The Hindu Business Line : Sting journalism

THE GOVERNMENT'S RESPONSE in demanding an explanation from a private TV channel for airing a programme featuring the sexual antics of a bunch of politicians is on predictable lines. Even if it contemplates any punitive action, it has first to go through the process of asking the channel whether it considers that it has violated the programme code applicable to all broadcasters. But the Government faces an unenviable task. The Congress(I) had taken an ideological stand on such `sting' operations when a private news web site did an expose on Defence contracts during the previous BJP-led regime and so cannot be seen as opposing the use of such devices. Also, it must be mindful of the groundswell of middle-class public support for the channel on account of what the people perceive as an example of daring investigative journalism.

On the other hand, if the Government chooses not to take any action, it would be seen as an invitation for some of the worst forms of pornography to masquerade as `public interest' programming on the airwaves. The inaction would also raise the hackles of those political parties in the ruling coalition at the Centre whose members have been brought into public ridicule. In contrast, the situation the private channel finds itself in could not be any better. As it is, it has surely succeeded in garnering for itself larger public viewing for its content. Any punitive action by the Government would only confer on it an aura of martyrdom. Then there is always the avenue of judicial redress against executive action. If it succeeds in securing from the courts even a limited restraint on the Government, it could be business as usual and the added public following would not hurt.

Setting a trap to nab wrong doers is no doubt an accepted facet of a criminal investigative process. In corruption cases, apprehending the bribe-taker in the act is accepted as a clinching evidence of his culpability. But catching someone on camera engaged in the sex act does not necessarily establish any. If a sting operation of the kind set up by the private channel suggests anything at all it is the tendency of some officials and politicians to misuse their positions. That is neither proof of past misconduct or the certainty of such behaviour in future. In the novelty of catching some action on camera, one should not make the mistake of viewing a tendency towards criminality as proof of actual wrongdoing.

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