“Fair is foul, and foul is fair”, the lines from Act
1, Scene 1 of William Shakespeare’s tragedy, MACBETH, surely found its
significance in the contemporary times. The foul-play being conducted in order
to deliver justice is surely a reflection of what Shakespeare quoted in his
tragic drama. Likewise, Sting Operation is a method of doing justice to the
people of the country, by some established or anonymous vigilantes or
recognized media houses in order to reveal the masks of the people with power
and influence, who are running the country or, have been a part of the
governing bodies, who, eventually gave themselves up to vices like corruption,
human trafficking, adultery, sex racketeering, etc.
In these turbulent times, when people lost what used
to be a conscience, or morality, the questions raised behind the ethics of
running a sting operation, might be a bit too hypocritical. We are living in
times, where justice or truth is seldom heard of. Therefore, it is bewildering how,
ethical criticisms are being thrown at such operations that consequentially
delivers the truth. The questions that
are being raised against the ethics of journalism, are somewhat degrading the
mere purpose of journalism. Investigative journalism is all about finding out
the truth at any cost, therefore, it is somewhat inhibiting the very role of a
journalist. Article 19 (1a) of the Constitution upholds the freedom of speech
and expression, which is the very basis and purpose of Journalism. Yet, the reputation of journalism is put at
stake, every time the purpose is being fulfilled.
Every time a Sting Operation has been undertaken, a
singular motif has always been working behind it, and that is ‘to uphold the
truth’. For instances ,like, sting operations on ultra-sound centers, carried
out by the Karnataka Health Officers, resulted in the Pre-Natal Diagnostic
Techniques Act which bans sex determination of fetuses and consequent abortion to stop female feticide.
Another operation in which a journalist, posing as a struggling actress,
met actor Shakti Kapoor, who promised in
t he television footage that his secretary would introduce her, with other film directors, thus the issue of casting
couch being dealt with. Also, another successful consequence, is the operation
conducted by Tehelka, an online news portal, which caught up army officers and
politicians taking bribes from journalists posing as businessman.
From Sarada
to Narada, every Sting, revealed the failure of the system, that we are or have
been a part of. It revealed the inability and corrupted nature of a state
government, eventually which is a part of the system. May be, Sting Operation
isn’t entirely a true conduct of truth deliverance, but, in today’s time, what
is? A society, which does not hesitate to commit heinous crimes like
infanticide, feticide, rape, burglary, trafficking, murder and what not, the
only question that hangs at its head is, does this society deserves justice in
an absolute truthful way? To think of it, everybody is or has been deceitful or
did commit some crime, maybe not in the eyes of law, but definitely murdering
his/her ethics or conscience.
That is how the human race is being built, and it
is built to commit sins. Hence, when there are a few redeemers who want to help
this society to distinguish between right and wrong, why contradict their ways?
Why questioning their methods? Just because these journalists or media houses
or even government officers, thought out of the way to help this sinner
society, which is already tainted with innumerous sins?
This outrageous hypocrisy should immediately be ceased.
We should at least, try and let them do their duty which they have sworn for,
that is to serve justice, hence serving for the benefits of the society. Criticizing the ways of ‘deliverance’ seems
easy, then it is my advice to those is, please suggest or undertake a method
that is absolutely devoid of any foul-play at every stage of the procedure,
hence proving the criticisms worthy.
No comments:
Post a Comment