TV actors debate about the hyped case of senior journalist Tarun Tejpal

The old adage of the hunter becoming the hunted, best describes the mood in the mind of a layman regarding the now infamous Tehelka molestation case where a young reporter has accused well-known liberal journalist and ex managing editor of Tehelka magazine, Tarun Tejpal of sexual assault, a charge that the latter scoffs away as consensual. In this context, we spoke to a few actors about what they feel about the media’s coverage of this high profile case and their perceptions about the fourth estate. Says Amit Behl (Buddha),“I am very happy at the way media has been covering this case. The print, electronic and digital media have balanced both sides of the debate. Though there have been phases in the past when the aam admi has somewhat lost trust in the media, but of late, you guys have exposed many scams. Many a times, the government of the day tries to hide the real truth on fine print but in this case, spirited journalists have toiled day and night to get to the bottom of the story and reveal all.” However Rohit Roy has a different take on this. “Such high profile cases become double edge swords for e.g. in the above case, some in the media have tried to soft peddle the issue while others are going overboard and taking out their personal grievances against a powerful person in the media fraternity,” he avers. “Media needs to be responsible. It should just report facts and not give its own perceptions that so and so is guilty or not. Let the reader do that for himself or herself. Sadly, many young journalists are doing that, given the plethora of news channels and infusion of entertainment in media. Like Alyque Padamsee quipped there are more actors in the new business,” Rohit adds. Gaurav Chopraa seconds Rohit’s point of view when he says, “Nothing is gospel truth not even history books. Reports are a combination of real facts, opinions of the writer, editor and publication. And last but not the least, comes the commercial angle. I have personally seen many journalists giving my words a complete different spin when they interpret my words.” Observes journalist turned actor Nia Sharma (Ek Hazaaron Mein Meri Behna Hai), “This is a monumental scandal. We need to wait and watch and find out what is right. But I would say Tejpal’ flip-flop statements have made the case go haywire.” She then goes on to point out the views of certain guests on TV news channels who are trying to malign the image of the victim making it look consensual. “This is utterly wrong; no woman would talk about it if she was a party to the act. These people are doing it for their personal popularity,” Nia quips. She then turns her attention to the other lurking question about sexual exploitation in the fourth estate. “I don’t think there is casting couch in the field of journalism, one is not chosen because of one’s sexual appearance but based on qualifications unlike in Bollywood where some girls do so by showing off their assets. But sadly, if seniors in the edit room do such a thing, they need to be made an example of. Hope the victim is given the right justice and due place back in media,” Nia emphasises. Maintains Hunar Hali (Ek Boond Ishq),“I don’t support those who say that the media writes trash. There might be an element of exaggeration but the gist remains true," she informs.. Coming to the Tehelka case, she says, “Journalists who tout big ideas and values must themselves walk the talk.” Here she admits that any person who is accused of a major crime will never ever have the moral courage to speak as boldly as before even if he is acquitted by the Court. “What pains me further is that a bad action by a journalist tars the reputation of the entire tribe,” she quips. Summarizing the full episode, Hunar observes, “In all, the political and corporate slugfest over who is supporting whom or what will happen to brand Tehelka somewhere, the interests of the poor victim might be forgotten.” Here supporters of the young journalist and other young females who are in similar threat, hope that this unfortunate incident forces other media outlets to look inwards and take much needed steps to prevent reoccurrence of similar incidents in the feature.