Bull's Eye

Sting operators have gained instant fame and sensation. But what have they achieved? They justify their clandestine methods—and, in the bargain, frequent destruction of innocent reputations—by asserting that they have highlighted corruption in the system. Do they think that the public does not know that the system is corrupt? They must be living on another planet! The danger of sting operations is that along with the well-intentioned professionals, unscrupulous racketeers can slip in for blackmail, and for carrying out hit jobs financed by interested politicians. Believe me, this does happen.

Ultimately, it is, of course, the results that count. How much of the stuff uncovered by spy cameras has actually amounted to acceptable court evidence? How many celebrity cases sensationalised by sting operations have actually resulted in conviction?

Contrast this with the Priyadarshini Mattoo murder case. It was reopened by the police, reviewed by the court, and ended with the high court reprimanding the lower court for an earlier perverse judgement, and with a conviction of the accused who previously had been let off. What brought this about? Old-fashioned investigative journalism by which reporters doggedly dug out facts, and editors persisted with crusades against injustice. There were no sting operations or spy cameras at work. TV channels played their part. The wide publicity given to lapses in the investigation forced authorities to respond. The same sort of professional journalism will succeed hopefully in bringing to justice criminals in both the Jessica Lall case and the Katara murder case.

Today, the Indian media has power as never before. Its sheer reach can alter public perception and expose authority. Had today’s media reach been available during the Jain hawala case, a sorely needed revolutionary change might have come into our politics. But, there will doubtless be other cases, other occasions. Will the media, then, rise to the occasion?

(Puri can be reached at rajinderpuri2000@yahoo.com)