DO STING OPERATIONS AND NEWS PORTRAYED BY MEDIA AMOUNT TO DEFAMATION

The word defamation might be simply understood as the stunt trough which an individual or an organisation could be defamed amongst public and their reputation could be subject to breach. There remain no doubt that such an instrument can be put to varied range of utility if used in an ethically proper way or could simply be successful in creating havoc if used in an improper way. Being citizens of the enormous democracy, every one of us has the fundamental right of freedom and more specifically in this context the freedom of speech. Thus we can through our judgement support an idea and is entitled to channel it aloud. But there remains a string thick line between utilising the freedom and defaming someone.

In the present era where media, both digital and print, is exorbitantly popular among mass; it is no wonder that it possess immense power to influence the mass on a large scale. The coolness of various social media platform is not unknown. Just a click of a button is all that is required to scatter a piece of information or an audio video file recording an incident among the vast population. This is undoubtedly a gift to many but for those who are being exposed or defamed it could act as a nightmare.

We come across various sting operations carried out by various media houses to bring to light the truth of corruption and malicious activity. Such operations definitely question the reputation of people or institutions involved in the act. Such a stunt performed to caution public and carried out in the public interest would not be considered as defamatory in nature. When the intention is to bring to light the dangerous acts which could in turn negatively affect the general public, it is always welcome. Many times sting operations are successful in exposing a particular employee of an organisation, which would help alert the company. Such a thing is not intended at bringing down stature.

Media should be an independent entity and is considered as the heart of political and social juncture. It might be termed as a coach with the onus of educating the public of the basic activities going around. It highlights all the whereabouts of the nation and the states and help general public to make a judgement as to what is right and what is wrong. It even has the responsibility of critically analysing the Government and portrays the loopholes and even highlights its good deeds. In a reflex the ruling entity would make attempts to suppress the press but in this situation the power and judgement of the Courts come to the picture. The onus of making laws to protect and safeguard the impartial working of the press is of unparallel importance.

This does not mean that the media has all right to misuse the power it has got. It is their responsibility too to correctly judge what need to be done and what not. But any act to spread awareness among public and safeguard the interest of the vast population is always welcome and would definitely not be regarded as an act of defamation!