Investigative Journalism in India: Case studies of prominent Journalists

Abstract

Indian journalism took the investigative route with hesitant yet effective steps. The government and media organizations gave little importance to investigative journalism. It is only after the emergency that investigative journalism gained importance with the efforts of a few committed journalists. Several journalists such as Arun Shourie, challenged the might of the then government and thus had to pay a price. The socio-political conditions of the country helped in the growth of the Indian investigative journalism. Later, the work and effort of journalists institutionalized investigative journalism in India. The lives and times of these journalists can2 throw light on the development of this genre in India. The researcher would like to study the works of major investigative journalists and also the media history of the period in bringing out the unique contribution of the journalists. In the art ofstatecraft, ‘Arthshastra’ is one of the fundamental and historical books 3written by Chanakya. According to this ancient text, even the honesty of judges should be periodically tested by the agent provocateurs. Arthshastra can be called as the best example of investigative journalism in Indian history. It can be said that modern day sting used in investigative journalism derives same authority from the writings of Chanakya . After getting freedom from the British yoke our leaders promised us a free press. Even the tall promises regarding the freedom of expression and speech have been made in our Indian Constitution in Article 19. Paradoxically, Indian Constitution nowhere gives any independent provision regarding press. It is considered to be the part and parcel of Article 19 whereas American Constitution specifically provides a right to press. The historian Robin Jeffery has pointed that “the first amendment to the US constitution guaranteed freedom ofspeech and the press. The first amendment to the Indian constitution, passed in June 1951, curtailed those rights. It permitted governments to ban publication of material likely to disturb public order, incite people to commit a crime as harm relations with foreign powers”…..