Summary
Pushp Sharma is an investigative journalist known for exposing the malaise of paid news in the Indian media industry through the sting operation series code-named "Operation 136" that he conducted for Cobrapost. The investigation revealed how some of India's biggest news organizations and media houses were ready to influence the elections by favouring a party and by planting false news items against the opposition in exchange for money.[1][2][3][4]
The undercover investigation 'Operation 136:Part 1', released on 26 March 2018, exposed 17 media houses. But only some videos of 'Operation 136: Part II' were released due to a restraining order brought by the Delhi High Court on the plea of Dainik Bhaskar, one of the media houses stung during the investigation.[5]
Pushp Sharma has been the recipient of the International Press Institute Award (Vienna) for ‘Excellence in Journalism’ in year 2011 for his story 'Rent a Riot', published in Tehelka, which exposed Sri Ram Sene's leadership agreeing to organize a riot in exchange for money.[6][7][8]
References edit
- ^ "Cobrapost says paid news widespread". The Hindu. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Cobrapost Alleges Paid News Agenda by Media, India TV Denies Claim". The Quint. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Peddling Hindutva For Money?: Cobrapost Stings Media Houses In Operation 136". Boom Live. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Large Media Houses Accused of Striking Deals for Paid News to Promote Hindutva Agenda". The Wire. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ Jain, Akansha (25 May 2018). "Delhi HC Restrains Cobrapost From Releasing 'Operation 136: Part II' That Claims To Expose Paid News With Communal Leaning On Dainik Bhaskar's Plea". Live Law. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Who is Pushp Sharma". Cobrapost. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "IPI-India award for Tehelka, The Week". The Hindu. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
- ^ "Two media outlets share IPI India award". IPI. International Press Institute. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
External links edit
- Videos of Operation 136.
- The article Rent a Riot, which exposed the Hindutva leader Pramod Muthalik
- The award-winning journalist who exiled himself published by Newslaundry