Gen VK Singh takes a beating

Indian Media Watch.... Crooks and Liars in the Indian media are the greatest danger to our democracy. Bias, outright lies, paid news, plagiarism and political leanings characterize much of our media.
Poll - India's Worst Journalists - 2012
Arnab Goswami 302 (32%)
Ashutosh (IBN7) 181 (19%)
Barkha Dutt 705 (75%)
Karan Thapar 350 (37%)
Kumar Ketkar 268 (28%)
Nidhi Razdan 247 (26%)
Nikhil Wagle 237 (25%)
Rahul Kanwal 163 (17%)
Rajdeep Sardesai 436 (46%)
Sagarika Ghose 540 (57%)
Shekhar Gupta 419 (44%)
Shiv Aroor 142 (15%)
Sonia Singh 195 (20%)
Vinod Sharma 414 (44%)
Vir Sanghvi 333 (35%)

Massager or messenger?

Karan Thapar (2010 #4): Readers must remember that every journo looks tall in the studio but not in actual life. KT is not blessed with stature and the same goes for his journalism. One can say he has improved a bit but still retains the unwanted scowl and growl when interviewing people. Madhu Trehan in her NewsLaundry interview showed up KT for the little puppy he was. Like the ones who just need a hug and a cuddle once in a while. And if you thought you knew nothing about KT, never mind. All you have to do is hear his signature line on his promo for his show on CNN-IBN: “I don’t want to go into the facts, the facts are disputed”. LOL! Facts are disputed? You have to undo a lot of learning to understand that facts aren’t facts and can be disputed. The worst job KT did in 2011 was massaging Kapil Sibal’s brazen attempt at pre-screening content on the internet. As if that wasn’t enough he pulled out Brajesh Mishra, former NSA, out of nowhere to call serving army chief, Gen. VKSingh, the worst ever chief of army in history. My prediction: As long as he is in the business, KT will be on this list.
Wheres the smirk? Congress spokesman- Seperated by Birth

Vinod Sharma (New entry): For those who don’t know, Vinod Sharma is the political editor of Hindustan Times. That’s right, ‘Political’ is the key word – less of an editor and more of a politician. It’s not very hard to recognise VS on a friendly channel. He has made the ‘smirk’ more popular than child-molester DGP Rathore on television. Sharma has also been acknowledged by many political spokespersons and viewers as the most loyal spokesperson of the Congress party. No matter what the scam or what the scandal you can expect him to staunchly defend even the worst misdeeds of the Congress by blaming it on the opposition or anyone else he can lay his hands on. The one chance to get him off TV for longer periods was a Rajya Sabha ticket, when Shobana Bhartiya, his boss at HT exited, but that unfortunately didn’t happen. So we’re going to be stuck with VS for quite a while. His best moment in recent times was during the debate over Gen. VK Singh and the Tatra trucks scam. He was angry that the debate was going one way (in favour of Gen. Singh) so had to somehow twist it against the tide. In his business time VS writes a blog titled ‘Separated at birth’. I guess that refers to some Pakistani connection or maybe his journalistic independence was separated at birth. Someday we’ll find out.
He's no Egghead

Shekhar Gupta (2010 #10): When he appeared on the last list, a fan of Gupta wrote in stating he will email my post to SG for his response. I was wondering whether that fan objected to SG being at #10 and wanted him to be lower on the list. I guess that fan’s prayers are answered. SG has sunk further in the rankings and his Indian Express is almost on doles from the govt. His senseless programme ‘Walk the talk’ , the equivalent of ‘Koffee with Karan’ or ‘On the couch with Koel’, continues on NDTV but what sunk SG the most is his misadventure with an article on Army troop movements. In his quest to please SG’s UPA, this SG splashed a headline in IE that nearly implied the army, led by Gen.VK Singh, may have dreamt of a coup. Worse, there have been reports that the troop movement story was stale and SG’s version was actually a plant by a union minister. SG laid an egg alright but ended up with more on his face. He will forever be credited with reducing a fiercely independent newspaper like IE to a mouthpiece of a political party. His permanent place on this list is forever assured.
Nidhi captures the Larger Picture- Left Right and Centre- Marching Up

Nidhi Razdan, NDTV (New entry): She has come to prominence more for many reasons other than journalistic skills. ‘Left, right, centre’ is her signature programme and happens to be one of those mindless debates on every topic under the sun. She is proof that you can be an expert on everything with specialisation in nothing. The best part of Nidhi? Now, don’t get me wrong, she likes everything large. Whenever confounded by a brilliant argument or point by a panellist she quickly jumps to her favourite line “let’s look at the LARGER picture”. One would have thought that debates are meant to look at the finer small details. No, not with Nidhi, the larger picture is a convenient exit. Training from NDTV helps. My prediction for this debutant is that she is likely to go higher up in the list in the future. (She lined up with arms lobbyists doing "Panel Discussion on Gen VK Singh's tenure".)
So there you are. Let’s also not forget that are many journalists who now increasingly seem to be anti-nationals. Their ties to Ghulam Nabi Fai aren’t even being investigated by the govt. Industry leaders usually raise the standards of performance of the industry as a whole. The opposite seems to be true in the media. Systematically, many of India’s journalists have brought the profession to rock bottom over the years. I continue to maintain, they are the greatest threat to our democracy.
Click here to read hilarious resume of more Journalists

Why Journalists support corrupt Politicians?

Reference: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
A letter written by our daughter in response to Shekhar Gupta's middle in Indian Express. Says it all.
Satish Bahri

On Sat, 14/5/11, Nandini Bahri-Dhanda wrote:
From: Nandini Bahri-Dhanda
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
To: sg@expressindia.com
Date: Saturday, 14 May, 2011, 4:06 PM
Dear Mr Gupta,
This is in reference to your article- Jantar, Chhu Mantar in IE 14 May 2011.
Frankly I was initially quite bewildered at the hostility from newspapers and its editors, sociologists and intellectuals at Anna Hazare's fast, his demands for modifications and changes etc in the Lokpal Bill, his drawing attention and articulating the general public anger at corruption.
I read article after article of regular contributors and columnists of your newspaper whose writings I had over the years read and enjoyed. Whose opinions I had respected and if I had for some reason disagreed, it had atleast opened my mind to another perspective.
However this time round I have seen the pettiness, the vindictiveness, the disdain, the cynicism of these writers and contributors, including you Mr Gupta.
“The Lokpal Bill is not going to end corruption”....no one claimed it would. It was only a first step in the right direction.
“Who chose these members from the civil society?”... these people volunteered, came forward and offered their services and expertise. Was anybody of stature and repute not allowed to participate?
“This Committee would by-pass the Parliament”... yes it would in the Bill formulating stage but it had to be eventually passed by the Parliament.In most developed democracies citizens do push and articulate bills and laws which are then eventually passed by their Senates, Congress or Parliaments after further debate and discussion.
And then the most hypocritical, inverse snobbery where one of your contributor’s mocked Hazare’s statement that he would never be able to win an election because he did not have the power of money to give TV’s, alcohol or sarees to buy his vote. Hazare’s disain for the Indian voter was dangerous she said, almost fascist!
The gloating that we are a democracy that has thrown out non performing governments 4 times in 64 years is pathetic! It seems most of our intellectuals, sociologists, writers, journalists, editors, industralists are cynical, hardened and a part of the system.
They “enjoy” proximity to the powers that be.
They “enjoy” their largesse, a Rajya Sabha seat perhaps?
They “socialise” with this lot. Some write little bits to keep their worth and value and some offer favours in a quid pro quo.
They are cynical to believe that this is how it is and will remain so.
Mr. Gupta your Jantar- Chhu Mantar is a misplaced piece of writing.
This election did not prove anything except the Indian voter just carries on and on the cycle- exchanging one lot for the other.
We are to put it mildly, a passive democracy. We exercise our vote every 5 years and throw one lot out for the other.DMK this time and the AIDMK last time. In the next elections DMK will be back. Is this a mature, thinking, aware voter? The DMK has looted enough to feed Tamil Nadu 20 times over for seven generations. They have not been punished- they are being “rested” in Karunnidhi’s own words. Did your mature voter ever demand what happens to our money? Where is it being spent? Why aren’t thieving people in prison? No- we simply vote them out. Then allow this lot to loot and plunder and bring the old lot back... ”vibrant” democracy indeed. Are we perhaps mistaking “noisy” for “vibrant”?
I was given to believe that a vibrant democracy is where citizens demand accountability from the people who have been voted in to administer and govern. Where they question and deserve a response. Where citizen groups and pressure groups see that the government “works”. Where the citizen expects justice as a right and not a favour. Where citizens do not have to grovel for what is basically theirs.
An aged man of another era from some remote part of the country, who cannot by any defintion be called cool, came to the Capital and drew the middle class out... and that is what has worried everybody. These were not Jimmy Choo and Armani clad glitterati that could be smirked at. These weren’t your Great Unwashed who could be talked down to. This was the Indian Middle Class Mr. Gupta which has so far been ignored.
I know because I was there.
I met a young man from Badarpur. He had recently filed his tax returns- for the first time he said with some pride. His two brothers were still looking for jobs. He worked 10-12 hours a day, drove back and forth his motor cycle on pot holed roads, returned home to electric outages and no water. He wanted to add a floor to his house but the MCD and police were harassing him... the same old story Mr Gupta... Ghar ghar ki kahani. The MLA of his locality spent 50 lakhs on his daughter’s shamiana and Kalmadi made those crores and crores, Raja made more... his anger was palpable.
I walked alongside a 45 year old single woman with 2 children who ran an export unit in Okhla. There was stinking garbage on her street which was not picked in weeks, electric outages, inspectors who demanded hafta, MCD would not let her raise her boundary wall despite 2 break-ins, no police patrolling. She paid her taxes but what was she getting in return?... Sheila Dixit had made millions, substandard material was used in flyovers, there were 23000 MCD ghost workers... she was angry.
The word on the street is- Sharad Pawar, why is that man in every cabinet? Who does not know that he could buy India twice over? In another country, another democracy he would be serving a prison sentence. Any scam and his name is there! About Sonia Gandhi, the less said the better. Her son-in law, a costume jewellery businessman can buy The Aman...??! Who will punish these people? Where is justice?
My parents, in their 70’s walked from Jantar Mantar to India Gate. My father, an ex soldier who has served in the army for 38 years and fought in 4 wars, believes the enemy is within. But then you don’t have much time for ex serviceman either, do you Mr. Gupta? You feel these chaps are paid to lay down their lives and they have no right to ask for higher salaries. Your opinion as been articulated in article after article that they should be there for patriotism and glory. I wonder if you have such advice for Karunanidhi’s brood or Sharad Pawar’s offspring?
This was not Tahrir Square. This was Jantar Mantar swarming with Middle Class India. Not with Anil Ambani and his pals, not with Rahul’s convenient Kalavati. But Jantar Mantar with educated, hardworking Indians who pay their taxes and try everyday- everyday to be honest. Listen to their voice. They are no pushover... otherwise we may live to regret it.
Incidentally, I don’t recall anyone in Jimmy Choos.
Best regards,
Nandini Bahri-Dhanda

Regarding Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Like father like daughter. Afterall the genes. Its a powerful exposition and I have to agree with Nandini. Incidentally, Satish I didn’t know Shama did the route march too with you from the JM to the IG. Jai ho.
Madhav

From: jaimala gupta
Sent: 14 May 2011 21:08
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Dear Nandani,
An extremely, well articulated, hard hitting reply to Shekher Gupta. In a limited circle of people who are actively involved in this campaign, we give his writings a cold shrug saying that he is only doing the bidding of his HANDLERS. We all know who prompts his writings. It is a pity that he has a strong platform of IE to use. You also have the the fire in you like Putsy and the courage to say so. Great work. Press on regardless. We missed you all the other day at Jantar Mantar and IG. Our whole family was there, 3 gen, which was covered in Amar Ujala.
Love you beta
Mala & jai gupta

From: Murugan Subbiah
Sent: 14 May 2011 22:57
To: Satish Kumar Bahri
Cc: Chander Kamboj; Satbir Singh; milvets militaryveterans
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Congratulations! An excellent rejoinder to Shekhar Gupta. The middle class that assembled in Jantar Mantar are not only the real producers of wealth in this country but also the leaders of local communities. The GDP growth of the country that our Media and politicians boast every day parrot like is due to the hard work and leadership provided by the middle class.History also tells us they were the leaders of successful revolutions.
S Murugan

From: Krishan K Punchhi
Sent: 15 May 2011 00:22
To: Satish Kumar Bahri
Subject: Jantar, Chhu Mantar
Satish,
Excellent piece.
Apart from wining and dining these journos (read sarkari hacks) and bestowing on them the ill deserved honours + giving them seats in the RS, there is another way they are rewarded. They are given housing plots at throwaway prices. One such colony for journalists in New Delhi is known as Gulmohar Enclave. It is close to Green Park and Gautam Nagar. I'm sure there are many more such enclaves in many more cities.
Regards... Krishan
Kudos to Nandini. Wonderful Exposé of Greedy Journalists- like Shekar Gupta's Tribe!

Why is Sonia Gandhi so scared of Narendra Modi?
Sonia has achieved such terrifying power, a glance of her, a silence, just being there, is enough for her inner circle to act; she has subverted so much of the instruments of Indian democracy and she controls such huge amounts of unlisted money that sooner or later this 'karma' may come back to her under one form or the other.

Day not far off for Political Criminals to give up!
Egypt's ousted president Hosni Mubarak and his wife are set to make a public apology and give up their financial assets in an attempt to secure amnesty from prosecution.
Mubarak and wife set to make public apology

Gen SF Rodrigues (Retd) in a fix?

Punjab Governor threatens defamation proceedings against CNN IBN

The Punjab Governor-cum-Administrator, Union Territory of Chandigarh Gen (retd) S F Rodrigues sought an apology from CNN-IBN authorities and threatened to launch criminal and legal proceedings against the channel authorities if they fail to comply for the repeated telecast of the reported audit findings of the Union Home Ministry and the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) of sale of prime land at low rates to prominent IT companies in the Union Territory.

The legal notice seeking criminal prosecution for defaming the Governor was served by Mr Anupam Gupta, Standing Counsel for the UT and a Punjab and Haryana High Court lawyer.

Referring to the telecast of the news item on the land sale subject, beginning on the evening of October 15, the notice that that CNN-IBN has been engaged in "a wanton, malign and repeated telecast of completely outrageous, egregiously false and wholly indefensible slander of the Governor".

"The telecast(s) contents whereof are a matter of record, have been viewed by millions of people around the country and the world and have inflicted grave, incalculable and irreparable damage to the reputation, character and credibility of Gen Rodrigues for which your Channel and all of you, jointly and severally, bear full responsibility", the notice stated.

The enormity of the defamation practised by the Channel against Gen Rodrigues, holding him up before the entire country and the world as a corrupt Head of State/Government involved in a scam running into thousands of crores by corruptly selling off precious government land in the Union Territory to private builders/developers is appalling, the notice said.

" Suffice it to state that your stark and explicit assertions of corruption against him, without a shred or little of evidence and without even a pretence of an attempt or effort at verification from Gen Rodrigues or the Chandigarh Administration, is a gross and blatant abuse of the profession of journalism and exceeds by far the boundaries of freedom of speech and expression delimited by the Constitution and the law", the notice said. UNI

Punjab Governor threatens defamation proceedings against CNN IBN
Read more
Punjab Governor challenges the Union Home Ministry for putting the Chandigarh mega projects under the scanner
Punjab Governor serves notice to TV channel

Responses to "Shameful Naval Gazers"

Dear Friends,

Letter to Hindustan Times in response to an Article “Shameful Naval Gazers” (December 04) is enclosed. You all may also write your responses.
With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,
Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)
Response to: Shameful Naval Gazers by Vir Sanghvi


Dear Editor,

1. Vir Sanghvi’s Article “Shameful Naval Gazers” (December 04) calling the Naval Chief, who also happens to be Chairman Chief of Staff Committee and ipso facto the senior most appointment of three services foolish and lacking in leadership qualities smacks of total bias and unpardonable yellow journalism displayed by a senior editor of the prominent News Paper like yours. The Naval Chief has rendered four decades of unblemished, meritorious and dedicated service to the nation and his professional acumen and high leadership qualities are well known and duly acknowledged by the Govt through various awards and decorations. That a person of Vir Sanghvi’s stature is ignorant of this does not speak highly of your esteem paper in general and Vir Singhvi’s in particular.

2. The press has been denigrating the defence forces of late and it appears that this piece written by Mr Sanghvi appears to be part of the overall campaign orchestrated by the bureaucracy. Such irresponsible articles/ editorials will definitely have demoralizing and demotivating affect on the Armed Forces.

3. My advice to Vir Sanghvi is to confine himself to writing about “Rude Food” and giving tips on dining and wining to his readers and spare the Defence Services of whom he has little knowledge.

(The author is a Former Senior Fellow and Security Analyst of Institute of Defence Studies and Analysis (IDSA), has been examiner PhD thesis in Defence & Security Studies, Ex Commandant Services Selection Centre & President SSB, besides being Instructor at four premier institutions of the Army. Presently he is a Vice Chairman Indian Ex Servicemen Movement.)
With Kind Regards,
Yours Sincerely,

Maj Gen Satbir Singh, SM (Retd)

Vir Sanghvi's report shameful naval-gazers (HT December 4) is most regrettable. His comments on Navy and Chief of Naval Staff have hurt the entire Naval fraternity and service personnel. The Naval Chief is a prodigious figure for his men and is highest honoured person He could have clarified the matter from the Naval headquarters rather than making such disparaging personal remarks This was not his field perhaps he should restrict his writings on eateries only.

Cdr JK Sharma (Retd)

The following letter to the editor of The Hindustan Times was sent by me on the day following publication of Vir Singhvi's article. Of course the paper never published it.
Brig Chaitanya Prakash (Retd)

To,
The Editor
The Hindustan Times,

Just because Vir Singhvi has a pen and unrestricted column space, doesn’t mean he can question the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Mehta’s professional integrity and berate and abuse him unquestioningly. He is better off making his living commenting on the ten star gourmet food and life in the worlds most expensive real estate. Leave the soldiers alone Mr Singhvi, if you cannot fight for them stop berating them. Why are you being so defensive for fellow journalists? Why are the fourth state so combative when it comes to their own creed? Are you guys some holy cows who are beyond criticism and wrong doing?

Brig C Prakash (Retd