Media crooks tarnish the profession
By Manisha Yadav
When the Executive, Legislature and Judiciary get embroiled in corrupt activities, why should the fourth pillar of democracy, the Fourth Estate, be exempt from its influence.
Corruption in the country’s media began way back in the eighties. It has merely taken on different avatars now. Paid news in mainstream newspapers and paid slots on television channels are old hat now.
In the Southern States particularly, major newspapers or television channels are party-backed media organisations. It goes without saying that they indulge in unethical practices like blacking out news related to Opposition parties, doctoring news to favour their point of view and so on.
The experience of a respondent from Medak in Andhra Pradesh is truly shocking. The Andhraiite happened to accidently hit another person when riding. Even before he could think of offering some form of compensation to the victim, a print newsperson who suddenly came around offered to settle the issue on his behalf.
The journalist demanded a sum of Rs 10,000 to place the blame for the accident on the person lying injured so that the rider could escape a police case. After much negotiations, the respondent had to pay Rs 5,000 to after which the matter was supressed(http://www.ipaidabribe.com/bribe-central/i-paid-bribe-print-media)
No wonder, some journalists avail of gifts and free lunches at press conferences as if it is a birthright.