‘Bid to divide media fraternity’: Viral list spooks journalists in Bhopal

A widely circulated list, accusing more than 150 journalists of corruption, has unnerved the media fraternity in Bhopal. The crime branch is probing the source of the list, but the FIR that was lodged this week appears to be unprecedented in a state where such lists are not rare.

During the 2018 assembly polls, a similar list had gone viral on social media, with names of prominent journalists from English and Hindi media outlets, and unsubstantiated allegations about cars being handed out as gifts. Amid the Lok Sabha poll campaign this year, another list had accused media persons of receiving undue benefits.

Amid the latest controversy, a case was lodged against unidentified individuals under BNS sections 336(4) and 356(2) on Monday after a complaint by four journalists. “By spreading this fabricated fake list, an attempt is being made to tarnish the reputation and image” of journalists in the state, the complaint alleged.

The list was circulated on social media. The FIR mentioned that it was also featured by Bhadas4Media, a website that publishes scoops and gossip on the news industry. Bhadas4Media chief editor Yashwant Singh has been summoned by the police for questioning, but he said he is yet to receive the notice.

“The list is authentic and there are many things to prove it…This list is authentic because many journalists featured in the list and associated with big media houses have been sacked. I have confirmed reports of this,” he said. “I believe instead of focusing the investigation on determining the authenticity, its source,  and whose handwriting was there, summoning those who wrote about it is like shooting the messenger.”

Journalists who spoke to Newslaundry dismissed Singh’s claims and said they were not aware of anyone being fired for having been featured in such a list.

Rizwan Ahmed Siddiqui, who is among the complainants and is the founder of the Digiana Media Group, also wrote a response in another piece published on Bhadas4Media, saying that the complaint did not name anyone so as to give a chance to even “those who left no stone unturned” to tarnish the reputation of journalists to present their version. “They are not our enemies. Our objection is only to their action.”

“In my 36 years of journalism, I have never encouraged one-sided news. These are the ethics of journalism. No one should serve such material without credible evidence and facts. If it is extremely necessary, then at least the person whom you are writing about should be given an opportunity to present his side. But this was not taken care of here…so for the first time in my life I had to proceed with this unpleasant move against some of my colleagues. Benefit of doubt is the natural principle of justice, but in this case, people did not miss an opportunity to take advantage of doubtful material.”

‘Anyone can type and defame’

Mrigendra Singh, who runs a paper called Public Wani and is among the complainants, said it’s the first time an FIR has been filed over such a list. “The crime branch is investigating the matter and they will send notices to people and find out the source. Anyone can type a list and defame.”

Singh said the list indicated a page was missing, and claimed it was a conspiracy to “divide” the media fraternity by keeping the journalists who had been named guessing about the leanings of the source of it all.

A journalist with a national TV channel, who is also featured in the list, said the state’s public relations department maintains a list of journalists. “Take that list and keep some names and remove others and then add whatever you want. Now you leave people guessing.”

“What is the authenticity of this?...But it is enough to harm someone’s reputation,” said another journalist with a national media house.

Many journalists refused to speak on record, citing organisational compulsions. 

Rajesh Sirothia, who runs a newspaper named Dopahar Metro, said the “authenticity of the list can easily be understood from the fact that the name of the organisation against my name in the list is incorrect”. 

Sirothia claimed that the list was politically motivated.

Hours after the list was circulated, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Vivek Tankha tweeted that it was a “direct attack on the honour and prestige of the press”. “MP is strange and amazing. A four-page list of journalists of the state is viral. It is said that this is the list of monthly payments made by the transport department. Like the 1996 ‘hawala scandal’ list, it has all the names, big and small. I am not convinced about its authenticity. They say it is the result of BJP’s internal contradictions, it is the work of (CM) Mohan Yadav’s opponents. Its outcome is very dangerous. A direct attack on the respect and reputation of journalist brothers. People will be deeply hurt. The DGP and police department should take note of this and bring out the truth.”

Panchayat and rural development minister Prahlad Patel responded, “It is your and the Congress’s perspective that is mocking Madhya Pradesh and is intent on insulting journalists. It’s not right for the opposition to stoop so low.”

DCP Akhil Patel had earlier told The Indian Express, “The FIR was registered under sections (of forgery and defamation) of the BNS at the Crime Branch unit of Bhopal urban district on Monday. We will begin the investigation and question the people who made the list go viral.”

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