Of politicians and presstitutes

(I was invited by the Mysore University on July 25, 2015, as the chief guest at the Karnataka Press Day celebrations. The text of my speech is reproduced below:)

A very good morning to you.

We are fortunate that the Karnataka Press Day is being organised by the Department of Communication and Journalism. Had it been arranged by politicians they would have perhaps called it Presstitutes day.

If politicians who lack any integrity have the temerity to attack the media, one can imagine the depth to which journalistic ethics has sunk. However, I strongly resent the use of the word Presstitutes against the media. 

And to all politicians who use this word rather liberally I would only quote Ronald Reagan: "It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."

Well, I need not tell you what the world's oldest profession is.

If journalists are Presstitutes, what should we call politicians who have corrupted the media? Well, I do not want to use the four letter word that starts with P. 

I have always said that the biggest liability of India is its corrupt politicians, irrespective of the party that they represent. That being so, they have no moral right to point fingers at other sections of the society, particularly the media.

But why have we come to a state where the media which was regarded a watchdog and the fourth pillar of democracy, has come under attack from the lowest moral rung of the society, the politicians?

There was a time when the media gave politicians sleepless nights. Today, the same politicians who did not have the courage to lift a little finger against the media, are raising the unmentionable finger. And you know which finger that is!

Where have we gone wrong?

Of course, when the media is in favour of them,  politicians calls it independent news; and when the media reports facts they call it paid news.

But we in the media cannot take solace by merely blaming politicians. The rot has set in with some journalists being on the pay rolls of politicians and corporate houses. Today, many journalists are hand maidens of their political masters. Corruption which was virtually unknown some years ago, is now common place in journalism. The lifestyle of some journalists rivals that of the rich and famous. 

In many cases journalists are partners in crime with politicians, bureaucrats and criminals. The Nira Radia tapes and the arrest of a journalist in the Lok Ayukta corruption case are just some instances of this.

However, I believe a large number of journalists are still honest and are dedicated to their profession. Many of them even sacrifice their lives in the line of dirty. It is a few rotten apples that are giving the entire profession a bad name. It is time to purge such people out of the media so that the fair name of journalism is not sullied.  

My appeal to all you students here is to maintain the highest level of integrity at all times and under all circumstances. If your intention is to serve the society, continue in journalism.  But if  your aim is to loot the country and become rich, well, become a politician. 

Mysore University holds the distinction of producing journalists of the highest calibre. Let us all, former, present and future students uphold the majesty of this University and that of our profession.

Thank you and wish you all the best.

(Senior journalist Preethi Nagaraj had a valid point add: "Having worked with the HIV infected and sex workers, I can safely say that prostitutes have much higher values than corrupt journalists and corrupt politicians."