Journalistic Ethics – “The Vir Sanghvi’s Myth” – Ref Mr Ram Guha’s Article “History Matters” in HT – 14 Sep 2008
1. If there is one very – very Happy Human after reading Mr Ram Guha’s article “ History Matters” in HT today, it is me. The question naturally would be – Why so. Well, it is on 2 counts; namely the facts of History per se which have very rightly highlighted and of course, the second one, and the more important one for me i.e. the demolition of the “Great Vir Sanghvi Myth”.
2. To give the background, I do not know him, I have nothing against him, but his Public Domain Writings/ TV shows/ what-ever he participates in, of late, say in the last 3 – 4 yrs deserve a Realty Check. Some of my reasons are given in succeeding paras for anybody to judge.
3. The likes of Rajiv Gandhi, Arun Jaitley, Salman Khurshid, Karan Thapar, Jairam Ramesh, Kapil Sibal, Vir Sanghvi, Dr Prannoy Roy, Aroon Purie and many others came as a fresh wave in Public Life. After seeing these people, one School of Thought was that at last we have some people who will / may be able contribute to the Society in some way or the other. Some did contribute to the Society, some did not after starting well.
4. The latter variety lost their ways after a period of time because they were so over-whelmed by their success that they were consumed by it. Vir Sanghvi is a such typical case. He has reached the " Lowest Ebb" now, where-in he, in his articles writes as if he is the Elected spokesperson for the Indian Middle Class – just as the Politicians and News Anchors ask everything in the name of “ This Country wants to know”.
5. Mr Vir Sanghvi does not even know remotely know the meaning of Middle Class since he is constantly ensconced in the Most Luxurious Confines of South Delhi, savors by his own admission, the choicest Liquors, Wines, Meats, Hostesses, Seven Star Travel and Hospitality outlets. Nothing against in what he does, but then he should do not champion the cause of some-other class just to promote his writings/ shows.
6. I put forth the following before you to judge Vir Sanghvi for yourself –
(a) Liberal use of the following and the likes of it in the Newspaper Articles / TV Shows
· “ Whisky Sodden Generals”
· “ Farted at the Funeral” ( Article on Musharraf).
· “Crap”
· “ Middle Class” mania.
· “ Yaar” to the likes of Renuka Choudhary in a TV show.
Etc, Etc, Etc
(b) Can you believe it that he is an Absolute Expert / Authority on all the following and many more -
· Politics.
· Economy.
· Raw chicken and Lamb Meat
· Wines including its tasting.
· Scotch.
· Tea Gardens and types of Tea.
· Mughlai Food.
· Chinese Food.
· Continental Food.
· Hotels.
· Airlines.
· Gourmet Food.
· Sight seeing.
· Spas.
· Etc, etc, etc, etc, etc.
© I have heard him talk MOST ADVERSELY on the Big Fat Indian Weddings and espousing the cause of Middle Class, and yet , the lifestyle he promotes and follows is only on 7 Star and sponsors Lifestyle Luxury Conferences.
(d) Champion of Commercial Journalism/ Journalistic Prostitution
He can be very safely accused of Commercial Journalism or shall we say Jounalistic Prostitution .
-- Just read his recent Article San Francisco Diary. Look at the space given by him to Jet Airways and the Taj Group.
-- Perhaps, you need to pay his First Class Airfare, put him up in a 7 Star Hotel, serve him the Best of Wines, Food, Sight Seeing, Daily Allowance , give him a Bye – Bye present and so on and you have a Self Promotion Article / TV feature from no other that Mr Vir Sanghvi.
-- The matter does not end there. Travel around the World / Eating / Drinking etc ( though sponsored and On the House) also results in increasing the Expenditure Kitty in the Income Tax return.
-- In any case, what else to expect from Mr Vir Sanghvi where-in he is the Director of a Company which publishes a Newspaper which, for small time revenue, lets their paper be used for advertisements soliciting Clients for Prostitution.
(e) No time for Research – ample time for writing an Article
- A case in point is the Article in HT 24 Aug 2008 – “Shaping India’s New Destiny – Jagmohan”
· The following definitely gives the impression that it is a Book Review -
· Its Heading - A voice from the Wilderness; Facts, Proposals and some Hard-line Stands; This Book should be BJP’s Manifesto.
· Book’s Name in Bold Letters, Name of Publishers, Book’s Cost, Number of Pages.
· Caption/ Write up below Mr Jagmohan’s Photo.
7. A Realty Check reveals the following -
· Total Article – 125 Full / Half Lines.
· No of Lines on the Book actual – 12 i.e. about 10% only.
· No of Lines on Mr Jagmohan – 113 Lines
· Is it a Book Review or review on Mr Jagmohan.
· Maybe, he has not even read the Book.
Reminds me of the Old Story –
In an exam – Asked to write an Essay on a Train Journey. But had mugged up the essay on Football Match. No problem – Wrote an essay - Started my train journey - An unscheduled stoppage on account of Rasta Roko – Stopped at a place adjoining a Play ground where a Football Match was being played – Described the match. Train started End of Essay.
8. Conclusion
· My heart pains when Senior Journalists stoop to such Lows.
· Good English alone does not make a great Journalist.
· Publishing a photograph with one’s articles which was taken 20 years ago does not make anyone a Great Journalist. · There are hardly any more Role Models for budding journalists.
· Time for Self Introspection – Mr Vir Sangvi.
· I do not think that he will be able to change since he has now become another Rajesh Khanna
Can we get the Old Vir Sanghvi back who once upon a time wrote well and we as a family used to discuss his Articles very fondly. Not any more.In our extended family, anyone who now mentions him just gets a “Shut up Call.”
Lastly, its about time that Print/ Audio/ Video Media regulated themselves.
