Power corrupts. And absolute power corrupts absolutely. Power is simply to either ‘Grant an Undeserved Favor or Snatch a Rightful Right’. Right?

How the barbs thrown at others come back ‘haunting you’! In other words,when you dug a pit for others, you too might fall in that – some day!

We all have been passed on for generations this ‘Time Tested Wisdom’ that, “Lies have no feet. To cover up ‘a’ lie told; you invent another Hundreds of Lies. Eventually, you end up get caught in a web of your own lies’.

CNN IBN commissioned sting (cash for vote scandal) has made a storm not only in political circles but has been a hot topic among the media and many speculations are doing the rounds, ever since the eminent journalist Shri ‘Bharat Vibhushan’ Rajdeep Sardesai refused to air the tapes.

Yesterday CNN IBN issued a long statement – after 10 whole days – explaining why they (CNN IBN) did not telecast the sting.

Statement starts with, “In the last week, there has been speculation over an alleged ‘sting’ operation… […]

Mind the use of word ‘alleged’ in the opening sentence! Now read this,

“The ’sting’ operation conducted by our investigation team… […]

Huh!

“Why have we not telecast the story so far? Quite simply, we have chosen not
to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete.Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions. Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight.In this particular story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked, corroborated and investigated
further before the story could be aired. … […]

Pray tell me Rajdeep, since when you have assumed the role of being an investigative agency head? And do tell us how many ‘sting operations’ aired at CNN IBN had been proved ‘complete’ and conclusive’?

The hoot asks, “Is it the job of a TV channel to provide proof to any Constitutional
authority, in this case the Speaker, before telecasting the news to its viewers?” Any answer, Bharat Bhushan Rajdeep Sardesai SAR?

The statement says, “As it transpired, even before we could complete the process of
investigation, three BJP MPs made allegations in parliament of having been bribed and displayed cash in the House… […]

I am taking liberty to publish the sequence of the events and let us see what Rajdeep has to offer.

Following is the sequence of events, as told by ‘ A Confidential Source’. Let me make it clear. I am under no obligation to disclose my sources, (Isn’t it Rajdeep?  What you enjoy as ‘the privilege’ to with hold naming sources, I too reserve the same)  This is what ‘most probably’ had happened on Monday, 21^st July 2008 and Tuesday, 22nd July 2008.

•Monday 11.30 am:
After an unnamed “intermediary” approaches the three BJP MPs, party trouble-shooters contact the CNN-IBN. Faggan Singh Kulaste and Mahavir
Bhagora are driven to the Le Meridien Hotel, supposedly to meet Congress leader Ahmed Patel. They are wearing button cameras provided by the channel. But there is no sign of Patel in the hotel.

•Monday 1.30 pm:
An unnamed “contact” informs the three BJP MPs that SP MP Reoti Raman Singh would meet them at Ashok Argal’s residence at 4, Ferozeshah Road. The drawing room is fitted with bugging devices and the CNN team is listening in an ante-room. Reoti Raman Singh claims Amar Singh is the person who will finalise the deal.

•Tuesday 9 am:
Argal and Kulaste go to Amar Singh’s house in Lodi Road. The MPs do not wear button cameras. They are filmed entering and exiting the house.

•Tuesday 2 pm:
At 4, Ferozeshah Road, the three MPs get a visitor called Sanjeev Saxena who is allegedly carrying “advance” money for them. The hidden cameras are in place. In Saxena’s presence, the MPs remove the bundles to check the notes. After Saxena leaves, the CNN-IBN reporter interviews each MP. The serial numbers of the Rs 1,000 notes are filmed as proof that the cash delivered is the bundle taken to Parliament.

CNN IBN had an understanding with the ‘whistle blowers’ to air the tapes before ‘Trust Vote’ on that fateful day, Rajdeep did have a look on tapes (a fact he doesn’t deny but so evasively confirms in an interview to rediff.com

“Did you supervise the story?

My two reporters did the job. I may have had a look. Said Rajdeep.

As far as this your truly know or can ascertain, The Editor in Chief  would have had no problem airing the tapes had the sting limited to BJP MPs accepting the bribe offered, but for new found ally and Ahmed Patel featuring in, He decided against it.

After all, Bharat Vibhushan was not rewarded for nothing! Time to pay back Rajdeep? We all know how awards are won, right from the horse’s mouth.

Rajdeep’s channel says, “We would like to reiterate that at CNN-IBN we remain committed to quality and independent journalism. Our commitment is to the truth. Truth that cannot be partial, inconclusive or sensational, but one that must adhere to exacting standards of fairness and accuracy. … […]

Wow! But for your so Nobel thoughts; Sweet Heart! J, who will judge what truth is? YOU, AMAR SINGH, MADAME or DADA? And how many times before your channel had assured all ‘that’ before airing all the ‘stings’ you did air so far?

Rajdeep, I have a nasty habit of reading ‘between the lines’. You are a busy and NOW too important a man, I won’t accuse you if you have forgotten what you said on June 26th, 2001 in a seminar.

(Reading between the lines… with my usual ‘Communal’ and biased yet true interpretations)

Rajdeep your own words…

Another reason for the problem is the changing self-image of the journalist, and his role in a democratic system. For a long time the journalist’s role was seen to be that of an independent observer of events. But observation alone can be rather tedious and not very financially productive either. So, over the years, the journalist has chosen to move from the margins of the fourth estate to being firmly on the centre stage, closer to the first estate (read first family Soinia ‘Maino’ Gandhi’). Ideological corruption is as much a part in this process as anything else. A journalist can get close to a political party (read Congress), business house (read Reliance Anil Ambani Group) or an individual ( read Guru Amar Singh) in a manner that compromises his (read the journalists) independence. Having acquired that proximity (with Congress and the Maino family), the journalist can then use his clout on a larger scale, playing kingmaker in cementing political alliances (By STILL not telecasting tapes) at the centre or in providing the (Help winning the political and/ or pay masters) link between a minister in the Union cabinet (?) and a business house (we all know, who.) in need of a favor. (Yes, do tell us please, is to serve the greatest cause of saving Hindustan from Communal forces?!)

Who is this ‘The Journalist’ Rajdeep Sardesai?

You say very too often, “Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain”, Aree Bhai Aap Kahan Hain?

Rajdeep, simply telecast these tapes ‘unedited and uninfluenced’ with out a second delay lest it is confirmed, that you are all but what you claim to claim here,

“…we value our credibility and independence above all else… […]

It is not only you and CNN IBN whose credibility is at stake; it is of the entire media. Especially the always sermonizing, ‘holier than thou’ 24X7 channels. We have not forgotten how you guys played ‘havoc’ with the lives of Aarushi’s parents. We are in no mood to let you play that again with the very basic and fundamental principal of Democracy and to know what happened is our basic and fundamental right.

Telecast those tapes and let Billion Strong Prudent Indians judge. Period.

Prudent Indian.

STOP PRESS: An Important update from Yossarin. Boycott CNN IBN

Update: Offstumped snubs Rajdeep.

CNN-IBN Boycott - Many Sins

Excellent post must read.

Another Update: A convenient forgetfulness. Francois Gautier.

There was a deafening silence on the role of Rajdeep Sardesai and his channel CNN-IBN’s role in helping the Congress win the vote. Sardesai sat on a sting tape which clearly showed someone who was close to Amar Singh handing over a crore to BJP MPs. If the tape had been aired it would have immediately led to the postponement of the trust vote and the UPA would have ultimately lost it. Instead, he handed it over to the Speaker only at 5 pm, knowing that it would be too late and that most likely Somnath Chatterjee would avoid taking immediate action.