'Investigative journalism vanishing fast in India'

INDIA'S Chief Justice NV Ramana on Wednesday (15) said the concept of investigative journalism is fast vanishing in the Indian media landscape. To back his claim, the top judge said while newspapers earlier used to expose scandals creating ripples in the society, there are hardly any such explosive story nowadays.

Speaking at a virtual book launch function in the Indian city of Hyderabad, Ramana said, “I am taking the liberty to share a few thoughts of the present-day media. The concept of investigative journalism is unfortunately vanishing from the media canvas. It is true at least in the Indian context.

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“When we were growing up, we eagerly (used to) look forward to newspapers exposing big scandals. The newspapers never disappointed us in those days. In the past, we had witnessed newspaper reports on big scandals and misconduct creating waves leading to serious consequences. Barring one or two, I do not recall any story of such magnitude,” Ramana, a former journalist himself, added.

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The judge said collective failures of individuals and institutions need to be highlighted by the media in India.

He said the media needs to make people aware of the deficiencies in the system.

Speaking about the book “Blood Sanders” written by Hyderabad-based journalist U Sudhakar Reddy, Ramana said the Red Sander trees that mostly grow in Seshachalam forest area of the state of Andhra Pradesh, which is also his home state, need to be protected.