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? J 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, 21st 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.
Truth must be unearthed, wherever buried, ‘Whatever it Takes’.
Tracking: Cash-for-Votes-Hide-the-Tapes-Scandal.
Related posts and updated links as the case progresses.
Amar Singh ‘Amar’ Raho.
ManMohan Singh/ Amar Singh Government Wins/ Manages the “TRUST” of India.
‘The Headmaster of a school for scandal’ by M.J.Akbar
Rajdeep Sardesai: Cash-for-Votes-and-Hide-the-Tape Scandal. ‘Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain’, of course!
Rajdeep Sardesai: Answer Please, who disrobed Democracy?
Rajdeep Sardesai, Sagarika Ghose and their ‘Tunnel Vision Channel’ : CNN IBN.
Rajdeep Sardesai: Uuff! Skeletons have started tumbling out of Cupboard.
ACCOUNTABILITY – (Webster) an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility or to account for one’s actions
The 4 pillars –
Government – Will not be accountable for citizen’s security and performance of all ministries.
Judiciary – Will not be accountable for upholding the Constitution and holding all sections of community to the law of the land
Police – Will not be accountable for upholding the law and order situation and protection of the public
Press – Will not be accountable to readers/viewers/listeners by providing accurate, unbiased news/stories/programs.
General Public – Will not hold any of the above 4 pillars accountable for their actions.
This my friends is the comic-tragedy that is India.
“This my friends is the comic-tragedy that is India.”
😦 Sad as it, but true nevertheless. i agree with you DD.
But, I see this ‘scandal’ as a ‘blessing in disguise’ too, since it has exposed the dirty games of so called Sec-Soc main stream English media in particular and screaming and breathless ‘accusatory tone’ reporting of 24X7 channels.
Thanks to Rajdeep , 🙂 the ‘scandal’ has striped them of their ‘veneer’. Ironical isn’t it? that Rajdeep has shown us all that, ‘MSM Mein Sab Nange Hain’
PI.
Very learned and well analysed…. As such, Congress has a history of ‘managing’ the media… And the media is too commercialised to take a badla 🙂
Objectivity was never one of Mr. Rajdeep Sardesai’s virtues.
This episode has exposed him completely and for once I believe, majority of the nation is upset with him. The anguish felt by many is well put by you in this piece. And the BJP has indeed got it right this time.
However, Mr. Chatterjee too must be quick and fair in probing this scandal, the alacrity shown by him during the ‘cash-for-question’ sting operation is clearly missing in this present case.
We must view young people not as empty bottles to be filled but as candles to be lit.RobertShafferRobert Shaffer
The difference between myself and a madman is that I am not mad.SalvadorDal%EDSalvador Dal?, 1904-1989
CNN-IBN should get off from their non existent high pedestal of moral & ethics, they have once again proved that media and politics are as much hand in glove as they were 20 yrs. from now
PI,
He is Padamshri, how could you ignore this fact dear?
Anyway, a minor mistake i believe,:)
A very well researched and very very hard hitting post.
I can guarantee you ( and i know u know that i can 🙂 ) the mail has reached all the three places it intended to be.
:0
muuuuuah!
KIRTI
🙂
The time to hesitate is through.JamesDouglasMorrisonJames Douglas Morrison, lead singer of The Doors
Why is that Sardesai can air sting operations on Gujarat Riots and Non-Congressi MP’s, but he cannot air CD on cash for vote scandal ? (When both mentioned scandal are subjudiced)
Is this because Anil Ambani have stake in TV18 which in turns have stake in IBN, and he happens to be best buddy of accused Amar Singh ?
Because Sardesai is impartial and have leaning towards Congress Part ?
What is funny is that he talks about ethics and morals. With his decision on this cd he has unmasked himself.
Sardesai and his colleagues have helped raping Indian democracy, Congrats on that.
I wonder what he got for this, money / shares / licence for new channel.
Rajdeep Sardesai is is probably most corrupt journalist in India.
Shame on Sardesai.
friends yesterday i wrote a blog on IBN LIVE WEBSITE asking Rajdeep what happened to those tapes? guess what…my blog disapeared!!!!!!!!!
This our Mr. Unbiased Rajdeep Sardesai!!!!!!!!!!
Before reading of this post. I have high credibility of CNN-IBN in my mind but after reading this post , it seems I was completely wrong.
It seems that CNN-IBN also like as Other so called secular media and only works for money & most secular party of Inida(Congrass- who had only rules india by pampareing muslim).
Rajdeep sirdesai , today you lost my confidence in you and your credibility.
wut a post !!!!!!!!!!….seriously mind blasting…and i guess u got the love letters too…hahahaha…
okey nyways….the best points were..between the lines wala and tht “HAMMAM” part..too good..
tc……
M
Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain”, Aree Bhai Aap Kahan Hain?
AREE!
YEH TO SARE AAM BAZAR MEIN NANGA HAI.
RAJDEEP-=NANGA-SAR-DESAI.
🙂
SHAME SHAME PUYPPY SHAME
SHAME SHAME PUPPY SHAME
SHAME ON RAJDEEP
RAJDEEP=LALOO (NOT THE ABOVE WALA)=AMARSINGH=MULAYAM=JAICHAND=V P SINGH = ALL ENEMIES OF HINDUSTABN
SHAME SHAME PUPPY SHAME
I SPIT ON THESE NAMES
“Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight..” It means all that what was being shown was on your channel was false, fabricated and at the behest of politics. Have you and your team has even seen your face when you terrorise BJP and Hinduse in the name communalism. I have seen it but you can not ask in the same tone to either Congress or to minorities
P.I,
Hit the nail on the Head.
RSD has lost his credibility not only of his but also of his channel.
After this tape scandal i have stopped watching this sicular channel as i stopped subscribing The Chindu from April’14th when TOI was launched in chennai.
To hell with all these pseudosecular jokers.
Dear RSD,
Cash for vote.
We have stop watching your channel. CNN IBN is prop congress. You journalisum is at steak. Check what Prabhu Chawla said about you. I am sure CNN IBN will get something in return. Is their a deal with congress?
Your channel favourite senetence is Hamam mein sab naghe hain. You are the first one to take lesson.
Rajdeep has betrayed not only the profession he is in but has betrayed the Democracy. he is hand in glove with the crook politicians and has sold the country – for few rs. more – to the pack of wolves.
Every time I see rajdeep preaching sickular sermons, I feel agitated.
PI is there any law where rajdeep can be punished for betraying the Nation?
I propose…
1. boycott his sick and ‘misleading channel’.
2. Try him in court of law for suppressing/altering and concealing the evidence.
3.he must be prosecuted for his ‘confirmed’ role in subverting and bringing shame on the Republic Of India.
4. The PADAMSHREE he has been bribed with by the ‘ITALIAN MAFFIA BOSSWOMAn’ must be snatched back.
Rajdeep do not show your silly face, it is blackened, for ever.
PI,
cmon dude, get going, waiting for your comments on the amarnath hindu intafada.
I have never had an opportunity to read this blog and today by chance I found it while searching for details on Bangladeshi immigrants.
The “cash for scam” of CNN IBN – is an apt title rather than cash for vote.
Is it not a known fact that CNN IBN and Congress are hand in glove to provide safe acquittal of Amar Singh?
In this great land of ours media is run by stooges of political bosses and politicians own every kind of media. As a common man, expecting any kind of impartial reporting in our broadcast media is stupidity.
It is a channel which uses email hoaxes of past years as a new item and fools gullible viewers-
Sent: Monday, June 16, 2008 9:27 AM
To: ‘editor@ibnlive.com’
Subject: The Giant Skeleton Picture hoax
Respected Editor,
It is unfortunate that your channel is beaming a picture which has been a part of the email hoax for the last three years. What baffles me is that the email hoax is aired on a prestigious channel like yours without assigning any research work on the news item. I saw many callers calling your studios to give their opinions on the giant skeleton without any scientific rationale. Please see this link and your news production team will put this to an end- http://www.hoax-slayer.com/giant-skeleton.html
Hope sense prevails.
Srinivas Vedula
After this mail the live coverage on the channel stopped abruptly and it was not aired again.
That is what CNN IBN and IBN is all about.
Srini
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you down the road!
[…] dare both Bhai Padamshri Rajdeep and Bhen Padamshiri Barkha to release the tapes of their reporting from Gujarat post Godhara. DOES […]
[…] the most shocking thing is the role played by the Media House. Media prides in self as ‘Watch Dogs’ of Society. And when the man whom you ‘trust’ to safe guard you, stabs in your back and becomes an […]
what else you expect from a SECULAR journalilst with leftist tendencies.
Sagarika ghose should be told by someone that AMARNATH lingam is not Rajdeep’s tool (which melts -pre-mature ejaculation – even before he could place it between sagarika’s legs).
CNN-IBN is anti Hindu. It may have gotten license by bribing. Its licnse should be scaked. Both RSD and sagarika most biased in their articles and views against Hindus. They don’t post my comments on their website. The products that are advertised on their channel should be boycotted, RSD made big deal of Post Godhra
[…] Indeed! Well, skeptics in any case knew why tapes were with held, as you’re truly too wrote here why? Many people still gave Padamshri Rajdeep Sardesai a ‘benefit of doubt’, believing him for the […]
I would like to comment that, most of the Indian Media is politically biased and immature, especially when it comes to BJP rules states they are surprisingly misleading the readers and viewers in this country. Infact, in my true knowledge BJP ruled states are doing well in many aspects if not all compare to other states.We know that there is not a single news paper or visual media which is not run by a family in this country.If you consider CNN-IBN it is the most visibly biased visual media channel ever India have seen, so obsessed with Gandhi dynasty,Rajdeep and his Wife Sagarika is totally after Narendra Modi and BJP. If Modi sneezes it is a headline story in CNN-IBN!.if you consider NDTV PRANNOY ROY is trying his best to be a pseudo-secularist. But if we closely watch each of their programs it is increasingly getting biased and a person with common sense can understand what is going on behind the scene.Prannoy Roy and Barkha Dutta believes they are the only intellectuals left in this country!.If you look at the news papers, we know the history of Indian express. What role Goenka played in Indian politics utilizing his family run news paper business.Vir Sanghvi of Hindustantimes ( Late KK Birla is a staunch congressman) is all the way praising Sonia as if his career itself is pledged for that cause. A fair exemption can be made for Times of India ,I don’t know If I am correct.Otherwise there is a serious conspiracy going on this country by these new founded intellectual Pseudo Secularists.We must be able to differentiate what is right and what is wrong as these channels are targeting young urban population mixing news with bit of masalas and Tabloid especially the Hip-hop culture. They are not aware that their credibility and neutrality is being lost infront of the masses.In India Media ethics is a neglected truth.It is the era of family run businesses for personal and political gains.In the name of freedom of speech they are misleading the people to make thier own profit and gains.Who care where this will lead the country to?????
I may be dubbed as a fundamentalist because of my comments,that is the new trend prevail in India.But reality bites and people should analyze the news particles coming to them before believing in it.Because for many ,it affects thier intellectual behaviour. There should be some accountability of the Media institutions in this country and we the Citizens are responsible for that.Please Beware.
PI…its been a very long time you have come up with more on subjects related to hindus and our problems. beleive me, there are hundreds of young men out here who will adore this kind of blog. ALL THE BEST TO PI
[…] Do that by all means who stops you after all one Padam Shri Editor in Chief say and say openly, “Hamam Mein Sab Nange Hain”. Who doubts any […]
My blood boils when I see him on CNN-IBN, Its a very sad time for India with such a biased media, people need to think twice before believing what they see on news channels. I propose sting operations on these corrupt journalists who are selling our country for money. Sad times.
Hello , Happy Fool’s Day!!
There is an envelope on the windshield with a note of apology and two tickets to a music concert. The note reads, “I apologize for taking your car, but my wife was having a baby and I had to hot-wire your ignition to rush her to the hospital. Please forgive the inconvenience. Here are two tickets for tonight’s concert of Garth Brooks, the country-and-western music star.”
Their faith in humanity restored, the couple attends the concert and returns home late. They find their house has been robbed. Valuable goods have been taken from throughout the house, from basement to attic. And, there is a note on the door reading, “Well, you still have your car. I have to put my newly born kid through college somehow, don’t I?”
Happy April Fool’s Day!
sardesai is a corrupt journaliat
Only a revolution can save India i guess. Considering press, politicians and all on one side manipulating us i guess there is no other way. I suspect even if the MP elections are true. They are bought by money and corruption maybe. I am thinking how much should more Barat Matha suffer?
[…] a controversial confidence vote in Parliament where a cash-for-votes sting op was bizarrely not aired by the editor of the channel who commissioned the sting), expected the MMRCA order to comes its way […]