There are quite a number of ways one can enter politics. By joining the youth wing of a party, by belonging to a dynastic family or by getting in as a volunteer. However, our Lutyens of Delhi have formulated another way- by getting into journalism. In an unethical move, Congress has announced the appointment of Supriya Shrinate, the executive editor at Economic Times Now as its Lok Sabha candidate from Maharajganj in Uttar Pradesh.
This comes as a surprise to all as the journalists are technically supposed to be unbiased without any political affiliations. However, this ticket implies something else entirely. Political affiliations imply a strong belief in the ideology. Surely a person cannot develop ideology overnight. Sadly for ET Now, Supriya Shrinate was one of those Lutyens who was underhandedly adopting the strangely common practice of quid pro quo. Holding a position of influence and power over the masses, she made good use of her post by furthering Congress agenda in the name of ethical journalism. The fact that she had been setting the narrative on a national platform with a Congress spin is a thought to ponder upon.
I will be taking an active plunge in politics, am grateful to @INCIndia @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi @JM_Scindia for trusting me with Maharajganj. It will be an honour to keep my late father’s legacy alive. I look forward to making a meaningful contribution
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) March 29, 2019
The quid pro quo is a very old tactic of some of the political parties. A name which commonly pops up is that of Pankaj Shrivastava. He was sacked from his post as a senior journalist at IBN7 due to his non-performance in 2015. However, Shrivastava claimed to have lost his job because he opposed the alleged anti-AAP policy of IBN7. The truth was revealed by a journalist named Yashwant Singh, who himself is left-leaning and consistently anti-BJP. Therefore the spins that Shrivastava is a victim were fabricated. The journalist tried to spin the situation to come out as a victim but the public can spot a case of quid pro quo when there is one.
Unsurprisingly, the person who defended Shrivastava’s case was Ashutosh. He was the managing editor of IBN7, who later joined AAP in January 2014. He is the prime example of quid pro quo, exchanging journalistic favours for political favours.
As I said on @HeadlinesToday tonight, I reiterate @ashutosh83B was given Lok Sabha ticket by AAP as quid pro quo
— Shazia Ilmi (मोदी का परिवार) (@shaziailmi) January 23, 2015
Former AAP leader and current BJP leader Shazia Ilmi had slammed Ashutosh and alleged that there was a quid pro quo. Ashutosh was supposed to give prominent coverage of AAP in IBN7, and in return, Ashutosh was to be given a plum post in the party. In furtherance to this alleged arrangement, Ashutosh was given a Lok Sabha ticket after AAP propaganda was over, right before the 2014 elections.
Similarly, Supriya Shrinate, after being done with Congress propaganda and setting the narrative straight for the grand old party has conveniently resigned. She is now being awarded for her efforts, by being given a seat in the politically crucial state of UP.
Such kind of journalism is a sham. The profession is supposed to be ethical and unbiased. While one has his/her own personal opinions and observations; however trading of favours by fabricating truths and omitting information in return of political benefits is a moral crime of the highest order.