Caught in the cross-fire in the cash-for-votes scandal that rocked the trust motion in Parliament on July 22, Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief of CNN-IBN, has issued a statement on the channel’s purported role. Below is the full text:
“In the last week, there has been speculation over an alleged ‘sting’ operation conducted by CNN-IBN to expose allegations of bribery in the run-up to the trust vote in Parliament. Since the speculation is based on hearsay, conjecture and mere guess-work, we at CNN-IBN feel that it is necessary to set the record straight.
“As a journalist-driven organization, we value our credibility and independence above all else. We have always striven to raise the bar of journalism, to ensure that the highest standards and procedures are followed at all times.
“The ‘sting’ operation conducted by our investigation team was part of this commitment to ensure that the public interest is enhanced. Our team had begun the investigations at least a week before the trust vote [on July 22] and the ‘sting’ was to be part of a wide-ranging investigation across the political spectrum into allegations of horse trading.
“Moreover, the ‘sting’ operation we conducted was unique in that neither were we participants, nor were we engaging in ‘entrapment’ by offering cash, nor were we under a false identity. We were, as is accepted in practices in the international press, ‘flies on the wall’, simply recording an alleged bribery operation, without interfering in it at any stage.
“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.
“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. In the politically surcharged circumstances, we felt that the more appropriate step would be to provide the recordings we had made till date to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha as the appropriate constitutional authority.
“All the raw, unedited footage was placed before the Speaker within 24 hours of the parliament fracas. Not a single frame has been edited in any form. The Speaker has subsequently ordered an inquiry, which media reports suggest, is to be completed by the 11th of August.
“We will fully co-operate with the parliamentary panel and provide them all information available with us. At the same time, as we have informed the Speaker’s office, we reserve the right to telecast the story as and when we believe we are in a position to do so.
“As part of the process of due diligence, we also consulted several constitutional experts, including the country’s former solicitor-general and leading jurist Harish Salve. Mr Salve has strongly validated our editorial call in a written opinion.
“He writes, and I quote:
“‘I have reviewed the tapes as also a transcript created from the tapes. I would not like to describe in detail what I have seen, since the matter is pending investigation, but in my considered view the investigation was incomplete and therefore airing the tapes at this stage would necessarily involve arriving at some ‘inferences’. The investigation by the channel was not ready for telecast in the sense to be a cast iron story (which such stories should be), it did require some more enquiry into certain matters, which could have been done but was rendered impossible by the fact that on the afternoon of 22nd July itself, the three MPs raised this issue in parliament and then went on to make public the fact that this has been recorded by CNN-IBN. Obviously, after this fact became publicly known, all sources of information dried up’.
“Mr Salve adds:
“‘The question to be considered is should the channel air the tapes as they are, without suggesting inferences, so that the unnecessary gossip as to its contents (as well as the innuendo as to the motives in not telecasting the tapes) is quelled, or should the channel await the completion of the enquiry under way by the parliamentary panel set up the Hon’ble Speaker in response to a complaint received by him. In my view, the channel should await the results of the enquiry, atleast until a period of a fortnight or so is over… I believe that the Speaker has requested the panel to conclude its enquiry within a fortnight or so. If the report is received within the expected time, the matter would again be in the public domain and the channel can then review the situation and decide whether to telecast the tapes’.”
“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.”
Also read: Was CNN-IBN right in not airing Amar Singh sting?
>>should the channel await the completion of the enquiry under way by the parliamentary panel set up the Hon’ble Speaker in response to a complaint received by him
Since when Media started following dictats of Speaker? Was same rule followed in earlier cases when stings were done against MPs/MLAs?
This is anything but independent journalism.
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How many times has Rajdeep Sardesai taken the opinion of experts before telecasting the news worthy clippings?
Only winner is Harish Salve who represents Mukesh in Mumbai and Anil in Delhi.
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I don’t believe a word of what Rajdeep Sardesai says. Why does not he air the tape as is without any commentary?
I posted the following as a comment to another posting, but it is more appropriate here and so I am posting it again:
I don’t understand why BJP is not doing much to get CNN-IBN to air the tapes.
BJP should treat the matter as a breach of trust and boycott CNN-IBN. None of the BJP functionaries should give interviews or sound-bytes to CNN-IBN.
Then see what CNN-IBN does.
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Since the camera was hidden, is it possible that the whole scene of giving could have been stage managed? If this is the case it will be BJP which will be exposed. On the other hand if not was stage managed, Congress will be exposed. Either way we will be the losers since it shows the bankrupt value system of our democracy.
Since CNN-IBN could not be sure who actually was behind this act for the reason given above, is it possible that they did not air the tapes?
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I find what Rajdeep says entirely credible!
They have been rammed for airing conjectures in the case of Arushi. Coming so close back on Arushi case, I am sure he would want to be doubly sure before raking mud on others.
Besides, What was the deadly hurry on part of BJP to do a vulgar display of money in Parliament? It not only curtailed any further inquiries, it gave a bad impression of BJP, a party I have had a lot of respect and voted for till Vajpayee was its leader.
Today, it seems to reflect the uncouth behavior of LK Advani and his cohorts, where they see nothing wrong in scuttling anything (Nuclear deal, economic reform) for their narrow gains.
How I wish Atal was just 50 when he became PM. :-(
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Bhamy V. Shenoy : Hidden camera was used in all previous stings- Laxman, Tehelka, or recent Guj 2002 expose. Those questions did not arise. Remember how media hyped, NGOs went to top of the tree and shouted?
We can’t have two standards for a Sting depending on which political party is involved. Whole media’s credibility depends on whether Rajdeep makes it public or not.
Also, remember, BJP showed the money because CNN-IBN did not show the tape at 3:30 pm which they agreed in the first place (read Advani’s letter to Speaker).
And Rajdeep did say in his channel (when BJP MPs were showing money), we have the tape.
Whole event has cast a doubt not only on teflon coated credibility of MM Singh, but also eroded credibility of media in India.
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Rajdeep is bound to say all this. What a great guy? Dripping with sincerity and shit! Now Speaker Somanna will say, “After biewing the tapes, I phully endorse the poshishan of the eminent jurist Whorish Salway that these tapes contain no information of any value to the commoon man of the country; In my weighty opinion thish will lower the deegnity of the parliamento.”
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ayyO aNNa… idE wisdom bEre “stories”ge yaake apply aagalla? :(
maatige munche yEnEnO break maaDtane irtira!
Why do you need horses or their trading when you have journalists driving you to prosperity!
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how about sum-sumne uploading those videos online?
hEgidru nimge upayOga illa…
DP Satish, ee comments artha aadre, translate maaDi nim bossgaLige tiLisibiDi please.
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he is scared that the party he supported and fought for will try to get rid of him now!!
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Everyone who follows CNN-IBN’s Sardesai and Sagarika Ghose knows where their loyalties are. This is not at all a surprise. BJP ended up looking like fools for trusting CNN-IBN.
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Here is what I think happened,
CNN -IBN was commissioned by congress and co to capture BJP mps taking cash to vote for UPA. So that they could use the tapes at an appropriate time to embarass BJP. BJP found this out just in time and then beat Congress in raising the hullabulla. By this both Congress and CNN-IBN were caught off gaurd and what will happen now with all this enquiry is to absolve everyone involved and tell the nation that evidence involved and tapes are incocnclsive and nothing can be done now.
politicians at their best or is it my imagination?
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“We have always striven to raise the bar of journalism, to ensure that the highest standards and procedures are followed at all times.”
“Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions”
“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”
Nicely written.
If only CNN IBN followed this itself on all its stories.
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The real truth and facts will never come out. If it was any opposition party involved it would have been aired over a thousand times on all channels.
Was Rajdeep with NDTV before!! A sishya of Roy?
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“We have always striven to raise the bar of journalism, to ensure that the highest standards and procedures are followed at all times.”
Is this why for the past few days their Entertainment section at 8:30pm has been devoting full 10 minutes to an adventure show on another channel which happens to be owned by TV18, the owners of CNN-IBN? Independence, my foot.
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Agree completely with Thalaeharatae . CNN-LieBN was stunned to note BJP MP’s doing a googly on them. If BJP MP’s had not exposed it…or if Congress had lost the vote…it would have readily telecast them. And Ethical Journalism and Rajdeep ? Puhleese ! Does that dude know what ethical journalism is? I wont comment on his silly wife…Sagarika Ghose..she is so childish while interviewing people. If she watches some Youtube videos of Charlie Rose…she would be a better interviewer in 2 weeks….but then there is the desi arrogance. And when did Harish Salve become a reasonable man? Is is one crooked congress lapdog…paid to bark whenever some biscuit is thrown at it.
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Bull Shit!
Since when Rajdeepp has assumed the responsibility to ‘Investigate’? Is he CBI or RAW chief?
He is a ‘reporter’ and should report what he saw. PERIOD.
Simply telecast what is recorded on those tapes and let the Viewers, Law infer what they see and act accordingly. It is this simple Mr.
“Bharat Vibhushan” Rajdeep Sardesai SAR.
BTW, has a year completed since you were ‘rewarded’ with Baharat Vibhushan! :)
‘Sure we know where the loyalties lie’
PI.
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@ Thalaeharatae Says:
Your arguement is brillant and so believeable !
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Doddi Buddi …bery good bong mimicry…sakkat a le !
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@Dodda Buddi, @Thalaharate,
Brilliantly captured the situation.
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Speaker Somanna ?? Has our own Dive Somanna (Vijaynagar MLA)became a speaker
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>>“Bharat Vibhushan” Rajdeep Sardesai SAR.
Bharat Vibhushan or not, he is a deserving candidate for the Bharat Vidhushak award. :)
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If you believe Padmasri Rajdeep Sardesai, the role of journalists is whatever they decide it is. Note that this is not a privilege available to us ordinary mortals. Many professions have explicitly stated rules of engagement with the external world. Their codes of conduct are in fact a contract that bind them to a larger good of the citizens as a whole, not just the profession in question.
Now see what can potentially happen if “journalists” of the Rajdeep Sardesai variety decided what their role in the society is without regard to the views of the society in the matter. They can declare that using sexworkers to get a sting story, as Tehelka did, is within the purview of the role of the journalist. They can also declare, as Sardesai just did, that NOT putting in the public domain important evidence that points to subversion of democracy is also within that role.
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if this was a straw poll, the results are like 21 to 2 against cnn-ibn. Of the other two, one stretches credulity beyond limits – “Since the camera was hidden, is it possible that the whole scene of giving could have been stage managed?” And another links aarushi case, love for vajpayee etc. If the angels at ibn were oh-so-touchy about raking mud after the aarushi case, why did they agree to do a sting here in the first place?
i will wait to see another post screaming how bjp is trampling and killing media freedom.
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Now BJP boycotts CNN-IBN..
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Somanna is after some thing bigger.
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yes…BJP boycotts CNN-IBN..can find this only on the bjp website..
Is this displayed in the IBN website?..no..
on ndtv? on times?..on rediff?? .. no..
When modi walked out of Thapar’s show, it became an instant national controversy thanks to lopsided media..
It is high time that people do realize the true colors of these english media, that they r totally partial..
Now, i can watch CNN-IBN as a comedy channel!!! with sagarika ghost interviewing only the congress goondas and sickulars.. hehehehe..
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@ Chet Says:
Looks like BJP has read your comments here..the Party has decided to boycott IBN and will not appear on its shows until IBN agrees to telecast unedited footage..
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CNN-IBN has been exposed as a Congress mouthspeak and now Padamshri Rajdeep Sardesai is showing his loyalty to the UPA chairperson. The socalled journalism have been paid in advance for the adventure
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I really appreciate BJP for boycotting the CNN IBN.
It’s not a news channel, it’s just entertainment channel for this channel remote control is at 10 janpath.
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THE QUESTION IS WHY BJP WENT FOR CNN-IBN IN THE FIRST PLACE ?
DID BJP hoped that CNN IBN air the tapes & sensationalise the issue ? and CNN-IBN BACKTRACKED !
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Harish Salve is the son of well known Congress Politician NKP Save. CNN-IBN seems to be taking his expert advice in the release of tapes.
This explains the Congress Connection for CNN-IBN.
CNN WorldWide is the parent company of CNN-IBN. CNN WorldWide represents American Interests with respect to the Nuclear Deal. Rajdeep and Sagharika Ghouse are small fries in the entire scheme of thing. Either they are tipped with an life time income for their next few generations or have been told to shut their motor mouth.
This is a bigger conspiracy in Indian Media Circles since Independence. English Media which represents Track 2 version of Pseudo Securlarism is operating over time to ensure black out of the tapes.
They justify it by calling these Journalistic ethics. Websters the American dictionary can pick this up and include this as Chamchagiri.
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SmallTalkSon,
An excellent observation! As you correctly noted it is “Hagalkayige Beevinakai sakshi” :)
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