Watch out media

The three pillars of democracy - the executive, legislature and judiciary - all have distinct, if complementary roles. The media is often called the fourth estate and it stands apart as a sort of watchdog to ensure that the other three function as they are supposed to.
When the media assumes the role of any of the other three, the separation of powers principle gets blurred.

Just such a complicated situation has arisen with the 'sting' operation launched by a website and a television channel which have allegedly captured 11 members of Parliament in the act of accepting cash to ask questions in the House. The media, eschewing its normal role of observer, critic and investigator has become player, policeman and judge.

No one can possibly defend those who took the bribes. The action of parties like the BJP and the Congress which immediately suspended those caught on camera is commendable. Similarly, the Lok Sabha speaker's decision not to allow them to attend the House pending an inquiry is in keeping with the principles of parliamentary democracy.

But several questions arise from this episode. One, it is troubling that the reporters of the website approached these MPs under false pretenses, by posing as representatives of an industry association. Why this subterfuge? Two, there was clearly entrapment involved, which in many countries is illegal.

Finally, the all important question: to what end was this exercise conducted? An explanation advanced by the perpetrators of the sting operation is that this was done in 'the larger public interest'.

A more cynical view would be that such operations help increase television viewership in a highly competitive media environment. Whatever the truth, there is little doubt that the modus operandi  raises uncomfortable issues of media behaviour.

Once again, to raise these questions is not to dismiss the indefensible conduct of the trapped parliamentarians; it is only to debate the state of separation of powers in this democracy and that of media ethics.

There is an impression that the media - print and television - in a no holds barred attempt to garner more readers and viewers, are ready to lower standards and reach out to low common denominators.

Such unorthodox operations tend to confirm that view. Media organisations in India must watch out for the dangers - to the profession and to democracy - of such an anything-goes approach to capturing market shares.