“Indians have the rare genius to turn everything into an item of trade. Who else has turned God into such profitable commerce? We discovered early that this line of business required the least investment. And the returns are huge,” a churumuri columnist wrote recently.
Tehelka magazine’s sting operation on the soldiers of fortune of the Sri Rama Sene—in conjunction with the television station Headlines Today—in which Pramod Mutalik‘s pink cheddis do not quite smell of roses, underlines the point eloquently. Nothing, it seems, comes free in a market economy; not even a nice little riot.
Or, perhaps, even a pub attack?
Tehelka: I’ll take leave sir, what I want is to gain popularity and if I get popularity my business will improve. If you say then I…just tell me a time limit… these many boys will be there…this much for advo…meaning that of lawyers…we will not even complain… because that is our understanding… but sir, it is that whatever you say that amount of advance I will leave with you, then I say to you that now it has all come to you, and sir now do the job…
Pramod Mutalik: Can do it in Mangalore, Bangalore…
Tehelka: I can get more popularity in the Shivaji Nagar area of Bangalore… because that whole area is theirs…the Muslims. If you give one statement in the press and 10 of your workers reach there…we will shut it down…what is it to us? But at least we will get popularity.
Pramod Mutalik: Yes, that can be done…
Tehelka: So sir, just tell me straight up…or tell me to come after two or four days…. tell me for certain that ‘This is my expense… you do this much…’ so sir, I’ll complete it and plan it all out…
Pramod Mutalik: What I’m telling you, our president there…
Tehelka: …of Bangalore?
Pramod Mutalik: Of Bangalore…he is also very strong…on speaking to him…all three of us—you, me and him—will sit and plan out what is to be done…then we will do it…definitely do it.”
Cartoon: courtesy Prasad Radhakrishnan/ Mail Today
Read the full story: Rent a riot: cash for chaos
***
Also read: How girls pissing in their pants protect Hinduism
How Karnataka is becoming the Gujarat of the south
Who funded the riots to remove Veerendra Patil as CM?
The protection offered to Pramod Mutalik is a classic example of how BJP has lost its way completely.
Coming as it does from the mindset of defending acts of criminality like Ayodhya demolition, it tried to conveniently convert the discussion of Mob vandalism in Mangalore pub to that of Pub culture among youth.
It withdrew many cases against Mutalik silently. Even now they keep harping “If there is evidence, and a complaint we’ll take action” – which typically is filing of a FIR, which is followed up by either by a B-Report or a withdrawal of the case!!
How different is this than Congress, who bury the cases against Qutrocchi or Mayawati/Lalu (now)??
Just because they are bigger names, doesn’t make it any different! BJP has moral standing to criticize Congress of Corruption or appeasement.
Who is correct and has been in the right path in India??
Gandhi!
Subash Chandra Bose!
Anti Brahmin Movement!
Muslim fundamentalists!
Ramasena!
Nobody expects better from Muthalik’s boorish rogues, but Tehelka disappoints me.
As is a habit with Tehelka, its reporters misrepresented identities, committed fraud, and cheated sources in order to pursue this story too. That’s not only unethical, in most civilized societies such as the United States, it is illegal.
Tehelka, whose self-righteous editor loves to quote Gandhi (of all hues), has pulled journalism to a new low.
*Harkol”
Sir, the expose is of Muthalik’s renegade group, not of the BJP — which was a legit (if unpopular) political party the last time I checked!
Isn’t amazing these “un-ethecal” journos, they are bringout what everyone knows. These RSS affiliated gangs were organizing “riots” (in simple terms, massacre of isolated Muslims) all over country.
But then again, down with tehlka for organising “un-ethical, immoral stings. How good it wold be, when ever riots, blast goes of , we all would know from sources, the trained mujahids, fingerprint, the conspiracy hatched down to the timing from praveen swami and his ilk.
The protection offered to Pramod Mutalik is a classic example of how BJP has lost its way completely.
What do you expect from BJP, another hydra head from the same fountain –RSS.
‘We’ shall do the following to get rid of this lump in the throat
1.List all congress,communist,JD affiliated rowdy organisations and their deeds to prove we are not deferent if not better
2.Dismiss telhela as a congress run media.
3.Dismiss this report as despicable journalism
4.And of course treat this as a pseudo secularist conspiracy.
>in most civilized societies such as the United States, it is illegal.
It isn’t! It’s a Myth that it is illegal.
This kind of case would be called entrapment, where the crime proposed to be committed in reality wouldn’t have happened unless provoked or suggested by the person doing the Sting operation. Any evidence collected thus can’t be used against the suspect in a court case, unless the crime itself was not incited by agent provocateur.
But, collecting evidence under false pretense is not ‘illegal’ even in USA. In fact, it is an accepted form of investigation – Both by police and press. In fact, Press can publish any material they come across as long as they have cross verified its veracity.
In India, we don’t have entrapment protection, so even a hypothetical crime can still be considered a conspiracy, unless otherwise proven.
And what do you have our Press do? Just keep publishing the lies Police/Politicians feed them? How are they supposed to catch charlatans like Nityananda, Mutalik?
>which was a legit (if unpopular) political party the last time I checked!
So, is congress. It doesn’t mean its activity of covering for criminal is a ‘legit’ activity.
My grouse with BJP is that – it trys to cover up the criminal acts of Hindutva brigade.. Like in case of wrong doings in Ramachandra Mutt… And in cases involving SRS, Bajarang Dal, ABVP etc. It has done so repeatedly and in many states. What about Prof. Sabharwal murder?
Same is the case with respect to DMK, which covered up murders done on orders of Alagiri a few years back. Even that party is legit!!
Funny thing about the Ram Sene controversy was that the original chaddis protested loudly that the the fake chaddis were being paid by Congress to smear their ISI marked chaddi brand.
At the same time all types of original chaddis were whining loudly about how pub culture was destroying Indian Kalchar and the girls deserved it!
Agree with Mysore Peshavan. Tehelka is desperate and it always resorts to underhand tricks. But it is amazing to see the restraint exhibited by the bearded fraud Tejpal that unerringly his ‘undercover’ journos target only the opposition when there is so much rich material waiting to be unearthed among the UPA and its constituents! IMHO Outlook does a fairly better job in being somewhat evenhanded.
The post contains an ad below “How to convert to Islam”, though the link does not work!!
You needed a sting operation to find this out?
Why Ram Sena, all the grass root level workers of Bajrang Dal, and all the political parties like Congress, BJP, JD(S) are rowdies.
Most people in RSS , VHP are also rowdies. But, I know few educated people too in them. But, they are slightly misguided I guess.
Churumuri is anti-Hindu since it is publishing cartoons of Hindu gods. Whether blogger got any (least 0.001%) guts to publish cartoons of gods/people of Muslim or Christian community? Hindus are being tested by left-media/anti-hindu/congress people in India for their tolerance. Congress destroyed India for years now with their anti-hindu policies and also because of Congress India has to lose half of Kashmir to Pakistan. And because of Congress muslim population is multiplying every day in India. Nehru is a big crook,maniac and used to do only romance with british ladies. God bless India.
Mutalik must be shot dead in public for his heineous crimes against humanity.
the chaddi gang is no better than the Congress. Both are leaves of the same tree.
Harkol, “protection offered to Muthalik”. Dear Sir, Muthalik men beat up few persons and he is offered protection. Kasab killed hundreds and he is also offered protection (worth Rs 30-35 crores as per the news).
Agree with MP and DB about Tehelka.
Sri Rama Sene guys are such bad losers. Dragging women out of pubs and beating them is “terrorizing” according to them? It is called heDitana. It is simply none of their “business” what people do in their lives.
If they really want to terrorize people, they should learn from SIMI / LeT / Taliban etc etc etc etc.
How about a similar sting operation on Arundhati Roy, Medha Patkar and their ilk or whenever our Devu has a ‘NICE’ craving? Lets call it rent-an-agitation.
BTW according to the media Muthalik was charging Rs 50-60 lks. Assuming similar amounts for the pub drama, who paid that much for it? Assuming atleast 1:10 returns, some people were expecting 5cr business from that… wow. Or was the pub drama just an advertisment for their business?
Tehelka Rent-A-Riot Sting: The Full Story (All the links concerning the investigation):
1. The report http://www.tehelka.com/story_main44.asp?filename=Ne220510coverstory.asp
2. Shoma Chaudhury talks about the investigation on camera
3. Sting footage 1: Pramod Muthalik http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH0bEHtXayc & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR-ZnlEs8Io
4. Sting footage 2: Prasad Attavar http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iKZvTj9hZE
5. Sting footage 3: Vasantkumar Bhavani http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5hO5p9Zr3s
6. IndiaReacts: What some of India’s finest minds and hearts have to say http://www.tehelka.com/channels/impact/page.asp
(from their facebook page, http://www.facebook.com/Tehelka)
Somebody:
>Kasab killed hundreds and he is also offered protection
What were you trying to say? It is ok to protect one set of criminals because another set is being protected by another party? What kinda logic is that?
Kasab has been awarded death sentence by a due process of law. When I say BJP protecting Mutalik, I wasn’t talking of Mutalik being given protection against bodily harm. By all means let him be provided that till a court convicts him.
Every country with rule of law, will have to do the same for a prisoner of like Kasab, who is not only the major suspect, but also the most valued witness of the conspiracy to wage war against India, thus can be killed by terrorists who have so much to loose from what Kasab has to say.
My grouse is with BJP systematically undermining and closing the cases against Hindutva brigade (including Mutalik). What BJP does for these terror groups in a way gives a handle to Pakistan to justify its support to terror groups in their country. i.e. offer protection against any meaningful legal prosecution.
BJP’s national president went hammer and tongs Against Hemant Karkare when he arrested Pragya and Purohit on terror attacks. They also do their utmost to discredit and attack people who are against hindutva forces. Consider the following:
Thugs attack churches – BJP goes all out in all TV channels questioning practice of Proselytism. Thugs attack Pubs – Start attacking Pub Culture. Thugs attack people on valentines day – Start attacking Moral decay in the Indian Youth (actually girls). Thugs attack a Hindu Girl & Muslim Boy – Scream about conversion of girls through Inter-faith marriages.
Prof. Sabarwal was murdered by ABVP thugs – CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan met accused Vimal Tomar at the hospital soon after Sabharwal’s killing. He doesn’t even meet the Victims family once. He gives a clean chit to ABVP, and calls the ‘death’ as a ‘incident’ not a murder. He entrusts the case to CID, which compiles the case in such a way that it doesn’t stand in court. This is what I call “PROTECTION”.
Basically, avoid the just punishment by subverting the process. Let the thugs be a law on to themselves or to be above the law of the land.
Congress does the same – But not as blatantly as BJP.
**
KH:
>Arundhati Roy, Medha Patkar
These ladies never broke the law of the land. What ever they had to do they do using their freedom of Speech and Expression. Even if they were paid to do so – It doesn’t violate law – Like in case of rioting.
At best they can be called Lobbyists for certain interests – which isn’t illegal.
**
>Dragging women out of pubs and beating them is “terrorizing” according to them? It is called heDitana.
You mean what LeT does is not ‘heDitana’??
Any act of violence, meant to send a larger chilling message to others is an act of terrorism. Like Following acts:
– Sajjan Kumar/HKL Bhagat going on the streets asking Sikhs to be punished.
– Alagiri’s men attacking the press and setting it on fire because they dared to publish an article that he didn’t like.
– SRS attacking girls in Mangalore Pub.
– Shivsena/MNS attacking various places
Terrorism is not only when Guns/Bombs are involved.
**
Uday Shetty:
>Whether blogger got any (least 0.001%) guts to publish cartoons of gods/people of Muslim or Christian community?
In US they make fun of Jesus in many ways (So many movies, cartoons etc), because Christians are in Majority and a Christian making fun of his own god won’t be as bad as someone else doing so. Same is the case in India – a liberal society, which can laugh at itself and its gods.
However, I don’t understand why the ‘blogger’ has to prove his ‘guts’. I feel churumuri doesn’t owe it to anyone to be balanced or fair. It publishes what it thinks is interesting and may be of relevance.
If someone doesn’t like it – they can stop reading it – or say it is in bad taste. But, asking for display of ‘guts’ by having an equally bad taste cartoon against another religion is rather strange.
**
Complex:
>But, I know few educated people too in them. But, they are slightly misguided I guess.
He he he…
Having rowdys in parties is bad enough, but converting the party itself to a systematic, organized crime racket??
SRK followed the same methods of the tehelka journo to promote his movie and executed it quite well. Oh but I guess he was just doing business.
If such hypothetical events warrant a police case, the real culprits should be behind bars no ??
*Harkol*
Re: “It isn’t! It’s a Myth that it is illegal.”
You are incorrect, sir. The law affects newsgathering in the United States is well-developed. It is as follows:
• Police and other authorities cannot give reporters the right to accompany them on search-and-seizure raids into private property (Wilson v. Layne, 1999, and Hanlon v. Berger, 1999).
• Reporters may not use ambush interviews, shotgun microphones, bugs, etc.
–Wolfson v. Lewis (1996)
• Newspapers may not indulge in fraud by giving false identities in order to gain access to a private premises Food Lion v. ABC News (1999).
• Reporters may not misrepresent by breaking promises to subjects of stories; Reporters may use new materials they uncover during an investigation as part of the story even if it breaks a promise made to a source earlier (Veilleux v. NBC cases, 1998 and 2000)
• Reporters must obey lawful orders from police and fire officials at the scene of disasters. Failure to do so can result in arrest and conviction for disorderly conduct (Lashinsky case, 1979).
• Reporters may not assert any journalistic privilege when asked to testify by a grand jury (or trial jury); none being above the law, journalists are not immune from prosecution for pursuing a story illegally (Branzburg v. Hayeys, 1972)
• You are right in that it is illegal (or government agencies, not reporters) to “entrap” (inducing a subject to commit a crime not contemplated by him for the purpose of prosecuting after he committed the illegal act) (Jacobson v. United States, 1992). The way Tehelka snagged Muthalika’s gang may well be defined as unacceptable entrapment due the gross fraud committed by the reporters; as a result Muthalk’s gang may go free in court.
Sir, all who are hailing Tehelka for this expose are missing the woods for the tree. We all must realize that short-cuts, fraud, misrepresentation, cheating, etc. are not necessary for good journalism. In fact, they hinder good reporting in the long run.
Even during America’s transformative muckraking years of the early-20th century, journalistic exposes of politician-corporation nexus – penned by progressive legends such as Ida Tarbell, Upton Sinclair, Lincoln Steffens, etc. — did not condone newsgathering fraud of the type that Tehelka’s has self-admittedly committed.
Fraud in newsgathering is not only an unprofessional practice, but also a source of high corruption in India’s journalism. In civilized societies such as the United States, such fraudulent conduct during newsgathering is illegal.
On the one hand, we protect and nourish criminals and rowdies like Muthalik who are eating away at the foundations of our society.
On the other hand, we treat poor and oppressed people who are fighting for their fundamental rights like enemies of the state and set the para-military and police on them.
Only god can help us.
http://science.slashdot.org/story/10/05/17/1541236/Software-Recognizes-Sarcastic-Tweets
A modified algo for blogs / comments would be awesome!
—
Poor and oppressed people who are friends of the state fighting for their rights have just today taken away from 40 innocent people, their right to live.
I would like to add its high time to do a sting operation on sting operations…
rent-a-sting :)
Tehelka is a failed brand in business,hence these sting/fake/unwanted/desperate/least important operations.i would prefer a constructive effort in Dantewada region by so called hyper jurnos..
Muthalik is a rowdy and should be treated like an anti-social element. Anybody who does’nt respect the law of the land should be dealt strictly.
I think it is a closed chapter and we should move forward now.
Peshva:
All the laws you have sighted do not govern prohibit expose journalism. They inhibit/regulate them somewhat. However, All investigative journalism in a way is invasion of privacy, with or without hidden camera. And courts have long recognized this fact, and have allowed a huge leeway to Press in US, under the First Amendment rights.
Hidden Camera Exposes are constantly used Law enforcement officials. Here is an instance of Sting that happened recently: (http://legaltimes.typepad.com/blt/2010/01/doj-undercover-sting-nets-22-arrests-in-large-scale-fcpa-case.html)
TV channels too use Exposes all the time. Here is one that happened recently in US: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ACORN_2009_undercover_videos_controversy
It is also called “Gotcha” journalism in USA and is perfectly legal: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gotcha_journalism
**
Peshva:
Another thing about Investigative Journalism. By nature it is meant to violate someone’s privacy. People will keep their frauds and other such activities very private won’t they?
US laws of defamation demand that the newspapers need to have proof of any reportage they do, otherwise they’ll be libel. And a hidden camera recording is acceptable proof that their story was well founded.
So, a TV channel can’t simply run a story saying – SRS indulges in Paid Riots. It has to produce proof.. How does it do that?
*harkol*
1. as far as law enforcement goes, courts would admit only evidence that was created legally. evidence from a “hidden camera exposes” may only be used if they the expose was not ruled to be entrapment, a pitfall that applies to law enforcement but not to journalists.
2. as far as journalists go, hidden camera exposes are only legal if they are conducted in places where individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. there’s ample case law (which i can cite, should you ask me to).
3. “gotcha journalism” is legal only when conducted where individuals do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. regardless, it is widely regarded as unethical and supermarket-tabloidy — it ruins the credibility of news organizations. you will not find CNN or CBS or ABC or the New York Times or the Washington Post or any mainstream news organization using gotcha journalism.
the “leeway” for the press that you mention is only in libel of public figures (New York Times v. Sullivan, 1964, and its progeny), and in reporting private information lawfully gathered from public documents (Cox v. Cohn, 1975). it does not apply to “gotcha journalism” or to the sort of methods that tehelka uses — but then, tehelka would be bound by indian laws, not american!
sigh! there is no difference between LET and BJP…. with BJP its either sex tainted ministers and chief minister or stage managed riots to safe guard themselves.
Peshva:
> regarded as unethical and supermarket-tabloidy
I agree that the Sting methods are not ethical at all. But, there goes the boundary of acceptable behavior.
In US, ethical behavior is easier than in India, because most people work within a system (Formal or Informal).
In India, we need to work the system, system doesn’t work. Whether it is in lane discipline, jumping red lights or in getting a construction license or a electricity connection to your home.
I don’t know a single completely ‘ethical’ person in India. For, knowingly or unknowingly we are forced to be unethical or bend the rules.
I don’t know if you read my comments regarding the Nityananda expose. I believe the channels were within their ethical perimeter in exposing him as that was in ‘public interest’. But, they should’ve made sure Ranjini wasn’t exposed (her face/identity shouldn’t have been made public). I was against that because – Maligning her serves no purpose.
Even in US, the courts accept any and every investigative journalism which has a reasonable grounds of uncovering an illegal or against public interest activity – as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone who is innocent.
>reasonable expectation of privacy
As I said, Reasonable expectation of privacy only extends to totally personal space like bathroom/bedroom etc. Not a party office as in case of Tehelka – which is a public space.
But, as far as My info. goes, US broadcasters enjoy a very large degree of independence in carrying out even Gotcha Journalism, as long as they don’t put a camera in your bedroom (Nityananda case).
But, then in Nityananda case the tv channels didn’t put the camera.
Who paid whom and when ?
When the Goons were beating up girls the TV cameras were ready and rolling. The Journalists and so called voice and face of the public didn’t want the police to arrive sooner than they do in our movies.
Coincidentally Muttalik was sharing the dais with a CM in Delhi.
So, the question is who paid whom and when ?
CurryHurry:
>The Journalists and so called voice and face of the public didn’t want the police to arrive sooner than they do in our movies.
Apparently Kasturi channel was present 15minutes before the attack. From what I heard they were told there would be a protest (not attack).
>So, the question is who paid whom and when ?
All we know as of now, without doubt, is – Mutalik is a mercenary. It was suspected even at the time of Pub Attack that it was done at the instance of Ravi Pujari (Gangster), as part of professional rivalry.
Channels don’t have to be paid – Their rewards are the ‘story’.
Karihaida:
>high time to do a sting operation on sting operations…
In Pakistan, Daily times just did that!!
It exposed Hamid Mir, the most respected journalist and head of GEO TV. He was a frequent participate in Indian TV channels (especially TimesNow). This guy was recorded talking to Taliban and helping them with Info. Against an ISI operative, who got killed later.
He belongs to Jang Media Group, which is spearheading the “Aman ki asha” along with our own Times of India. Wonder what dirty secrets would come out if our journalists are to be stinged similarly!!
*harkol*
Your opinion is interesting, but it’s based on neither law nor historical facts.
You write, “Reasonable expectation of privacy only extends to totally personal space like bathroom/bedroom etc. Not a party office as in case of Tehelka – which is a public space.”
My response: That’s simply incorrect, sir. Any place, including an enclosed office such as Sri Rama Sene’s, can legally offer a reasonable expectation of privacy. To be legally “public,” a venue would have to be owned, at least partially, by the taxpayer, and even then it is any “sunshine” laws of access that override the laws of privacy. If such sunshine laws don’t exist, then the laws of privacy protect even those enclosed offices. Again, I can cite case law regarding this, if you ask me to.
You write: “I don’t know a single completely ‘ethical’ person in India.”
My response: This is your perception, but I happen to concur. It is not supported by any empirical evidence.
You write, “I don’t know if you read my comments regarding the Nityananda expose…”
My response: Yes, I did, sir. You call the anti-Nithyananda coverage as “public interest” journalism. I think your bar on what constitutes the “public interest” seems to be rather low. Please note that an “expose” occurs only when the story is broadcast for the first time on any channel. After that, it is neither an expose, nor really in the public interest — it is in only in the channel’s interest!
I am appalled that you found the 24×7 streaming of semi-porn during exam times with neither an original investigation by reporters, nor interviews of “the other side,” nor any intelligent discussion of the sting itself, and with bombastic music in the background and loud verbose commentary by half-educated anchors, to be “public interest” journalism?
That’s the sort of broadcast that gives Indian journalists a bad name, because it’s not journalism. It is a very cheap sort of entertainment and an abuse of one’s job as a journalist — as well as an abuse of the taxpayer-owned electromagnetic spectrum that the broadcasters are using on license from a legitimate government. It is terrible!
I agree with you that Lenin Karuppan or whoever did the “expose” (the original recording/publication) was liable for the invasion of privacy, and not the channels who merely republished the material. But I am surprised anyone of any education or refinement would not feel queasy about how the channels conducted themselves in that affair, regardless of Nithyananda’s own conduct.
If your only problem with the coverage was that the channels showed Ranjitha’s face, then I think you missed the woods for the tree. Sir, you need to raise your expectations a little!
Harkol sir, in yet another post, I read your vehement opinion in favor of “proportional representation for all castes.” Once again, your argument is simplistic and almost childish. Of course proportional representation is desirable — it is an ethical thing that can also inform the stability of a government. But it is not part of democratic theory. None of the theorists of democracy — not even Robert Dahl, the world’s foremost — has found proportional representation to override, in any relatively successful democracy, election/appointment of capable individuals who can get a job done as per the people’s will.
Even if one mandates proportional representation, where does one stop? With caste? Why not religion? Why not affluence? Why not IQ level? Why not “aggravating” factors of childhood? Physical disability? Dressing sense? Favorite cuisine? It’s endless. It is highly impractical without any proportional substantive benefit (as per democratic theory); especially so in a crazily diverse society like India’s. Instead, what we need in India is to have a priority not of any of the above variables of caste/creed, but to pick our brightest and most empathetic — that’s the best, and really the only, way to meet the needs of the Indian people.
Sir, I am sure you can offer better-informed perceptions than to reflect Jinnah’s partisan opinion from the 1930s!
Peshwa:
>Again, I can cite case law regarding this
Totally unnecessary, because case laws are not absolute. If as a private citizen I put a camera in your house/office for the purpose of breaking your privacy, the courts would rule in your favor.
But, If I am a Journalist with fiduciary duty to bring to light any wrong doing I suspect, and I put a camera in your office and only out such details which show you are violating public trust, law – Then I am doing what is required of the system. Not breaching any trust.
Privacy is not an absolute. The only absolute privacy is one of your personal space (irrespective of what ever wrongdoing you may have committed).
You call the anti-Nithyananda coverage as “public interest” journalism.
It is. If Nithyananda runs a public institution, taking donations from Public, preaching to public by claiming to be a ‘guru’ – he is a public figure, just as Mutalik is. Any information regarding his conduct is of Public interest.
I am not justifying putting a camera in his bedroom or repeated running of the clips and commentary about his clips with music etc. But, There is reason for them to out him, when they know he is breaking public trust in his own teachings.
>enclosed office such as Sri Rama Sene’s, can legally offer a reasonable expectation of privacy.
This again is wrong interpretation of concept of privacy.
In His office, Mutalik spoke to a second party. That party recorded the conversation and published it. The moment Mutalik spoke to second party,without a Non-Disclosure agreement and second party isn’t his doctor or a lawyer (where there is an expectation of confidentiality), if the second party chooses to make the conversation public (with proof) it isn’t breach of privacy/confidentiality.
If I conspire with you to murder someone, and you publish that fact, you aren’t violating my privacy…
>This is your perception
It is not perception and It is supported by empirical evidence! Of a few dozen people I happen to know (not just met or said Hello/bye), I really don’t know a completely ethical person (including myself).
I have switched lanes and have parked in no-parking zones on sundays. Have bribed officials at times to make things happen. And I can’t think of any person who has been completely ethical (including my kids, who are too young to understand ethical implications any way).
>who merely republished the material
You are right here. Channels had a duty to publish the material they came across in public interest. But, the person who placed a camera in the bedroom of Nityananda, actually broke the law.. I don’t have any doubts about that.
But, when a channel/paper knows a godman to be a fraud, it should publish, without titillating or sensationalizing.
I read your vehement opinion in favor of “proportional representation for all castes.”
Again, you have misread or read something out of context. Please read my posts again… I haven’t favored Proportional representation at all! In fact, I don’t like any kind of reservations.
I was saying, the folks who support reservation, and want caste census might as well start asking proportional representation.. I wasn’t favoring it, in fact, I have commented elsewhere that India and Pakistan separated because our founding fathers rightly rejected the idea of proportional representation proposed by Jinnah, as a condition not to partition India.
This is in historic record – Check Jinnah’s Presidential Address at the 29th Annual Session of the All India Muslim League, Allahabad, April 4, 1942.
Jinnah’s proposal would’ve internally divided India very badly. I fear, our politicians will end up doing precisely what our founding fathers rejected…
*harkol*
your opinions seem to be intuitive; none of them is credible. you seem to be very inadequately informed about the law, and yet you are confidently spewing opinions!
anyway, thanks for discussing the topic with me. all the best.
Peshwa sir:
>you seem to be very inadequately informed about the law
I am not a lawyer, so obviously I am ‘inadequately’ informed of law.
But, my sense tells me that if channels are using sting cameras and publishing the material so gathered in US, and if CNN’s policy for sting states that it can be done with the approval of the management, it can’t be illegal and privacy laws are not absolute.