Skip to content Skip to navigation

Exposing corrupt journalists of our time

Corruption in journalism often makes news in Indian media. The creator of news also emerges as a matter of reporting in many parts of the country. The alienated Northeast too never ignored the trend. In fact, soon after the arrest of an Assamese scribe for his involvement in a bribery case with a seasoned politician, the issue comes to the center stage of Assam media.

While it was appalling news for the people of Assam, as one of its active state ministers was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials few weeks back in New Delhi with the charges of offering bribe to an officer (to get rid of a murder case), more shocking news waited for the media persons. The investigation agency also picked up the scribe accusing himto get involved in the episode. The arrest of Mukul Pathak, who was associated with an Assamese daily along with the then Education minister Ripun Bora (third prey was a Delhi-based businessman, Ramesh Maheswari), made huge media headlines for many days in Assam.

The immediate reaction of the people in general and media persons in particular was that Mukul got nothing but his dues. Meanwhile wild allegations were poured against the young scribe that he managed hundred thousand bucks with his unethical understanding and activities with the minister. Few journalists came out with more serious versions that Mukul destroyed the image of Assam media to the greatest extent. Those journalists even tried to create an atmosphere that after Mukul's arrest, everything became so crystal clear and the Assam media emerged as a place for holy cows only.

So there were hot debates and discussions about the punishments that could be pronounced to Mukul, who was then serving the term for judicial custody at Tihar jail. If the CBI can arrest him for his involvement in episode of bribing one of its officers with Rs 10,00,000 in cash by the minister, why not the journalists' body could condemn and expel him from the community-many journalists raised voices. There was however little voice in support of Mukul to explain his point of views. It was a general understanding that if Mukul was arrested by the CBI (which can never do wrong!), he must have been a criminal. And hence there were no point discussing his version of self defense and even not to wait for the final verdict of the court regarding the episode.

But a journalists' meeting at Guwahati Press Club on June 22 changed the face of anger against Mukul. Organized by the Journalists' Action Committee, Assam and the representative of National Federation of Newspaper Employees, the meeting insisted on providing space for Mukul to clarify his stand at the earliest. Presided over by a journalist Keshab Kalita, the meeting also decided to send a delegation of journalists to New Delhi to meet Mukul and pick up his explanation on the incident. The delegation was supposed to meet the concerned CBI officials as well.

Various speakers in the meeting were unanimous in asserting that Mukul could never be 'the only and the last tainted reporter', working in Assam for various media. It was observed that a section of journalists tried to establish it with their comments soon after the incident. Hence they urged the editors to keep a vigil on the working journalists of the respective media houses.

"If Mukul is proved to be involved in the episode, for which he was arrested by the CBI, the journalists' body would support appropriate actions against the reporter. He will also be expelled from the journalists' body," said in a resolution of the meeting.

In another resolution, the meeting demanded the minimum salary and other economic facilities to the working journalists of Assam. Speakers including Prakash Mahanta (a senior journalist and the secretary of Journalists Action Committee, Assam), Sabita Lahkar (editor of an Assamese monthly, Ajori), Mukul Kalita and Naresh Kalita (both are Guwahati based senior journalists) expressed resentment at the disappointing condition of the working journalists of the state, where over 60% of them were compelled to work without a proper appointment letter, salary structure, leave and other relevant facilities, which are recommended by various laws including the Indian Labour Act. The meeting was also addressed by Pankaj Dutta, Neetumoni Saikia, Samir Sandilya, Nayanjyoti Bhuyan (all are reporters associated with vernacular media) etc.

"This is very unfortunate that media persons in Assam have to work with a salary starting with even Rs. 2000 with absolutely no job security. Many times, the journalists (including the editors) are used by the proprietors of media groups for their business (other than media) interest. So in such a chaotic situation, we can hardly expect a fair journalism in the state," commented a Guwahati based senior citizen, Dimbeswar Talukder. He however added that it was not only the local and less paid scribes, who were engaged with some corrupt means, but a section of established journalists (belonged to news agencies and metro dailies) with adequate financial security too continued indulging with such kind of activities.

His comment was supported by a city based scribe, Haren Kalita, arguing that there were many journalists, who pursued unethical means for personal benefits, of course, in a different way. "Why are you making so much noise against the poor reporter (Mukul Pathak)? Do not you know that many so-called senior and responsible journalists were equally involved in corrupt practices? I know that they do it in a more polished manner. So nobody find it worth bothering," he commented.

Devashish Bhattacharjee, another city based reporter raised a vital point, "Take an example. We have a number journalist cum documentary film makers (employed with professional media houses) in the city, who works for the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India). There may be nothing wrong to produce documentaries for Doordarshan, but when one does it on some government departments, it might turn sour. Suppose, one proposes for productions related to the state forest department and take all possible advantages (conveyance to lodging in forest guest houses) from the department while on shooting, is not it a wring way? Because the producers had already received (or will receive) the money against all relevant expenditures from Prasar Bharati, then why he should go begging the unethical support from the department? Will he be able to raise voice (to file news) against the department in future in a credible way?"

Bhattacharjee wrapped up with a final say, "Was not exactly it a cause, why many journalists in Assam ignored the public resentment against the state forest department during the last few months for its failure to protect the endangered one horn rhinos in various national preserves? One can go for record that those journalists remained silent while the conscious people of the state came to the streets condemning the state forest minister for his negligence in duties, but they were too quick to report when the minister or the forest officials made some statements (though many times those were proved useless). Is not it a matter of corruption in different shape and sizes?

Comments

Pallavi Barua's picture

Is Devashish Bhattacharjee talking of Mrinal Kumar Talukdar who works with UNI ? Indeed, the plight of the Rhino has never been focussed.
Nanda Kirati Dewan's picture

Indeed a matter of Concern...... Assamese media industry will take another 10yrs minimum to make a secured establishment for its employees of all grades. Anyways, Let us join hands together to build a corruption Free Independent Media in Assam and let this be the last episode.
Pallavi Barua's picture

Last Episode! This is a Pandora's Box.... more and more virus will crop up.....Assamese Media is rotten.... from top to bottom.... NO EXPLANATIONS PLEASE..... I know the reality, inside out...
Devashish Bhattacharjee's picture

may be Pallavi, you guess. Mrinal works for UNI, makes time to produce documentary for Prasar Bharati. Guwahati UNI was silent on public resentment against forest department.
raktim baruah's picture

Nava-da, your article clearly visualises the derogatory situation of Assamese media. It is unquestionable that Assamese media become ally of hegemonic political-leaders.thereby the hopes and aspirations of Assamese people began evaporating.thanks.

Pages

Add new comment

Random Stories

Dima Hasao gearing up for Council's election

5 Apr 2013 - 8:55am | Anup Biswas
In order to ensure smooth and proper management and free fair, peaceful conduct to the forthcoming 11th N.C. Hills Autonomous Council Election 2013, a meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s...

Science exhibition begins at Tangla

23 Oct 2017 - 10:02pm | AT Staff Reporter
A two day science exhibition has been organized at Tangla from October 23.The science exhibition is organized by Arunodoi Academy,Tangla on the occasion of three day 13th Foundation Day celebration...

Make GU top class varsity: CM to VC

23 Aug 2013 - 10:00pm | AT News
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi stressed quality education, human resources, working conditions and infrastructure to make Guwahati University a front-ranking institute of the world.In his interaction...

MLA upset of ruling on cross voting

28 Mar 2022 - 5:40pm | AT News
Guwahati: Independent MLA from Sivasagar has strongly objected to the state assembly Speaker’s ruling on cross voting in the Rajya Sabha polls. Gogoi said that it was not proper for the Speaker to...

Other Contents by Author

Guwahati: Thimphu based author-journalist Gopilal Acharya will interact with Guwahati scribes on Friday (21 December 2018), where the young writer is expected to speak on various socio-political and cultural issues of Bhutan. Author of Bhutanese Folk Tales, Dancing to Death, With a Stone in My Heart etc will address the member-journalists of Guwahati Press Club through video conferences from the Bhutanese capital city of Thimphu. Born in Gelephu of the Himalayan Shangri-La in 1978 and educated in Bhutan and Sweden, Gopilal regularly contributes for CNN, South Asian Monitor, Straits Times, Telegraph, Kuensel, Bhutan Times etc. The award winning journalist will highlight bilateral...
Guwahati: As India and Myanmar (formerly Burma) maintain a strong legacy of friendship, trust and cooperation for centuries, the southeast Asian nation expects an active role in diverse fields from New Delhi. But reasons, best known to the Indian government, visible efforts from New Delhi continue to be rare in contrast to hyper activism adopted by the Beijing based Chinese administration. Speaking to a group of scribes at Guwahati Press Club from Bogo near to Yangon on 7 December 2018 through video conferencing, Debbie Stothard, a journalist turned pro-democracy human rights activist, also pointed out the unusual delay in functioning of much hyped Kaladan multi-modal project that would...
Guwahati: Rise of Islamist extremism in Bangladesh is not only posing a serious threat to the Muslim dominated country, but also to its neighbouring north-eastern States of India along with West Bengal. Speaking to a group of scribes at Guwahati Press Club from Dhaka through internet on Friday, prominent Bangladeshi journalist Saleem Samad made this comment. An Ashoka Fellow and Hellman-Hammett Award recipient journalist also added that an upsurge of fundamentalist forces in Bangladesh poses serious threats not only to the religious minority communities there, but also to the secularists, intellectuals and other sects within the Muslim community. Samad narrated how atheist &...
Guwahati: The Apollo Hospitals Chennai will conduct two media OPD clinics at Guwahati Press Club on 22 September and 5 October next. Dr S Kannan (ENT/ Head & Neck Surgeon) will be available for free consultations to scribes on coming Saturday from 3 pm to 4.30 pm. The participants can get free consultations on throat problems, mouth ulcers, ear infections etc from the attending physician. On the other hand, Geriatrician Dr Rajendran Magesh will be available for consultations on general medical problems to the participants (who are above 40) in the second health camp on Friday between 5 pm and 7 pm at the press club premises. Organized under the series of ‘Evening with a Doctor’...
Guwahati: On the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day (8 September), a health camp for the benefit of member-journalists of Guwahati Press Club was organized on Saturday. Initiated by of Indian Association of Physiotherapists (Assam branch), Indian Association of Physiotherapists Women cell (Assam branch) and All Assam Physiotherapy Association, the camp was graced by Dr Chatrajit Das (PT), Dr Mayur Das (PT) and Dr Trishna Saikia Baruah (PT). They were assisted by Banashri Das (MPT), Dikshita Rabha (MPT), Bhargab Bhattacharya (MPT), Laizu Yeamin Lipa (MPT), Mathew Lalruatliana (MPT) and Karan Yangma (MPT). Till date, the press club health clinic has been supported by Down Town Hospitals,...
Guwahati: Most of the city based scribes need thorough eye check-ups as they constantly use digital screen for hours in a day. In a day long eye screening camp, organized EYE DOCTORS, a city based eye institute and surgery centre, at Guwahati Press Club on 7 July 2018 it was observed that half of the participants were in need of thorough check-up and necessary treatments. Senior eye surgeon Dr Bindu Singla Goel conducted the camp, where around 60 journalists participated and went with preliminary screening of their eyes. The practicing physician was assisted by health workers Afsana Khatun and Robita Roy. Few employees of Cipla and Alcon were also present to support the camp.
Guwahati As part of a wider initiative to help member-journalists add value to their professional experience, Guwahati Press Club has begun to screen award winning and critically acclaimed films and documentaries every week. On Friday (11 May), the non-verbal documentary ‘Glass’ was screened at the GPC auditorium. An Oscar-winning documentary made in 1958 by eminent European filmmaker Bert Haanstra, ‘Glass’ brilliantly contrasts glassblowing techniques used at the Royal Leerdam glass factory in Netherlands, with modern machines churning out glassware on industrial scale. The film captures the art of the glassblowers with great sensitivity, their marvelous craftsmanship imparting each...
Guwahati: Assam’s well known Dispur Hospital organizes a free lipid profile tests for the journalist-members of Guwahati Press Club starting on Monday (9 April). The series of camp will continue for five days till Friday at the press club premises where 20 blood samples will be taken every day (from 12 noon to 1 pm). It may be mentioned that the lipid profile (lipid panel) test includes various types of blood screenings to measure the level of cholesterol and triglycerides. The tests can identify certain genetic diseases and determine approximate risks for cardiovascular disease, certain forms of pancreatitis, and other related diseases. In case the number of participants increases (even...
Acclaimed Assamese music composer and singer Kula Barua emphasizes on a State Sangeet Natak Academy for the benefit of performing artistes and also the new generation who would study the Assamese culture in future. Attending the ‘Guest of the Month’ program at Guwahati Press Club on Thursday (2 November 2017), the soft spoken gentleman also insisted on relentless appreciation of Assamese music and songs. Answering various questions raised by the participating journalists, Barua expressed concern that the lyrics have now been ignored by a section of present time singers. He remembered Dr Bhupen Hazarika’s contribution to modern Assamese lyrics and termed him as an emperor who used to create...
On the occasion of World Physiotherapy Day, a physiotherapy camp has been organized tomorrow (8 September 2017) at Guwahati Press Club. The free camp, open for all member-journalists of the press club, will start at 1 pm and conclude by 5 pm. The camp, planned for detailed physical assessment & effective treatments for the participants, will be supervised by senior physiotherapists namely Dr Kangkan Talukdar (PT), Dr Lopa Das (PT), Dr Pankaj Das (PT) and Dr Pooja Saikia (PT). They will be assisted by a number RCPHS, CPMS, ADTU College students namely Anuradhapura Das, Rupam Kalita, Munindra Gogoi, Rijuwana Begum, Himashree Medhi, Soni Phom, Gautam Das, Sneha Das, Sasanka Mahanta, Mr...