5 Things Nation Wants To Know From Arnab Goswami’s Episode

Article by Nanda Gopal Published on: 6:45 pm, 19 January 2021

Arnab Goswami’s reported Whatsapp conversations with the former director of BARC Partho Dasgupta have triggered nationwide furore. These alleged conversations were placed before the court by the Mumbai police as part of its charge sheet in the TRP scam. The controversy rises serious yet pertinent questions. 

1. Arnab Goswami’s alleged WhatsApp chat indicates that he was aware of the Balakot airstrikes in advance. Not just allegedly knowing top military secrets, Arnab allegedly shared it with others. If this is true, it has serious national security implications. Neither the Prime Ministers’ office (PMO) nor Arnab Goswami dismissed these conversations giving credence to the Mumbai police claims. A decision on such airstrikes is not shared even with all the cabinet colleagues. Pakistan would have taken advantage if it could lay its hands on such leaked military secrets. The Government of India should have ordered a probe on such a matter. But, there is no such response from the PMO. 

2. Arnab Goswami is known for his controversial brand of journalism characterized by extreme nationalist, far-right jingoism that go contrary to the values of the Indian constitution. These reported conversations reveal that Arnab Goswami has commodified even patriotism for commercial advantage. In his WhatsApp chat, Goswami reportedly told Dasgupta that the republic has won Pulwama like crazy. This exposes the hypocrisy behind Arnab’s school of journalism and its right-wing admirers.

3. The Prime Minister and his colleagues have assumed office through an oath of secrecy. The business rules mandate the confidentiality of government business of such sensitive nature. Arnab claims that he could access such information due to his proximity with the PMO. If it is true, it is a clear violation of the oath of secrecy. If the PMO is vulnerable to the leak of national security measures, it’s very alarming for the country. 

4. Arnab Goswami’s alleged episode is proving to be a foreign policy embarrassment for India. Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has immediately responded by saying that Goswami’s reported chat vindicated his country’s stand that airstrikes were carried out for the electoral purpose. Arnab Goswami in his cynical response is using Imran Khan’s remarks to buttress his claims that the entire TRP scam in which he was implicated is a Pakistani conspiracy. But, such a cover-up behind Pakistan will not absolve him of the allegations made against him.

5. The entire episode if true, only reveals the ugly politician-media nexus operating purely on commercial quid pro quo. Information of crucial importance to the nation is shared with the servile media so that the latter exploits for commercial purposes. In return, the media offers unabashed partisan propaganda for the ruling dispensation. Such a sinister nexus is unbecoming of democratic principles and ethical media.

By Prof K Nageshwar

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