Covering up internal security issues is like walking on a razor’s edge. It’s always hard to figure out what information a person is trying to find out and what is important. Sometimes journalists stumble, but sometimes due to experience and instincts, they manage to do the right thing.
Here, I am reminded of a news report that I filed for this newspaper in 2016 Three Pakistani terrorists killed in Gujarat, The information about his infiltration into India was shared by Pakistan’s National Security Advisor Nasir Khan Janjua with his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval. it was a few months later attack on pathankot airbase by Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terrorists, due to which seven security personnel were killed. There was a rare connection between the two countries after the incident, when the National Investigation Agency (NIA) was tasked with giving guided tours to Pakistani investigators, who gathered evidence about Jaish terrorists killed at the airbase after a fierce gun battle. was to collect. on 2 january
It was against this background that Indian agencies were briefed about terrorist infiltration. On the evening of March 1, a top bureaucrat in the Home Ministry told me and a reporter for a TV news channel that three terrorists had been killed. The freak in me wondered why the authorities were sharing so much sensitive information with us. When information comes so easily, it’s hard to believe. Still, we decided to do the due diligence. HinduGujarat correspondent Mahesh Langa spoke to state Director General of Police (DGP) PC Thakur, who termed it as a rumour. I checked with several officials but could not confirm any. Since the information came from one of the topmost offices in North Block, I could see no reason to dismiss it. We took the story forward and included the statement of the DGP as well as the statements of other officials.
As of today, I have yet to get a second confirmation. I don’t know if it was a completely false story or a hugely successful covert operation. The bodies were never found, and neither were witnesses. The police or members of the public, who may have been aware of the encounter, never came forward. I don’t know what prompted the officer to provide this information, but these are security reporting threats. Most of the times it falls in the gray zone and always remains a cloak of oblivion. Bureaucrats and police officers never come on record. On-record statements help fix accountability, but there is a fear of retaliation. An officer may face serious disciplinary action for speaking to the press. Reporters have to navigate their way through a maze of information and propaganda. Reporters write for the readers and cannot deceive them. Reader loyalty aside, the credibility of the byline is also affected if unverified, imputed information is published in the name of the reporter. Legal action may also be taken.
News-hungry journalists are often tempted to publish unconfirmed “classified” information. Unfortunately, many newsrooms often confuse accessibility with good journalism. Admission is required; This is very necessary. It is our responsibility and right as journalists to ask questions to those in power. How we apply and process information given to us for use is where the catch lies.
Once a security establishment officer told me that a particular news report on a TV channel, which I was also following, did not fit my byline. The officer was clear enough to tell me that the agencies pitched the news in that particular channel against a neighboring country to establish a narrative among the domestic audience. But I didn’t want to miss the story either. After checking with several executives, I was convinced there was little news and I dropped the story.
Since 2014, a new practice has emerged. Government officials send unsigned notes on WhatsApp. Reporters are expected to file news reports for “sources” of information. Whether the paper chooses to print the information is an editorial call. All such information must be scrutinized and verified before it is published.
vijaita.singh@thehindu.co.in
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