Out of a desire to elicit more information from these sources, we are generally polite.” While gathering news, journalists talk to a wide variety of sources from all walks of life, especially when a fast-moving story is unfolding. This message was, essentially, that the Congress was communicating with the wrong people in the DMK. Ms Radia called several journalists, including me, to ask us to convey a message to any Congress leaders we met in the course of our work. The conversations recorded relate to the phase when there was an impasse between the DMK and the Congress. “Moreover, there is nothing at all in the transcripts to suggest that I lobbied for Mr Raja. To call this process "lobbying" is a serious and defamatory distortion of journalistic practices.” To caricature the professional sourcing of information as "lobbying" is not just baseless, but preposterous.Īt every stage effective journalism involves engagement with a multitude of characters in the process of gathering news and information. In the pursuit of news and information, journalists talk to an array of people from all professional backgrounds this case being an an unfolding political story on cabinet formation, after the general elections. “In response to the Open Magazine cover story dated 20th November, 2010 NDTV would like to object in the strongest terms to the clear misrepresentation of conversations between Barkha Dutt and Ms. I quote some of the parts of their defence. Radia- “So they will anyway speak to us, Naa.”Īfter these tapes have come in public, the NDTV on behalf of Barkha and Vir for himself have come in the open to defend themselves. PMO will send feedback to Congress Party.” Vir-“Actually Narayan anyway will talk to PM. Radia- “Because Baalu and Raja thing is spread by Maran.If Narayan was to come back tomorrow, let us look for Alaghiri, Baalu and Raja.” Vir-“That is not so bad unless Maran is one of the Cabinets.” Radia- “If they stick to 3 and Kani gets independent, then Alaghiri, Baalu and Raja come in.” Vir-“Basically what they want is a little bit more flexibility. Vir- “600 crores! It is hard to argue with that kind of pressure.” They have given 600 crore to Dayalu’s mother.” Radia-“It is coming from Stalin and his sisster Salvi. But he is still under great pressure from Maran.” There was a lot of relief from the Chief Minister’s side. He has clarified everything that you had told them. They talk about 4 formula and 1 independent. Similarly, some part of the Vir Shanghvi- Nira conversation goes like this. That’s not a problem, I’ll talk to Azad-I’ll talk to Azad right after I get out of RCR. RADIA: What she saying is that, you know, that someone senior like Ghulam (Nabi Azad, senior Congress leader) because he is the one who is authorised to speak. RADIA: They might have told some minion down the line or told Maran who is not relaying the truth.īARKHA: No, I’ll set it up as soon as they get out of RCR. So what has happened is, is that message not relayed to Karunanidhi? “RADIA: No, they wanted to they didn’t want any infrastructure, that’s what Prime Minister said, so he said that’s why they give him labour, fertiliser, chemical-and telecom, IT, they said for Raja. To quote a few parts of the conversations between Nira and Barkha. They are heard brining up some particular names who are believed to be very powerful in the political structure and telling Nira that they could do their best to help her out. These two people are heard assuring Nira to do the needful. She is heard requesting these legendary people to talk to influential people in the Center about getting a few particular members of that political party inducted in the Central ministry. In all these tapes, Nira is heard talking to these two journalists about the composition of the Central government ministry, particularly with reference to one political party from Tamil Nadu. Similarly at least one tape of conversation between Vir Sanghvi, the authoritative and moralistic Editor-in-chief of Hindustan Times and Nira has got leaked. Not one or two but five such tapes have come in public realm. The nation, already reeling under the spectrum scam, where an ex-minister is being openly accused of a massive misappropriation of public exchequer, has got a further jolt when it comes to hear these kinds of tapes where Barkha Dutt, the renowned, massively respected and recognized star-reporter of NDTV has been heard talking to Nira Radia on issues concerning formation of Ministry. The Barkha-Vir-Nira tapes have created a storm in the tea-cup.
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