I was in Kashmir on the 6th May 2017 when Republic Tv was launched. It began with the reveal of Lalu’s fodder scam. Few could imagine that the anchor and the channel’s Chief editor, Arnab Goswami, would later grow monstrous to challenge the fundamental sanctity of journalistic ethics and morals.
None would argue that the channel was a right-wing one and gathered their followers by selling hyper-nationalism and propagandist views. Arnab made believe that he was the nation; his voice was the oppressed Hindus’ voice. Such slant suited the BJP government, as Goswami flouted all standards of newscasting. He was hauled up before the TRAI and the News Broadcasting Standards Authority for spreading fake news demeaning the minorities on multiple occasions.
Tharoor filed a defamation suit over his broadcast alleging the former of murdering Sunanda Pushkar. The court reprimanded Arnab. Arnab’s assumed the role of a prosecutor and the judge in Sushant Rajput’s suicide case and took on the Maharashtra Government and their police force. The misadventure undid BJP’s unflinching support to Arnab and revealed a hitherto unknown criminal mind deep under his mask and his malice against anyone crossing his path.
His claims of being the top in the TRP ratings could have been true, despite fudging it through data viewership manipulations by the BARC. His unethical practices of inflating viewership to stay on the top came to light with the police diffing in deeper. after CBI taking over the investigation, Republic TVs CEO was arrested, Arnab going ballistic that the ‘nation has been wronged!’
Lexicons like ‘Urban-Naxal,’ tukde-tukde’ gang are Arnab’s contribution to the Queen’s language. The Republic Tv became the BJP party’s mouthpiece in its spread of jingoism and pulled down any opposition faces, and anyone who needed to be pulled down or humiliated publicly.
On Pulwama attacks, Arnab stated that “This attack we won like crazy.’ On the subject of Balakot strikes, while on chat with Partho Dasgupta ex CEO of BARC, Arnab revealed three days ahead, his knowledge of retaliatory action by the Indian Army against Pakistan in response to the Pulwama attack. The revelations are serious issues involving national security. Arnab had intruded into the government, in its sensitive areas, strictly forbidden to civilians and newscasters. He had threatened the safety and security of the army men, air force personnel engaged in response to Pakistan.
A few may argue that Arnab is a true friend of Hindus, an image cultured and groomed with the government’s help. Arnab is a shame to dignified reporting and sanctified broadcasting standards. He has defied all. His shouting down in debates is a classic example of his bias that can have no place in a true democracy.
Arnab has a cloak of protection until 29th January on the issues on the TRPs. He must also be investigated and prosecuted under the NIA for revealing information in a serious threat to Indian national security.
DD was dull and bore, but it never breached the ethical standards! The proliferation of channels has made media a circus and has robbed it of its high yesteryear standards.
Sampath Kumar
Intrépide Voix
