The political and legal controversy generated by Tehelka.com has brought
into focus the growing power of the Internet media. Unlike other media,
Internet provides an opportunity for a journalist to be his own publisher.
As a result, an investigating journalist can effectively publish his findings
to the world if the topic is of general interest.
Tehelka.com episode has opened a few issues of long term implications
for web journalism. The Tehelka team of journalists used what are
clearly "Illegal" means to develop a story which they can claim would be
in public interest to publish. Violation of individual privacy with secret
cameras, using leading questions about the involvement of other persons
and bringing up the names of innocent politicians, Offering donations and
making a quick request for introduction to influential persons, editing
tapes to suit their points of view, selective targetting of some officials
and politicians, and implying in the press conferences that they have actually
come up with proof of corruption in Politics etc were all acts which can
be questioned as "Motivated Journalism". The fact that atleast one of the
investigators was a member of Congress Party in the past which is also
the apparent beneficiary of the findings also lends credence
to this theory. The past record of Tehelka.com in the Manoj Prabhakar's
secret recordings has also not been very distinguished.
If tomorrow a journalist kidnaps a son or daughter of an influential
official and coerces him into parting with information that can expose
some mis deeds of Politicians, would it be acceptable to the Journalistic
society? Is Kidnap in a different leaugue of crimes? If so, where do we
draw the line? What if the journalist had been caught in the process and
the expose had failed?Are such daring "Journalistic Double Agents"
taking a personal risk on themselves? or Are they expecting support from
the journalistic community?. ..
naavi.org has already raised this issue of using "Proper Means" to a "Proper
End" while discussing "Private Cyber Cops". We have recommended that the
Government should have a "Licensing System" for enterprising "Private Web
detectives" who would like to "Patrol" the web in search of "Crimes" or
"Attempt to Commit a Crime". Today such attempts could be considered as
"Hacking" and the persons indulging in such activities may themselves
be punished. Journalists cannot be an exception to this rule. They should
record their intention to cross the "Yellow Line" in public interest with
a suitable "Non Political" organisation to claim "Journalistic protection"
on a later date.
Today, Internet does not have atleast in India, a voluntary "Self regulating"
set up to either guide web journalists or to act as a "Repository" of such
"Investigative Journlism projects".
If web journalists are going to use the freedom of "Publication" offerred
by Internet to using "Any Means" to gather "News", there is an urgent need
for the community of Web Journailsts and Web Publications to distance themselves
from illegal means of News generation and take steps towards setting up
a body of "Web Journalists" which would undertake the responsibility to
guide budding investigative journalists from taking undue risks and motivated
projects that could sully the image of web journalism itself.
Can this also be a part of the activities of "Netizens's Forum for Credible
Cyber Regulations"?, (a project of naavi.org waiting for larger support
from the community)..is a point to ponder.
In the mean time there is a need to develop a code of ethics for web
journalism that would include among other things, the following clauses.
Fairness:
Journalists should respect the rights of people involved in the news,
observe the common standards of decency and stand accountable to
the public for the fairness and accuracy of their news reports. (The kinds
of motivated probing that Journalists like Karan Thapar used to make Kapil
cry on the TV may make good commercial sence but not fair journalism).
Persons publicly accused should be given the earliest opportunity to
respond. But this should not be misused to force unintended words into
the mouths of inexperienced interviewees like what many aggressive journalists
such as Karan Thapar regularly adopt. Such follow up interviews should
be held under a neutral ground and should be clarificatory in nature and
not degenerate to cross examination in a "Trial by the Media".
Responsibility:
Newspapermen and women who abuse the power of their professional role
for selfish motives or unworthy purposes are faithless to the
public trust reposede in them. Journalists must avoid impropriety and the appearance of
impropriety as well as any conflict of interest or the appearance of conflict.
They should neither accept anything nor pursue any activity
that might compromise or seem to compromise their integrity.
(Reporters should declare their past Political background while putting
up a story which can be considered motivated. Similar to the ethics in
print journalism when a declaration of hospitality received is a part of
the news report).
Truth and Accuracy
Every effort must be made to assure that the news content
is accurate, free from bias and in context, and that all sides are
presented fairly. Editorials, analytical articles and commentary should
be held to the same standards of accuracy with respect to facts as
news reports. Errors of fact, as well as errors of omission, should be
corrected promptly and prominently
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of the press belongs to the people. It must be defended against
encroachment or assault from any quarter, public or private. However
Journalists must be constantly vigilant against all who would exploit
the press for selfish purposes .
Impartiality
To be impartial does not require the press to be unquestioning
or to refrain from editorial expression.
Sound practice, however, demands a clear distinction for the reader between
news reports and opinion. Articles that contain opinion or
personal interpretation should be clearly identified.
Means :
The journalist should not use dishonest means for gathering information;
should not violate the right of privacy; except in cases when
this would benefit society in an extraordinary way; should not plagiarize,
always cite the author of used or mimeographed work; should not act to harm
his/ her sources; should not take advantage of the honesty and suffering
of people covered by his/ her stories.
These principles are intended to preserve, Protect and strengthen the
bond of trust and respect between Web journalists and the
people, a bond that is essential to sustain the grant of freedom entrusted
to both by the nation's founders. (Some of the above principles are already
enshrined in the code of ethics of journalists in different parts of the
world such as the American Society of New Paper Editors).
Naavi
March 25, 2001
Do readers have a views on this? or suggestions?. If so, Your
views can be sent here
