Sycophancy & Amar Ujala: The Aam Aadmi Party Tale

BY SWATI MISHRA

^{Translated by Mugdha Dubey, originally published on Newsgram Hindi.}

Journalism, Press, News are considered the fourth pillar of Democracy. They are called so because they bridge the gap between the government and its people. Media raises people's voice and informs them about the decisions and policies of the government. But the pillar is getting unstable, it is turning into synonym of sycophancy and today I am going to talk about one such instance.

Before Punjab Legislative Assembly elections, Kumar Vishwas, during an interview, had revealed one huge plan of Arvind Kejriwal. Kumar had talked about how Arvind Kejriwal wanted to become 'Prime Minister of an Independent state (Khalistan)'. Kumar had also thrown light on the connections of Kejriwal with Khalistan supporters. But this was not the first time that Kumar Vishwas had discussed this information, he had disclosed it about three-four years ago.

Following these events, Amar Ujala publishes one article titled- 'Punjab, Khalistan and Kejriwal: What is the secret behind AAP's politicians 'secret' meetings?' The article revealed truth about Arvind Kejriwal and Khalistan supporters' relationship.

But reliable sources tell us, how the article had Kejriwal and his team panicking. How 'Chandachor' (donor thief) got worried about it and his team approached MD of Amar Ujala and with the force of money changed the whole picture, distorted the truth.

What is to be considered is the fact that Aam Aadmi Party's sole reason of formation was to eradicate corruption. Though they still play the trumpet for it, but this is the real face of government which was born to change the system. Media-buying tendency of AAP had come into light since a few years. The way that this party is murdering the autonomy of media, it is a clear sabotage of Freedom of Press. Kejriwal's government spends crores for advertisements and praise in the media, this incident of changing the article is yet another example of the same.

Changed title of the article is: 'Politics: AAP has been accused of relations with Khalistan supporters even before, no effect on elections'. Kejriwal used money power to bury the truth along with Amar Ujala's light.

Amar Ujala is a well-known media house. Its name signifies how it imparts light (Ujala) to the public. But that Amar Ujala's autonomy was bought and buried along with the truth.

This is the side of government which is way far from what people see. Education, health and corruption-free India are the talked about issues of this government and now, this government is using money power to buy media freedom and encouraging corruption. Government's actions are words are not on the same page. Today politicians have bought media freedom with money. Commercialization and sycophancy has made media merely and agent and Amar Ujala is its live example.

(Keywords: Amar Ujala, AAP, Arvind Kejriwal, Kumar Vishwas, corruption, sycophancy, media, money)