NEW DELHI: From uncouth shouting matches during primetime to intrusive questioning on PTC – TV news in India has been plumbing new lows regularly. Ethical journalism went for a toss in the quest for the next breaking story, the exclusive scoop. Then – piercing through the dead of that fateful night when a Dalit rape victim was forcibly cremated by the police in Hathras – emerged the bold voice of India Today reporter Tanushree Dutta, reassuring people that there still those upholding the tenets of truth, objectivity, and accountability.
The young and fiery journalist became a celebrated icon across the country with her unperturbed and timely reporting from ground zero in Uttar Pradesh. Alongside her camera crew, she fearlessly questioned the police presence on-site, and the stance of those in the state and the central government.
Pandey has been closely following the case since 29 September, the night the Dalit woman’s body was burnt by the UP police amidst protests by the villagers and the wails of her own family who wanted to perform her last rites.
Since then, she has shared minute-by-minute account of the happenings of the night through video clips. Among these is a video of the district magistrate’s (DM) conversation with the bereaved family, insisting that they take back the rape charges.
Pandey is David staring down Goliath. Up against a powerful administration and corrupt law enforcement, her determination and fearless coverage of this heinous gangrape case is to be lauded.
It also comes as no surprise that she has been targeted by those with vested interests in the matter. Her personal phone calls were unethically tapped and made public with the intention to malign her image for forcibly intimidating the victim’s family. BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya cited the same calls as the reason for a media clampdown in the area.
However, she has received mass support online, with senior journalists and people alike appreciating her for showcasing the highest standards of journalism.
Young journalists like Pandey are giving fresh faith in mainstream TV news to citizens. Her strong on-ground reporting is driving widespread outrage across the country against the treatment meted out to the bereaved family and the police high-handedness on display when the deceased victim was forcibly cremated. More power to her!
