assumed the worst and raised a stink as it brought back memories of the infamous 2006 blog block when GOI issued directives to ISPs to block a few specific blogs and the ISPs ended up blocking entire domains leading to an online backlash.
Airtel denied blocking any blogs though its official Twitter account @Airtel_Presence

"We have'nt blocked any blogspot,"

That was not end of story. Now it seems several blogging site TypePad, bulk SMS site ClickATell.com, Mauj Telecom owned mobile apps site Mobango is not accessible via certain ISPs in certain geographies. According to medianama, While most ISPs are just not providing access to the sites, at least Airtel, Reliance Netconnect (in Coimbatore) and Fivenet Broadband (in Mumbai) have been transparent enough to disclose that they’ve blocked due to a DOT order.
Hindu in their report Telecom Department orders ban on blog hosting site? writes

Others had been complaining for days, with the first Tweet on the issue on February 27. Screenshots seemed to show that while a number of internet service providers were blocking the Typepad site – along with mobile applications site Mobango.com and bulk SMS site ClickATell.com – the message mentioning the Telecom Department was only posted by Airtel, Reliance Netconnect and Fivenet Broadband. The message had disappeared by Friday evening, with the sites becoming accessible again

Airtels response to this was

there was “no directive from the government” and that the issue was “just a temporary network problem,”

Airtel was unable to explain why the message regarding a request from the Department of Telecom appeared while accessing these sites
One can understand savitabhabhi.com being blocked (In 2009 it was one of first sites to be blocked under section 67 of the Information Technology Act) but why block Mobango.com (a website offering free mobile applications, games, themes and ringtones), bulk SMS gateway clickatell.com and Typepad.com.

Mr. Badri Sanjeevi, COO, Mauj Mobile issued a clarification on this issue

Mobango is a large global appstore with nearly 1 million downloads of apps and games daily. Of these downloads about 20 per cent are from India and growing. We have not heard of any customer complaints directly but are told that the site is facing access issues from a few ISPs on the web. It is possible that this is due to some technical error. Mobango is one amongst several Indian and global app stores, which are all accessible from India so we don't really see any reason for the site to be blocked unless it has been an oversight on the part of DOT. We are working with ISPs and authorities to address any inadvertent issues.

It seems that there is method in madness. GOI is coming to hard realisation that it is difficult (if not impossible) to regulate content in Internet. JS Sarma, Chairman of India’s Telecom Regulator TRAI said at the CII Content Summit

“In terms of content, how do you control the internet? That is baffling and challenging, and it is frought with issues of freedom and security. Security in terms of physical security and others. This will have to be studied over the course of next few months or the next year or so,”

So new thinking seems to be if you cannot control the message (Internet content) why not control the the messenger(ISPs etc)
ToI article Plan to muzzle bloggers sparks outcry is revealing.

The draft rules, drawn up by the government under the Information Technology Amendment Act, 2008, deal with due diligence to be observed by an intermediary.
Under the Act, an 'intermediary' is defined as any entity which on behalf of another receives, stores or transmits any electronic record. Hence, telecom networks, web-hosting and internet service providers, search engines, online payment and auction sites as well as cyber cafes are identified as intermediaries. The draft has strangely included bloggers in the category of intermediaries, setting off the online outcry.

What does this mean?

It technically means that any comment or a reader-posted link on a blog which according to the government is threatening, abusive, objectionable, defamatory, vulgar, racial, among other omnibus categories, will now be considered as the legal responsibility of the blogger

Even Google, the host of Blogger, among India's most popular blogging sites, expressed displeasure at the proposal.

"Blogs are platforms that empower people to communicate with one another, and we don't believe that an internet middlemen should be held unreasonably liable for content posted by users,"

The expression and communication of information is central to liberal democracies. It is a key human right. Blogs are an important news source and outlet to enpower “Aam Admi” who have lost their trust on MSM mired in Radiia and Paid News Scandal. Any attempt to stifle it will have a chilling effect upon the exercise of their freedom of speech
Media Watch hopes that GOI is not attempting to bring in Internet censorship by regulating the messenger.

Screenshots
Karthik Sridhar from VisualData* sends medianama the following screenshot for Clickatell:

Here’s a screenshot that Tarun Dua, who has an Airtel connection, sent to MediaNama:

Vikram Phukan sent medianama a screenshot of the error page while trying to access his Typepad dashboard.

medianama tried accessing the sites from our Airtel Edge and 3G enabled handset and got the same error.

Curious case of @BJPInsider twitter account

2011-03-09T21:43:00.002+05:30

About 24 hours back a twitter account @BJPInsider started sending tweets about BJP Leader M M Joshi. Most of tweets were slanderous in nature and intention of @BJPInsider is very obvious.
Most of us would not have noticed this until Bhupendra Chaubey, CNN IBN, National Bureau Chief @bhupendrachaube tweeted about it 1 hour ago. Interestingly it was his first tweet of the day.
Media Watch looked at the Timeline of @BJPInsider and found that this twitter account has not send even a single tweet to @bhupendrachaube
We would like to understand from @bhupendrachaube

Since @BJPInsider has not send even a single tweet to @bhupendrachaube, how did he come to know about this account and its “slanderous allegations”. considering the fact the account was started this monday (07/03) and first tweet from this account was on 12:42 AM Mar 8th via web. Was it via a RT?
@bjpinsider acct was created 2 days back and was mostly tweeting junk. Its first two followers were Bot. Guess who was the 1st proper follower after 2 bots. Is it just coincidence that it was @bhupendrachaube

As expected Bhupendra Chaubey was asked by fellow twitterati @ssudhirkumar

Leave aside all conspiracy theories. Doesn't basic courtesy suggest @bhupendrachaube you don't encourage slander of the likes of "insider"?

And Bhupendra Chaubey replied

@ssudhirkumar pl don't distort sudhir, I was infact questioning the credibility of these messages,

We leave it to readers decision if following tweet from Bhupen was questioning the credibility or not?

Some bizzare tweets coming from @bjpinsider. Pretty slanderous against senior bjp leader murli manohar joshi. What's happening?

Update 11/03/2011

@bhupendrachaube has unfollowed @bjpinsider

Media says Minority students suffering in state as Modi not using Centres funds

2011-03-09T18:33:00.001+05:30

This is pertaining to various media reports which covers in detail how Narendra Modi is not using Minority (read Muslim) Student funds in Gujarat and as a result of which minority students are suffering

NDTV in melodramatic report Crores set aside for Gujarat's minority students go unused writes

But Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi refuses to use the money. "The scheme is to bring equity, as per the recommendation of the Sachar Commission," says Human Resources Development Minister Kapil Sibal. "But as far as the Gujarat Chief Minister is concerned, we all know his attitude towards minorities."
As politics gets prioritised, thousands of students like Tahir are robbed of opportunities that could change their lives.

Indian Express in its report Khurshid: Modi denying minority students funds quotes Salman Khurshid

“I am not happy with the social situation (in Gujarat). I’ll be happy when the courts will be happy. The situation does not facilitate a neutral hearing of someone’s complaint.”

IBN in its Exclusive report Exclusive: Modi deprives poor Muslims of scholarship writes

More than 50,000 poor minority students in Gujarat have been reportedly denied central scholarship.
This report has once again put Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi in a spot.
His is the only state government in the country which is not willing to bear 25 per cent share of the central-sponsored pre matric scholarship scheme for the minorities.
This year again, despite of repeated reminders, the state government has not earmarked any money which means the minority students will remain deprived of their due.

IBN also quotes Congress spokesperson, Abhishek Manu Singhvi.

“This is unconstitutional,”

If you were to believe the media there seems to be some sinister conspiracy in gujarat led by Modi to keep Muslims uneducated by denying them scholarships inspite the best efforts of the Congress Government.

Media Watch is surprised that none of the Media included following statistics along with their report

literacy rate among Muslims in Gujarat has increased by 10 per cent in the last decade and at 73 per cent.
literacy rate among Muslims in Gujarat is higher than the state's average of 69.1 per cent and the all-India Muslim literacy rate of 59 percent
Literacy rate among Muslim women in Gujarat is 5% more compared to national literacy average in urban areas.
In Gujarat, 45.3% Muslim children receive secondary education as against the national average of 40.5%
Against the plan of the Government of India to provide scholarship to 52,260 minority students under the pre-matric scheme, Gujarat has made available scholarship to the tune of R 227 lakh to 2,25,000 Muslim students during 2010-11 and paid assistance worth R 535 lakh for school uniform to 3,57,000 Muslim students studying in Std 1-7
the per-capita income of Muslims in the state, she said in urban areas of Gujarat, it was R 875, compared to the national average of R 804. The figure was R 662 in Uttar Pradesh, R 748 in West Bengal, R 811 in Punjab, R 803 in Andhra Pradesh and R 837 in Karnataka
Per capita income among Muslims community in rural areas in Gujarat is R 668, compared to the national average of R 553

With the above statistics it takes lot of imagination to claim that Muslims in Gujarat is suffering!

Only TOI took the effort to get view of Gujarat government on this issue. A senior state bureaucrat, requesting anonymity, said

The thinking is, the scholarship creates discrimination among non-minority groups, hence it cannot be allowed here".

Results for Survey on public perception of Indian Media - 1

2011-03-09T12:59:00.001+05:30

Survey on public perception of Indian Media

2011-03-09T11:20:00.001+05:30

Create your free online surveys with SurveyMonkey, the world's leading questionnaire tool.

HC slaps Rs 50 lakh fine on ex-SP MLA for accusing Rahul Gandhi of rape

2011-03-07T18:18:00.001+05:30

This in continuation to our previous entry here Did Media underreport this news about Rahul?

The reports coming in media (all this time) suggest this was a false accusation.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court Monday fined a petitioner Rs.50 lakh for falsely accusing Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi of gangrape of a girl in his Amethi parliamentary constituency.
The court has also directed the state government to probe the controversy in order to ascertain if there was a political conspiracy behind the petition.

There are an important lessons for media here , Imagine how high credibility of media would have been if they would have reported HC notice to Rahul in same zeal

If you believe IE, Arjun Singh made last wish a fortnight before he died.

2011-03-07T11:36:00.001+05:30

Arjun Singh is no more. According to IE report Arjun’s last wish was to meet Sonia, she obliged.

On his death bed, veteran Congress leader Arjun Singh, who had always worn his loyalty to the Nehru-Gandhi family on his sleeves, only wished to meet Sonia Gandhi. Informed about his desire, the Congress chief called on him at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) but what transpired at their meeting remains a secret.

So if one were to believe IE, Arjun Singh was so loyal to Nehru-Gandhi Family that even in his death bed his last wish was to see Sonia which she gladly obliged

But, a finer reading of next few para lets the cat out.

About a fortnight back, Singh had sent a message to senior Congress leader Anil Shastri, asking him to see him in the hospital. Shastri told The Sunday Express that Singh looked “disheartened” as he held his arm and said how most of his political associates had not even visited him in the hospital. “I only wish to meet Sonia Gandhi,” Singh told him.

So it was not on his death bed he wished to see Sonia but it was a fortnight before his death he indicated his wish to see Sonia.! Not sure how IE thinks this was his “last wish on death bed” unless he knew 15 days before that he is going to die

And then what does Sonia do

Shastri informed Sonia’s office about the ailing leader’s wish. She was said to have immediately shot off a letter to Singh in the hospital, wishing him speedy recovery. A couple of days later, she visited him in the hospital, according to Shastri.

So in reply to Arjun Singhs visit request. Sonia writes a letter back to him. Senior Congress leader Anil Shastri do claim that she visited Arjun Singh at hospital after two days. But strangely, there are no media reports available online which indicated that Sonia Gandhi visited ailing Arjun Singh! If someone can find a news source please let us know.

Arun Singh died almost immediately after he was dropped from CWC. Is this a premeditated effort to offset any negative public reaction which may link Arjun Singhs death and Sonia Gandhi dropping him from CVC

IE editorial gives good insight on how journalist and media is manipulated

2011-03-05T11:40:00.001+05:30

This entry into Media Watch pertains to an excellent editorial by Shekhar Gupta - Constant Congressman it gave us some insight on How Arjun Singh and congress by extension corrupted journalists by doling out free houses etc

Even though the topic was about Arjun Singh and how close he was to Rajiv Gandhi. It gave good insight on how he manipulated journalists, how he “improved living standards of journalists” while he was CM by giving them houses. It also spoke of how he gave houses to five senior most journos in Chandigarh when he was governor of Punjab and how the next day newspaper had news favorable to him!

Some of relevant portion of the editorial on how he “handled” journalist are

Following is how he took care when he was CM of MP

And When he was governor of Punjab

Surprisingly when we tried to access the editorial later it was not available online(not sure if its there in print). This is what we get

It is still available in Google search

But a fellow twitterati @asraghunath found a copy of epaper which is below

This was brought to attention of IE

Can you please fix the link its not working RT @ietweet Constant Congressman http://goo.gl/jaSyY

Another day in TOI

2011-03-04T20:06:00.001+05:30

Another day in TOI… Look at the priorities of news. Sonams dress disaster is higher than violent mob setting 3 buses on fire!

of course then you have Marde Dras parade and twonkle showing of baby bump!!

ToI labels Sikhs and KPs as activists from PoK

2011-03-04T19:50:00.001+05:30

Above is from TOI article PM Manmohan Singh arrives in Jammu

First KP’s get kicked out of their home to become refugees in their own country. Now if we go by TOI caption, they donot even have a country!!

ToI poll on SC firing of CVC

2011-03-04T19:37:00.001+05:30

Toi is conducting a poll to understand the impact of SC verdict on CVC. following is the result. Will TOI have guts to report this also

NDTV report on New Congress Working Committee & mixes up the names

2011-03-04T19:29:00.001+05:30

This is pertaining to NDTV report on new CWC. NDTV in its report New Congress Working Committee announced among writes

Those dropped include Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithvi Raj Chavan, Law Minister Veerappa Moily, and Vilasrao Deshmukh who served as chief minister of Maharashtra but was removed for his links to the Adarsh Society scam - flats in a Mumbai building intended for war widows and veterans were allotted to politicians, bureaucrats, and retired army officers, who rigged permissions for the building's construction in an area that is highly sensitive because of its proximity to important defence facilities.

It seems that NDTV is trying to portray dropping of Vilasrao Deshmukh as a great moral act and by narrating his wrong doing is trying to imply that he was dropped due to his wrong doings

What NDTV forgets to mention is the in January this year same party (with the blessing of same Sonia Gandhi) appointed Vilasrao Deshmukh as cabinet minister for Rural Development with additional charge of Panchayati Raj

Lastly, It may be a minor detail for NDTV that it was not Vilasrao Deshmukh who was removed Adarsh scam. It was Ashok Chavan. Vilasrao Deshmukh was removed for goofing up 2611.

NDTV the word is Bhikkhuni Not Nun

2011-03-04T09:40:00.001+05:30

Its high times NDTV learns some cultural and religious Etiquette.

NDTV in its article Nepal's singing sensation nun to debut in India calls a Buddhist Female monk Nun.

Ani Choying Dolma, a 40-year-old Buddhist nun of Tibetan ancestry, who took "asylum" in a monastery in Kathmandu valley at the age of 10 to escape the rages of an abusive father, is now one of the best-known singers in the country with followers in China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US and Germany.

Female Budhist monk is called Bhikuni not Nun.

SC fires CVC PJ Thomas your turn media…

2011-03-03T13:55:00.001+05:30

Today is a historic day. Perhaps for the second time in history of Independent India supreme court has given a verdict of such immense importance. The first one would be Justice Sinha's (Allahabad High Court) verdict on June 12, 1975, declaring Indira Gandhi's election to the Lok Sabha as void.

Media Watch will be closely watching how media is reporting this historic event.

The first one which has caught Media Watch attention is a NDTV report Who is PJ Thomas?

At the onset, NDTV explains at length how the corruption charges against PJ Thomas is a very old one

Polayil Joseph Thomas, 60, has been in the eye of an unseemly storm for the last five months - a corruption case from years ago and an embarrassing question mark on his integrity came back to haunt him and the government that appointed him as the top man to look into corruption.

Does NDTV mean to say that seriousness of corruption charges decrease with time? It may be minor detail that P.J. Thomas is the eighth accused in the Rs 2.8-crore palmolein scam and has not been exonerated yet. In 2005, the then Congress government even moved the Supreme Court seeking that the palmolein case be withdrawn. Luckily, congress lost election and new Left government blocked the Congress government's move to get the case withdrawn. Now the trial is pending in the case as the SC ordered a stay on it based on Karunakaran's plea in 2007.

Also, Its intriguing NDTV missed any mention that PJ Thomas role at the DoT came under heavy criticism for a variety of reasons.

One, he did not take any action against officials who allowed 85 firms to get licences even though they did not qualify (this was exposed by the CAG).
Two, Thomas did not levy penalties on firms which did not fulfill their roll-out obligations, or recommend that their licences be cancelled — the CAG had to do this.

In fact, NDTV themselves in their report Is the new CVC against 2G scam probe? dated sept 08, 2001 had raised questions on integrity of CVC putting a question mark on whether the new CVC is in favour of probing the 2G scam. NDTV unearthed

In the note dated July 10, 2010, the Department of Telecom objects to the Comptroller and Auditor General or CAG's scrutiny of the 2G scam. PJ Thomas was the Telecom Secretary when this note was sent to the Law Ministry, seeking its opinion on the CAG's right to scrutinise the 2G spectrum allocation.
The Law Ministry replied to that note on August 13, 2010 saying the CAG or the CVC have no powers to challenge government policy.
In that note, the Law ministry clearly says the CVC can only probe corruption cases, not government policy.

Even SC questioned the tenability of P J Thomas supervising the Central Bureau of Investigation's probe into the 2G scandal. ASC observed

chargesheeted official doesn’t qualify as an outstanding civil servant.

Its shocking that inspite of all these grave charges, NDTV brushes off the the charges as “a corruption case from years ago”. Media watch would like to quote our esteemed PM on this

“Caesar's wife must be above suspicion ”

Then NDTV proceeds to imply that govt was caught unaware as CVC hid his assignment as Food and Civil Supplies Secretary or the palmolein case that happened during that time. NDTV reports

Curiously, his bio-data on the Central Vigilance Commission website lists all his assignments but not that as Food and Civil Supplies Secretary. The UPA government has said the bio-date that it saw while appointing Thomas did not mention this stint or the palmolein case that happened then.
The profile on the CVC website mentions Thomas' other assignments - that as Additional Chief Secretary (Higher Education), Chief Electoral Officer & Principal Secretary to Government, Director of Fisheries, Managing Director of the Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation Limited, Secretary, Taxes (Board of Revenue). Even District Collector, Ernakulam, Secretary, Kerala Khadi & Village Industries Board and Sub Collector, Fort, Cochin. One assignment listed merely states - Secretary, Government of Kerala.

Does NDTV want us to believe that GOI depends upon the biodata submitted by candidate for his service information especially when the candidate is being considered for a sensitive position like CVC? Wonder why NDTV missed to mention Home Minister P Chidambaram assertion that Selection Committee meeting to chose Central Vigilance Commissioner did discuss the issue of Palmolein case against P J Thomas. NDTV also missed to mention the dissent of Sushma Swaraj. In fact this was the first time in the last 15 years that government and the opposition differed in the choice of a CVC.

NDTV then finishes the report with some rave reviews

He also served as Telecom Secretary till he became CVC, and those who speak for him point to how much better the 3G spectrum auction was organised as compared to 2G.
The Supreme Court, which is also monitoring the CBI's investigation into the spectrum scam, suggested that it would be inappropriate for Mr Thomas to preside over an inquiry that could subject his own actions in the Telecom Ministry to scrutiny. Mr Thomas then recused himself from the 2G investigation.

One has to give it to audacity of NDTV in praising PJ Thomas especially on a day when SC has struck down his appointment as CVC.

Similar act but different headlines from TOI one for BJP one for Cong

2011-03-02T20:29:00.001+05:30

This entry into Media Watch is to show how TOI treats news differently depending upon who is involved. It seems they have one standard for BJP and another for Congress

Background is visit of BJP president Nitin Gadkari to Barak Valley and a similar visit by Tarun Gogoi, Congress CM.

Both of them talked about the plight of Hindu refugees in the valley as they were upset over a recent remark of AICC general secretary and Assam in-charge Digvijay Singh on the question of Hindu refugees. Digvijay Singh had said

if a Hindu from Bangladesh comes to India after a stipulated time-frame he also should be treated as an infiltrator or a foreigner. There's no constitutional provision to treat Hindus coming from Bangladesh and Pakistan as refugees.

Now lets lets see what TOI says

ToI reports Gadkaris visit with a headline Gadkari plays Hindu card in Barak and writes

Everytime there's an election in Assam, BJP invariably plays the Hindu card at least in the state's Barak Valley region that shares a border with Bangladesh. This time too, the situation is in no way different as party president Nitin Gadkari has said no Hindu who came to India from Bangladesh and Pakistan should be treated as foreigners.

Nitin Gadari in his speech said

The people of India understand under what circumstances the Hindus had to flee the two neighbouring countries. They were compelled to do so. Nobody can send the refugee Hindus back to Bangladesh and Pakistan. BJP will not allow anybody to do so. If the Congress government terms the refugee Hindus as foreigners or illegal migrants, the people of India will throw the party away to Bangladesh

TOI reports Gogois with a Headline Eye on polls, Gogoi pledges 1000cr package for Barak and writes

Keeping in mind the coming assembly elections, Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi, promised the Barak Valley a Rs 1,000-crore package if the Congress wins in all the 15 segments of Cachar, Karimganj and Hailakandi.
The chief minister tried to appease Hindu Bengalis in his speech who were upset over a recent remark of AICC general secretary and Assam in-charge Digvijay Singh on the question of Hindu refugees.

Gogoi in his speech said

The Congress has sympathy for those Hindus coming from Bangladesh under certain circumstances

If readers would notice both Nitin and Gogoi said exactly the same thing but TOI reported the news one with a positive sping and other with negative disdain! Most amazing is the contrast in language used for heading!

Can we assume that since its election time and Nitin might have not yet bought the “positive news” package.

Thanks @centerofright for lead

Did Media underreport this news about Rahul?

2011-03-01T21:36:00.001+05:30

Its surprising that Indian Media who normally reports even when Rahul sprouts a beard did not report this neww report which was published first in Rediff.

Rediff in their report HC notice to Rahul Gandhi on missing girl writes

The Lucknow [ Images ] bench of Allahabad high court on Tuesday issued notice to Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi [ Images ] on a petition seeking information about the whereabouts of a missing girl and her family.
The girl and her family are alleged to be "untraceable" ever since they called on Rahul during one of his visit to his parliamentary constituency, Amethi on December 13, 2006.
Moving a petition on behalf of the family, Kishore Samrite, former Samajwadi Party MLA from Madhya Pradesh [ Images], has accused the Congress celebrity and his five foreigner friends of indulging in criminal assault on the 24-year-old Sukanya Singh.
Claiming to have learnt this from some news website, the petitioner has stated, "I was moved by the news. So I came all the way from my home in Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh to Amethi where I found the girl's house locked. Local villagers were tight-lipped about the whereabouts of the family."
He has, therefore, sought the intervention of the Allahabad high court "to issue a writ of Habeas Corpus to Rahul Gandhi to produce the missing girl Sukanya, her father Balram Singh and mother Savitri Singh."
While issuing the notice, a single judge bench comprising Justice SN Shukla did not fix any date for hearing the case, the petitioner's advocate Surya Mani Raikwar told rediff.com.

Till Now no other media house except Rediff and Economic Times has carried this news! Economic Times reported this is their report HC issues notice to Rahul Gandhi for girl's illegal detention

Media Watch calls upon all well meaning citizen to rise against medias blackouts! Media is an important pillar supporting our democracy, its important they report news fairly and objectively.

Thanks @kiyer10 for lead

WTF!

2011-03-01T20:35:00.001+05:30

Journalist or political activist?

2011-03-01T19:40:00.001+05:30

This is the view of Bureau Chief of NDTV in Kashmir on Indias main opposition party! How can such a person report objectively?

Media didnot publish this news

2011-03-01T08:30:00.001+05:30

IE bluffs on Rahuls Fracture

2011-03-01T08:11:00.001+05:30

This entry into Media Watch is pertaining to IE report Rahul fractures leg, advised ‘complete’ rest.

IE reports the cause of fracture as

Rahul’s accident comes after a hectic trip across UP, Maharashtra and the North-East.

Since its hard to believe hectic travel causes fracture, Media Watch decided to do own own little investigation. It seems that Rahuls injured his leg during adventure sports in Kodagu where he was vacationing along with his friends looking like foreign tourist(in ToI language). This is how ToI reported the incident

While participating in adventure sports in Kodagu, Rahul injured his leg and was treated at a private hospital at Ammathi. Rahul was so well-disguised he succeeded in making the doctors mistake him for a foreign tourist

IE also reports

Incidentally, brisk walking has been Rahul’s preferred way of moving around in villages rather than addressing gatherings.

Not sure what IE meant by this statement. But if we go by the report Rahuls seems to understand his weakness and strength very well.

Media hypes up Rahul Gandhi Playing the Good Samaritan,

2011-02-28T09:08:00.001+05:30

Before we start this, Media Watch appreciates the Rahul Gandhi going out of way to help an injured person. We wish every Indian follow the example.This in no way is intended to show Rahul Gandhis gesture in bad light. Our only objective is the expose the media hype which is distasteful.

This entry into Media Watch is the hype media created on Rahul Gandhi helping a person involved in an accident.

India Today reports melodramatically Delhi: Rahul Gandhi saves life of man hit by taxi

Kale Ram, a resident of Khichripur in east Delhi, was seriously injured when a taxi rammed his motorbike.

So if India today is to be believed, Rahul Gandhi saved the life of a person who was seriously injured in an accident.

NDTV as always was at the extreme end in their poetry laced report Rahul Gandhi gets out of car, helps accident victim

Rahul ka haath, aam aadmi ke saath.

Indian Express while reporting Rahul Gandhi spots accident victim, rushes him to RML changes the religion of the person involved in accident. They changed Kale Ram to Kale Khan. We hope this was an innocent mistake.

The incident was reported around Tuesday afternoon from Krishna Menon Marg in Lutyens’ Delhi when a motorcyclist was hit by a taxi. The victim has been identified as Kale Khan, a contractor with the New Delhi Municipal Council. He suffered injuries and was left bleeding on the road

HT in their report Rahul’s good turn ‘shocks’ survivor upgrades Rahul to messiah in white! Which makes one wonder do messiahs have dress code like Thy shall only wear white

When 55-year-old Kale Ram, an NDMC contractor lay injured on the road waiting for help after a taxi hit him on Tuesday, a ‘messiah’ in white walked up to him and saved his life.

Kudos to The Hindu who gave most dispassionate accounts of the incident . According to the report Rahul plays the Good Samaritan

Playing the Good Samaritan, Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday helped rush an injured man lying on Krishna Menon Marg here to a hospital in one of his escort vehicles.
Kale Ram lost his balance, fell on the road and sustained shoulder injuries.
Kale Ram dislocated his shoulder in the accident

Only the Media in India will have the audacity to report shoulder dislocation as a life threatening incident and the person help as “messiah in white”. Media Watch is glad Media has found gesture of Rahul Gandhi commendable. Media Watch would like to remind media that they themselves have been found wanting in situations which required them to play good samaritan

IE rehashes old propaganda material from TOI & Midday against BSY

2011-02-28T07:31:00.001+05:30

If you have nothing bad to publish what do you do? Its easy when it comes to Indian Media. Just use the old propaganda material used by others. IE’s report Astrologer Bhanu, BSY’s mystic mentor published on sunday falls in this category. They just reused the old reports published by Midday in report Black magic CM published on 2011-02-01 and Times of India report To ward off evil, BSY to do yoga in the buff? published on Feb 1, 2011

Media Watch had earlier written on this Outrageous Article in Midday and Propaganda war against BSY continues–now TOI takes lead

Its the same old Bhanu Prakash Sharma, his same old claims. Its amazing a National news papaer can publish headlines just based on claims from a quack!

IE quotes Congress leader Siddaramaiah

“But you don’t run a government this way. As Chief Minister, he should run the government within the framework of the Constitution and the Constitution says the CM should have a scientific approach. All this is foolish. I don’t believe in these things,”

Amusing that IE found it appropriate to seek Congress leader Siddaramaiahs opinion but it seems a clarification from the man who was at centre of news – BSY was not sought!

Guess this may be IE’s way of saying Happy Birthday BSY…..

Why is NDTV headline not focusing the core of story?

2011-02-22T21:53:00.001+05:30

Nine years after the Sabarmati Express burned on the railways tracks of Godhra, a special court in Ahmedabad gave its verdict on what actually happened on that day. The verdict had three core issues

1. The court has upheld that there was a conspiracy behind the attack on the S-6 coach of the Sabarmati Express

2. Court convicted 31 people under Section 302 and 120 B of the Indian Penal Code

3. Court also acquitted 63, including the key accused, Maulvi Umarji

Now look at the headlines at NDTV website and what does it focus on!

Did TOI’s plagiarize Pak propaganda material and publishes as its own

2011-02-22T15:06:00.001+05:30

This entry into Media Watch pertains to ToI Report Two pro-India parties floated in J&K with Army, MHA help. published today (22/02/11)

This article seems to be a straight lift from Pakistan propaganda websites and its worse considering the fact that ToI had the audacity to publish it as its own news. Please look at the report Proxy groups to be floated in held Kashmir published on 18/02/2011 in the website of The News.

A google search reveals the nature of groups circulating this news.

Media Watch is not surprised as earlier we had caught TOI writing an article on Incest with material lifted from Pakistani websites but one would have hoped they would be more careful using material which directly affects nations security!

Fellow twitterati @pawandurani checked with Omar Abdullah CM of J&K on veracity of the news and this was the reply he got

@iShahnaz @pawandurani strange that TOI now sources it's material on Kashmir from Pak based agencies rather than ask Govt of India.

Thanks @pawandurani for the lead

NDTV does a sob story on Kasab

2011-02-22T09:17:00.001+05:30

Please watch it at NDTV. Notice the wording used

“Young Boy, Desperate for money”

Seems TOI is concerned that Amit Shah lives near to PM’s house

2011-02-21T15:21:00.001+05:30

Media Watch is still trying to understand the point ToI is trying to make with their report Amit Shah staying barely 100km from PM's residence. ToI writes

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh may or may not be aware of it, but the BJP politician because of whom he hinted that the main Opposition could be blocking Goods and Services Tax (GST) has been staying barely 100m away from his official residence.

In their excitement to write this report it seems the reporter forgot the significance of having an extra “K” while writing distances. In the heading its KM while in body its M! Media Watch would like to understand the point ToI is trying to make while reporting this news. Is it a crime to stay 100M away from PM’s house?

As if this is not enough another Media House DNA, reports Sohrab case-accused Amit Shah living like abadshah in Gujarat Bhawan. It seems to be those hit & run type of headlines where the news in the body does not support whats mentioned in headline. In the entire news, DNA has not even once written why do they thing Amit Shah is living like a badshah? Is DNA aware that Amit Shah is barred from entering Gujarat by the Supreme Court in October. Where else do you expect him to stay? Imagine the reaction if Amit Shah had decided to say in a hotel (Like Shashi Tharror and his Ex boss decided to do)

Continuing from Advani “Apology” fiction series TOI goes for the jugular

2011-02-21T07:55:00.001+05:30

It seems TOI is determined to let it go. They have now published another article in the Advani’s apology “fiction” series.

TOI in their article BJP tries to regain edge after Advani ‘embarrassment’ writes

A day after it suffered an embarrassment for L K Advani's apology for his unsubstantiated allegations against Sonia Gandhi, BJP was trying to overcome the reverse and prepare for an impending confrontation in the Budget Session.

Lie 1: There was there was no apology.

Lie 2: Advani never said it was unsubstantiated allegations. Following is exactly what he said. The fact is he rebuked Sonia for not making a public announcement and he said if she had made a public announcement, the Task force would have taken it into consideration.

I am happy that you have categorically denied the reports alluded to in the Task Force’s report on Black Money. If these had been denied earlier, I am sure the Task Force would have factored in, the denial in its report.

TOI continues

Having been set back by Advani camp's penchant for launching poorly planned offensives, the party now faces the task of regaining the edge it thought it had over the issue of corruption.

Lie 3: It was Advani’s camp. The Task force comprised of noted Indian Institute of Management Bangalore professor R Vaidyanathan, chartered accountant S Gurumurthy, former Intelligence Bureau chief Ajit Doval and senior advocate Mahesh Jethmalani, son of Ram Jethmalani who is pursuing the black money case in the Supreme Court. Media Watch leave it to readers to make a decision on whether these noted personalities are from Advani Camp or not.

TOI then links this with even BJP’s reaction on Babri Masjid Demolition case!!

In what seemed like a weak attempt, BJP on Saturday alleged that the government's appeal against the high court order in the Babri mosque demolition case after "a long gap" is an attempt to divert people's attention from burning issues like corruption, inflation and black money.

Then TOI subtly tries to say that UPA govt. is still going strong

Sources in the party said, many are sore with the coterie of advisers that has developed around Advani. The advisers, many in the party feel, have convinced themselves and the veteran that the UPA government has weakened and is ripe for a final push that will lead to early election.
Many in the party don't agree with this drastic conclusion. They agree that the UPA regime has become vulnerable, but feel that it has more resilience than Advani's advisers would concede.

Lastly, TOI gives sort of clarion call for BJP leaders to rise against 'extra-organisational' rule

The black money bungle has raised the possibility of the leaders -- smarting under the 'extra-organisational' rule -- finally summoning the courage to protest.

Thanks for the lead Snape in comments

Sunday Times exposes ToI paid news

2011-02-21T07:25:00.001+05:30

Indian Media may be protecting each other but it Sunday Times has done a commendable job by doing a sting operation which exposed TOI paid news operation. Following is the report

The Indian government has condemned the phenomenon of "paid news", in which newspapers and broadcasters accept money to run favourable articles about politicians, companies and celebrities.
Broadcasting minister Ambika Soni said the practice was affecting the credibility of news reports and undermining the media's claims to be upholding democracy.
Her intervention follows last summer's report by the Press Council of India that revealed widespread payments for positive coverage, especially in the run-up to elections.
The report described paid news as "a complex phenomenon" that "ranges from accepting gifts on various occasions, foreign and domestic junkets, various monetary and non-monetary benefits, besides direct payment of money."
It also involved "private treaties", involving share transfers between media and non-media companies "in lieu of advertisement space and favourable coverage."
Many politicians paid papers to run sympathetic stories about them during the 2009 elections, and the report lists several examples.
With all that in mind, a Sunday Times reporter contacted Medianet, a company suspected of offering "paid news" deals. It was created by Bennett, Coleman and Co, which publishes many titles including The Times of India.
Last week, the reporter telephoned Medianet, as it reveals today, posing as the PR agent of a company wanting coverage for a party at an exclusive shopping mall in Delhi.
The Medianet executive said space could be bought in the Delhi Times supplement, The Times of India's society pages, for £27 a centimetre on the front page, or £16 inside.
This could be dressed up as a genuine news story, as long as it met a "celebrity quotient". Celebrities were available to attend the event at an extra cost, he said.
He later confirmed that a recent Times article about the launch of a range of ballpoint pens had been paid for by a marketing company.
The story quotes Ravi Dhariwal, the chief executive of The Times of India, as saying: "There is no paid news in any of our main papers and titles. We do have advertising and promotional supplements which sometimes carry paid features."
Sources: Sunday Times/The Hindu/Press Council of India

Kudos to Sunday times. Media Watch can’t access the the actual The Sunday Times news India’s media demand cash to run favourable news Published on 20 February 201. If anyone can access can you please send the text and screenshot of news. Thanks in Advance

Media continues to build on Advani “Apology” lie

2011-02-19T23:34:00.001+05:30

““If you tell a lie big enough and keep repeating it, people will eventually come to believe it. The lie can be maintained only for such time as the State can shield the people from the political, economic and/or military consequences of the lie. It thus becomes vitally important for the State to use all of its powers to repress dissent, for the truth is the mortal enemy of the lie, and thus by extension, the truth is the greatest enemy of the State.” - Joseph Goebbels

It seems Indian media has taken Goebbels advice to heart. Yesterday Media Passed off LKA rebuked to Sonia as Apology today they have started to build on this lie.

TOI in its report Gadkari had cautioned against ‘rash’ remarks writes

LK Advani’s retreat marks a setback for BJP’s campaign to pin down Congress leadership under the spate of corruption cases government is grappling with, and can aggravate the debate within BJP on how to carry the campaign forward

Embarrassed party sources revealed that the task force report was prepared by people close to Advani and in defiance of the view of party chief Nitin Gadkari and others. Gadkari and others, sources said, had cautioned against making “rash” allegations.

The party chief had said that BJP’s campaign had made headway since it was based on irrefutable facts concerning CWG, spectrum and Adarsh scams, and that temptation to take shortcuts carried the risk of loss of momentum.

Sources said that though Gadkari found support from others, it was Advani and his advisors who had their way.

The divergence over strategy is getting accentuated by continuing ambivalence over Advani’s status. Prima facie, the veteran has vacated the stage for Gadkari and the leaders of Opposition in the two Houses, Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley. In reality, it is his word which prevails on crucial issues and not necessarily, as the fresh fiasco shows, with the best results.

With the task force report backfiring, fissures are likely to widen. The four-member task force which came up with the charge consists of S Gurumurthy, former IB director Ajit Doval, Prof R Vaidyanathan and advocate Mahesh Jethmalani.

SO TOI is speculating that Advanis apology( which never occurred) is causing fissures in BJP especially between Advani and Gadkari faction! Please notice how TOI is subtly trying to create an impression that “Sonia and family is innocent”. I have underlined the relevant words -

LK Advani’s retreat marks a setback for BJP’s campaign to - FACT: Advani never retreated from the allegations!

Gadkari and others, sources said, had cautioned against making “rash” allegations. -- FACT: Pure speculation

With the task force report backfiring, fissures are likely to widen. – FACT: On what basis TOI is saying report has backfired

NDTV in its report Advani expresses regret to Sonia for black money allegations also takes a line similiar to TOI(which is not surprising)

Senior BJP leader L K Advani has expressed regret to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for a party appointed task force report, which had alleged that she and her late husband Rajiv had accounts in Swiss banks.

FACT: LKA has not expressed regret on the report! His exact words are “I deeply regret the distress caused to you.”

Then NDTV also writes about the fissures happening in Party due to an apology that never was

sources within the BJP have told NDTV that a large section of the party is unhappy because right from the beginning several senior leaders, including Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitley, were opposed to attacking the Gandhi family on the black money issue. The worry in the BJP now is how the party is going to continue its protest on the issue.
NDTV has also learnt that several leaders are now saying the black money report was a party document and Advani shouldn't have discussed Sonia's letter with party leaders.

Cat is let out if we compare yesterdays tweet from NDTV’s Group editor Barkha Dutt & the news at NDTV site today. In her tweet yesterday (within few hours of first news) she talks about “unrest” in BJP . Tweet Read -

Grumblings and rumblings within BJP over Advani's apology to sonia gandhi. belief that it weakens the party's black money campaign..

So Barkha is saying there is unrest in BJP, by implication that BJP leaders were aware of the letter and content even before the news came out. (very little time elapsed after the news first came out for leader to react, if they didnt know before)

But NDTV’s news today confirms that Party leaders were not aware of the letter (Media Watch believe shouldn’t below is a typo, it was meant to be should)

Advani shouldn't have discussed Sonia's letter with party leaders.

If partyu leaders were not aware then how come grumblings start yesterday as Barkha Tweeted. Both NDTV News and Barkha Cant be true. Media Watch believes Barkha yesterday in her excitement jumped guns and tweeted about the preplanned news on “BJP unrest”

Media says Karnataka’s sex ratio boost is part ‘secular’ part ‘false’

2011-02-19T07:01:00.001+05:30

Times of India in its report Karnataka’s sex ratio gets a false boost writes

In ordinary circumstances, the rise in sex ratio would have been news to cheer from the rooftop. But the rather dramatic change in sex ratio within a very short time span has made officials and experts skeptical of the figures, with the finger being pointed at the state government's Bhagyalakshmi scheme for giving the sex ratio an artificial boost.

Part of the rise in the sex ratio is natural. Karnataka is, indeed, seeing a secular rise in the ratio as the socio-economic conditions and delivery of healthcare improves in the state. But without doubt, a part of the rise is an artificial bump, courtesy Bhagyalakshmi scheme, say people versed with the matter.

Isnt it govts responsibility to launch schemes and incentives to correct social malice's. In this case, Karnataka govt has launched Bhagyalakshmi scheme to improve sex ratio and it is bearing results. How can this be called artificial bump? example being GOI is incentivizing people to have less children, Would TOI call population decrease “artificial bump” due to increase in usage of contraceptives!.

Lastly, Media Watch is still trying to understand what TOI meant ‘secular rise’. Hope it donot mean that since that part of growth is not due to influence of Karnatakas BJP govt so it is secular

Advani’s Regret–Tracking change in Media Headlines

2011-02-18T19:23:00.001+05:30

After propoganda run, Media is silently changing their headlines to something more nearer to truth.

NDTV Headline now reads Advani expresses regret to Sonia for black money allegations

NDTV’s earlier headline was Advani apologises to Sonia for black money allegations (refer previous blog for screenshots)

Media Passes off LKA rebuke to Sonia as Apology

2011-02-18T14:41:00.001+05:30

This entry into media watch is pertaining to the L. K . Advanis so called “apology” to Sonia Gandhi on the issue of Black Money

Indian express in their report L K Advani says sorry to Sonia for Swiss account insult writes

Senior BJP leader L K Advani has apologised to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for a party-appointed taskforce report, which had alleged that she and her late husband Rajiv had accounts in Swiss banks.

This had led Sonia Gandhi to write a letter to Advani denying the allegation.

Sources said Gandhi had said neither she nor her husband held Swiss bank accounts.
In his reply to the Congress President's letter, Advani expressed regret that Rajiv and Sonia's name were mentioned in the report.
Advani, however, also stated in his reply that the Gandhis should have denied this publicly when there were murmurs that names of her family members could figure in the report.
Advani said the name of her family members would not have then figured in the taskforce report.

TOI published exactly same news under the report Advani says sorry to Sonia on Swiss bank account issue. Perhaps for first time in history TOI and IE carried news which matches word to word

As expected NDTV goes overboard in their report Advani apologises to Sonia for black money allegations

Senior BJP leader L K Advani has apologised to Congress President Sonia Gandhi for a party-appointed task force report, which had alleged that she and her late husband Rajiv had accounts in Swiss banks.
Sources said in the letter, Gandhi had said that neither she nor her husband held Swiss bank accounts.
In his reply to the Congress President's letter, Advani expressed regret about her name and that of her late husband being mentioned in the task force report.
However, Advani also stated in his reply that the Gandhis should have denied this publicly when there were murmurs that names of her family members could figure in the report.

Advani said had she done so, the name of her family members would not have figured in the task force.

NDTV’s Group editor Barkha Dutt even speculated about unrest in BJP due to this issue. Not sure where she got her info or was it a figment of her fertile imagination

Grumblings and rumblings within BJP over Advani's apology to sonia gandhi. belief that it weakens the party's black money campaign..

Of all the Media Houses, IBN has given a more balanced report. They in their report Black money charge: Advani regrets hurting Sonia writes

In the letter Advani said that it would have been better if she (Sonia) had clarified on the black money issue earlier. Then the BJP task force would not have made the allegations, he wrote in the letter. Advani also regretted any hurt caused to Sonia.
A BJP task force letter written by Advani at the BJP's national executive at Guwahati had alleged that Sonia and her husband Rajiv Gandhi held foreign bank accounts.
In response, Sonia wrote a letter denying that she or any one from her family had any such accounts.
The BJP has been demanding that the names of those with money stashed abroad be made public.
However, Congress sources told CNN-IBN that Advani has not apologised to Sonia.

Lets start the analysis keeping in background the fact that the budget session of parliament is slated to start Feb 21 and congress will again be cornered for JPC on 2G scam. Also, lets the be reminded of PM’s press conference fiasco.

Lets start with the basic issue is apology same as regret?

The difference between apology and regret is important. For example, in Australia, the Prime Minister,John Howard has refused to apologise to the Aboriginal but he has expressed regret. In the downing of US surveillance aircraft in China, the US president, George W. Bush has expressed deep regret but has refused to apologise, despite the Chinese government demanding it.

What is the difference? The definition of the the word apology includes an admission of error or wrongdoing on one's part. Regret is not an admission of wrongdoing!

So it means that LKA has not admitted that the inclusion of name of Sonias family was an wrongdoing!

Now lets check the context in which “regret” was used

In the letter Advani said that it would have been better if she (Sonia) had clarified on the black money issue earlier. Then the BJP task force would not have made the allegations, he wrote in the letter. Advani also regretted any hurt caused to Sonia.

India Blooms News Service reports

Then the BJP task force would not have made such allegations, he wrote.
Advani also regretted if Sonia was hurt.

So even the usage of regret was for the hurt it may have caused. In fact on the issue of black money, LKA seems to have rapped on her knuckles of Sonia for not publicly clarifying this issue. Also, IBN has quoted congress sources denying LKA has apologized!

It is also interesting to note that how media is attributing news about Sonia to sources (thus by implication not sure or to be denied later)

Sources said Gandhi had said neither she nor her husband held Swiss bank accounts.

While reporting on LKA’s letter was carried as as if they have LKA letter with them(not attributed to source). In such case, one would be tempted to ask why is the letter not published in totality?

Lastly, if you would notice source of all this news is PTI (NDTV-PTI, TOI-PTI, IE-Agencies) while IBN is attributing the source to its own correspondents. This may be the reason why IBN report is different from all others.

Now BJP has released the actual letter which was send to Sonia Gandhi and as expected Media was twisting the facts out of context. As you would notice from the letter, LKA has said

On my return from Kolkatta last night I found your letter dated 15 February awaiting me.
I am happy that you have categorically denied the reports alluded to in the Task Force’s report on Black Money. If these had been denied earlier, I am sure the Task Force would have factored in, the denial in its report. Even so, I deeply regret the distress caused to you.

Only Indian media is capable of twisting a rebuke from a senior politician like LKA into an apology!

SHAME ON INDIAN MEDIA

Congress Government in Assam offers free computers to journalists

2011-02-17T10:07:00.001+05:30

It seems to be a good time to be a journalist in Assam. Congress government is offering journalists free computers. According to Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi the offer was meant to recognize the “contribution” journalists make to society. According to Debo Bora, the press adviser to the state's chief minister nearly 600 journalists have signed up to receive the free laptops. Media Watch is surprised that Assam has 600 journalists with more than 10 years of experience!

Saving grace is some reporters rejected the Assam state government's offer. Nava Thakuriya, secretary of the Gauhati Press Club, criticized the plan, calling it "cheap politics."

It may be a minor detail that the timing of the offer is highly questionable, coming just a few weeks before the polls.

The sorry state of Indian Media can be gauged from the fact, this news was reported in The Canadian Press. But not in Indian Mainstream media!

TOI It is distasteful to portray Yogini is such manner

2011-02-15T13:39:00.001+05:30

Yogini (Sanskrit: योगिनी) is the feminine form corresponding to the masculine yogi. A Yogi is someone who practices yoga or follows the yoga philosophy to a high level of attainment

Hindu Society associate word Yogi with great souls like of likes of Swami Sivananda, Pramahamsa Yogananda, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Sri Tirumalai Krisnamacharya, Sri Aurobindo, Bikram Choudhary, Swami Narayanananda, Swami Satchinanda, Jaggi Vaasudev, Patanjali, Swami Satyananda Saraswati, Lahiri Mahasya, Matsyendranath, Trailanga Swami, Mahendranath Gupta, Swami Abhedananda, Paramahamsa Hariharananda

TOI in its article The sexy yogini seems to be paint a extremely distasteful picture of a Yogini. Among other things they even manage to ridicules the beliefs saying

She does not sit cross-legged, enveloped by fumes of incense. She does not quote from ancient Hindu scriptures or instruct students to chant Om and execute headstands for attainment of moksha.

Hope TOI do understand that Hinduism has never said that “executing headstands is a way to attain of moksha”. And to brand a skimpily dressed women striking a vulgar pose is an insult to such great souls.

SHAME

Aziz Bureny, Chief Editor of Rozanama Rashtriya Sahara, apologised for malicious writings against RSS

2011-02-14T20:33:00.004+05:30

Aziz Bureny, Chief Editor of Rozanama Rashtriya Sahara , apologised for his malicious writings against RSS. He has authored a book in Urdu ”RSS ki Sajis:26/11” which was released in December 2010. Two senior political leaders Digvijay Singh, General secretary of the Congress Party and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha K Rahman Khan were present in the release function in which they praised Burney for his ‘brave’ writings

Following is the details of the apology published in Rashtriya Sahara ,January 28,2011

Actual Screen shot of apology in Hindi

Translation of the above Hindi text (in box) published in Rashtriya Sahara ,January 28, 2011, Front Page

“Burney’s clarification and apology”
“In the Context of book RSS conspiracy:26/11”

“My article which I quoted in my series of write ups titled “26/11 the biggest attack in the history of India” was written after the release of the book. The article carries the caption “Hafiz Saeed is our culprit, hand him over to us.” I am neither connecting RSS to the 26/11 attack nor weakening India’s position through my write up published in the Roznama Rashtriya Sahara on17th December, 2010. Through this article, I don’t intend either to put allegation on anyone or hurt anyone’s sentiments. I never intended to allege anyone through my series of articles. If my writings have hurt sentiments of countrymen, I tender my apology for the same. And if need be I am prepared to change the title of my book. As a citizen of the country, I apologise for the mistakes committed on my part. In future, I will be cautious in my writings in future so that no one’s sentiments hurt. I was only trying to put my thoughts across the readers through my write up. Owning the responsibilities for the inconveniences caused to the patriots and countrymen knowingly or unknowingly by my thoughts, I apologize from the core of my heart.“

Please read below on details of how this case was won. This was published in a blog and Media Watch can neither confirm or refute veracity of details.

This is not first time a Newspaper has apologised to RSS. Last time it was The Statesman.
The Statesman on January 15, 2000 published an Article by A.G. Noorani’s “RSS & Services, A Half Century’s Gory Record” in RSS was accused of Murder of Mahatma Gandhi

When the article was published in the Statesman on January 15, 2000, the RSS office in New Delhi filed a defamation suit against A. G. Noorani, C. R. Irani, Ravindra Kumar (Editor and Managing Editor of the Statesman, respectively), and Devvrata (cartoonist), in a New Delhi court. When two of these men did not respond to the court summons, non-bailable warrants were issued against them. The case even went to the Delhi High Court. When the accused realized that they would not be able to escape the guilty verdict, they begged the court that they be allowed to submit an unconditional apology to the RSS. Finally, on February 25, 2002 A.G. Noorani submitted a written apology to the Court in which he regretted writing the article. He promised that the newspaper would publish his apology prominently within a fortnight in the editorial pages. This was done on March 3, 2002. The apology says the following:

Clarification: “We wish to clarify that the publication was made without malice and with no intention to denigrate or defame any person or persons, or RSS. We regret the publication.” (The Statesman, March 3, 2002)

Screen Shots & details of Aziz Burney Case

Apology by Aziz Burney - victory of pursuing lawful path
Vinay Joshi,
Vivek
February 12, 2011.
After the terrorist attack on Mumbai on November 26, 2008, Urdu mass media and Muslim society in general started venomous propaganda against Hindutvawadi organizations and Indian Security Forces. The daily Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara is one such example. The daily had published anti-national writings after the 26/11 incident. Advocate Prashant Maggu and Vinay Joshi fought a legal battle against this. Aziz Burney, editor-in-chief of Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara apologized to the nation in his daily on January 29, 2011. The article below (translated from the Marathi weekly provides information about the legal battle.
Kasab's testimony during the inquiry in Mumbai terrorist attack on November 26, 2008 brought forward names like Hafiz Sayed, Pakistan and ISI. Within a month after the attack, the eminent Urdu daily Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara started publishing several articles linking Mossad, intelligence bureau from Israel, CIA, American Intelligence force and
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Singh (RSS) to 26/11 attack.
Almost all Urdu dailies were publishing similar type of articles. But Rojnama Rashtria Sahara published a special edition in January 2009 entitled Shaheed-E -Vatan Hemant Karkare Ko Salam! (Salute to martyr Hemant Karkare!) The issue was published simultaneously in Urdu, Hindi and English. In this edition, charges were leveled against Indian army,
Intelligence bureau, RSS, CIA and Mossad. These charges were similar to charges leveled by media in Pakistan regarding 26/11 incident. It implied that the terrorist attack in Mumbai was carried out with the consent and cooperation from these four agencies.
Apart from these the main arguments in the charges made by Sahara were:
1)The security force in Nepal arrested Ajmal Kasab two years ago in Kathmandu and Indian intelligence bureau brought him to India after 26/11attack on Mumbai.
2) The higher authorities with criminal background from Mumbai police force killed Hemant Karkare with the help of Indian army.
3) CIA, Mossad, Narendra Modi and RSS are responsible for 26/11 attack.
4)Constables from Mumbai police force fired at CST railway station and some BJP volunteers who had already arrested Kasab brought him before CC TV camera.

After reading these allegations we wrote a letter to Mumbai police commissioner seeking clarification regarding these allegations and asking to file a crime suit against Sahara. In its reply Mumbai police commissioner refused to take action by stating that this issue is in the power of Delhi police.Having left with no option, we filed a court suit against Aziz Burney, editor-in-chief of Sahara (Urdu) on August 9, 2009. The charges were involvement in anti-national activities, plotting against the country and waging a war against the country. Advocate Prashant Maggu appealed an action under articles 121, 108, 107, 117, 124 (A), 153 (A), 153 (B), 505 (2) and 506 of Indian constitution and MOCCA (Maharashtra organized rime Control Act). The allegations leveled by Aziz Burney refuted the laims made on international level by Indian external affairs ministry, entral home ministry and Mumbai police and defamed Indian security orces and intelligence forces, so it was necessary to take action gainst them.
An appeal was made to press council of India to cancel recognition of Rjnama Rashtriya Sahara. Press council is still investigating the ltter. Later information was collected regarding Burney's international visits along with the prime minister. The man who was involved in writing anti-national articles was provided with security service of
Central Industrial Security Force. Notice was issued to take away the security. The central home ministry took a prompt action and removed the security of Burney.
When this case was filed, Burney was trying an entry in Rajya Sabha through president's reserved quota. But there was a stay on his entry to Rajya Sabha because of this court suit. Engrossed with problems all around, on January 29, 20011, Aziz Burney apologized on the front page in his paper Rojnama Rashtriya Sahara. Advocate Prashant Maggu fought
the case bravely and lodged complaints constantly against Burney's anti-national writings. Though Aziz Burney has apologized to the country, the court battle against his anti-national activities will continue in future also.
The role of Urdu media in India regarding terrorism is extremely objectionable. Rakesh Sinha, Pro. India policy Foundation, Delhi has discussed in details the anti-national stance by Urdu media in his book 'terrorism and Indian media". It is clear that the main motive of people like Aziz Burney or Digvijay Singh is creating doubt in the minds of journalists, citizens, media, investigative agencies, armed forces and secondly to hide the pro terrorist activities by Pakistan. To control these activities, we should always follow lawful means and be prepared for the persistent legal battle.
The venomous propaganda by Rojnama Rashtria Sahara is not the only example. There are numerous newspapers, weeklies, monthlies and individuals all around involved in anti-national writings. We should be always alert and be aware of their activities and should nullify their activities by pursuing a lawful path.

Shourie: Hindustan Times practice Swallow and Vomit Journalism & NDTV Reporter is a fool!

2011-02-14T15:31:00.001+05:30

It is hilarious that inspite of Arun Shourie making such a strong case againt “swallow & vomit” jorunalism and even calls an NDTV reporter fool. IBN puts the news as “BJP not interested in pursuing 2G case: Shourie” As if the entire interview was about BJP! No mention of how Manmohan Singh didnot followup, no mention of CBI being given full information…Well as we say “Dog's Tail will Never Get Straight”

Hear the full interview here.

Its Valentine Day; Its the day Medias whips RSS

2011-02-14T08:46:00.001+05:30

Its Valentine Day, the day which Media uses to whip RSS and Sangh Parivar.

The first report of the day has come from TOI. TOI in its report Sangh Parivar threatens to spoil Valentine Day's party writes

When the youngsters are gearing up to celebrate Valentine's day on Monday, cadres of Hindu Munanni and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) have decided to oppose it saying that it is against the Indian culture.

So if you go by TOI report, RSS is going all out to “spoil” valentine party.

However, the truth is written in a line at bottom

RSS Chennai president Durai Shankar said his organisation was also against the celebration of Valentine's day. "This kind of culture will spoil the minds of youngsters. Parents should advice them not to indulge in such type of activities."
However, he said his organisation would not stage any protest.

However, the fact is written in a line at bottom. So inspite what TOI has written in its heading and first para, RSS is not holding any protests which may spoil valentine party for few.!