Bribery and Corruption among Indian Journalists:A Survey

Abstract

Bribery among journalists could be seen widely in many places but is a comparatively less researched topic. It would be surprising for an average news consumer to know that the sometimes news story he reads in print or views on television might be the product of a bribe or some sort of incentive received by the journalist who covered that news. After all, we read and watch news on the sordid details of corruption in government and society in general through the media with such alarming alacrity, but would almost have never known about corruption in the media they subscribe. Moreover, when one talks about corruption in media, it is about how the media reports on corruption (Transparency international, 2013) or on ‘paid news’ where the aspect of how the media establishments publish news after accepting monetary assistance (Press Council of India, 2010)