Over the last few months, the Radia tape leaks have created a
sensation. Telephone lines of Ms. Niira Radia, a corporate lobbyist, were tapped
and her conversation with many prominent personalities was recorded at the
behest of the Income Tax Department.
Two magazines published the transcripts and put the leaked
audio tapes on their websites. This left many embarrassed and red faced. Hearing
the taped conversations, many wished their lips were taped instead. These
included politicians, industrialists, bureaucrats and prominent journalists.
Nobody has denied the contents of the tapes. Few persons have expressed regrets
on what they spoke. The tapes have raised many questions.
The period during which the telephone lines were tapped
included post election days when the Union Government was being formed and also
the period after the judgment of the Hon. Bombay High Court in the matter of
dispute between two industrialist brothers.
The conversations that Ms. Radia had with some of the
prominent journalists give an impression that these journalists played an active
role as go-between the political parties, promoting or otherwise a person to be
included in the government as a minister.
The tapes also include a conversation which indicates that
after the decision of the Hon. Bombay High Court in the matter of dispute
between two prominent industrialist brothers, Ms. Radia could prevail upon a
respected journalist to write an article with the aim of serving the interest of
one of them, but which, on the face of it, dealt with the national resources of
the country.
Politicians, industrialists and media have tremendous power.
They influence economic policies that affect the nation as a whole. When these
three come together for their own interests and not for those of the country, it
is a cause for worry. One starts doubting even the news that one reads in the
newspapers or watches on the TV. It is not uncommon for a journalist or a
newspaper or TV channel to be inclined towards a particular political party. But
when journalists appear to be doing a fixing job rather than collecting news,
one is left wondering about the purpose behind it. Independence of media is as
important as independence of the judiciary.
In recent times, the media has played an important role in
raising many issues of public importance. This included molestation of Ruchika
Jaiswal, the Jessica Lal murder case, unearthing of the CWG scam, etc. The
success of media gives it the power to influence opinion. But this power needs
to be exercised with responsibility. It is therefore important that media is
independent and is also seen to be independent. This image is shattered when one
reads the transcripts.
Equally surprising is the influence that Ms. Radia wielded
over the politicians, bureaucrats, journalists and industrialists. It is common
and even legitimate for any industry, interest group to lobby for favourable
policies. In a democratic set up, lobbying has a role to play. NGOs, industry
organisations, industrial houses have to lobby. In a sense, it serves the
purpose of letting the government know various points of view. Per se there is
nothing wrong with it. But the line between what is legitimate lobbying and what
is not is rather thin. When one reads the transcripts of the tapes, somewhere,
one gets a feeling that on occasion, the politicians and journalists were
getting fed at the hands of the lobbyist, leaving their own judgement and
objectivity aside. While the lobbyist may do his/her job, the journalists,
politicians and bureaucrats have to apply their own mind. But when they fail to
do so, one doubts the legitimacy of the lobbying, one feels there is something
more than what meets the eye. One wonders if there is quid pro quo.
The next point is how today, technology has completely
destroyed privacy. Possibly even George Orwell (the author of `Nineteen
Eighty-Four’ who coined the phrase `Big Brother is watching’) will be surprised
how our every action is open to prying eyes. Whether it is social networks like
Facebook, telephone lines or emails – all of these are far less secure than what
we would like to believe. This is surely a cause for concern. Just as Right to
Information is important, so is the right to privacy. There has to be a balance
between the two.
In case of Radia’s tapes, the conversations that have come
into the public domain made people aware about how things happen behind the
curtain. In this particular instance, the leaks served a public interest. At the
same time, many, as individuals, have been left acutely embarrassed because of
the opinions which they expressed which became public. Partly it was only loose
talk, partly genuine opinions. In either case, these were not expected to become
public. It is here that the Right to Privacy is important. One must be assured
of privacy. News, merely to create sensation, is not acceptable. Every person,
whether a common man or celebrity, is entitled to privacy and the media has a
responsibility in this regard. The matter of Right to Privacy is already before
the Hon. Supreme Court.
The government, for special reasons, may tap phone lines,
review mails. But then it has the solemn duty to use the information only in the
larger public interest. With this background, the leakages of the tapes to media
by government agencies is a serious lacuna in the system. The government has
ordered a probe into the leakage. One wonders if it will reveal anything. But
the system needs a thorough review to avoid such leakages. It is one thing to
get information under RTI and another to get the information through
illegitimate sources. The latter may encourage corruption. A weak system may
lead to leakage of vital information, adversely affecting national security.
Even investigative journalists need to draw the line while sourcing information
and news. Ends do not justify the means in any field including investigative
journalism.
Last but not the least, while the Radia tapes created a
sensation, the media—both print and electronic—had very little comment when
discussing the role of journalists in the whole episode. Media, when it comes to
politicians, bureaucrats etc., is so vocal but when it concerns their own clan,
has been rather silent. This silence speaks volumes.
As we enter the New Year, let us hope that India comes out
stronger and less corrupt from the scams of the year gone by.
Wish you all a Happy New Year!
