INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALISM

In India public and private media is on guard of democracy; the fourth estate is strong and effective. Despite several aberrations, what effectively monitors and upholds democratic values is investigative journalism. However, Indian bureaucracy, notorious for its red tapism, does not easily part with even ordinary information, never mind the information acts on the book, and those who really want to expose do not trust the press. Investigative reporting scrutinizes and exposes the wrong-doings of those in authority, which hurt public interest and make them accountable to the people.

Be it bringing brutal realities of Nithari case, multi-crore Stamp Paper scam, Telgi case, or Fodder Scam - journalists are lead by nose for news. With the sole aim of bringing down the reality to public, they struggle to bring the reality to light. If documents, receipts, accounts, papers or files are not forthcoming as proof, journalism now thrives on major supporter – Technology. What better option can a sleuth have than a spycam? The two of them are team enough to dig out bare facts, and put them live on screen.

What started as Tehelka’s sting operation has evolved as a new trend in the history of Indian journalism where each corrupt hand is under constant threat. Whereby investigative journalism is disciplined, rigorous and demanding there are few incidents of fraudulent reporting driven by personal, political goals. Even the recent Delhi School Teacher –Uma Khurana case has opened another chapter of corrupt reporting to investigative journalism, raising questions over the credibility of media. Where Ethics to journalism is soul to body, a partial, fame-driven approach mars its entire purpose.

Where press serves as the watchdog; now checks and balances are also required to maintain to the standards of the free press of India.