‘A Journalist Should Not be a Neta’: Rajdeep Sardesai

A journalist who enters a political party, loses his independent voice, says Rajdeep Sardesai.

Rajdeep Sardesai speaks about journalists entering politics, with reference to Kumar Ketkar’s recent selection as Congress candidate from Maharashtra.

(Photo courtesy: Canva/The Quint)

Should journalists enter Rajya Sabha on a political party ticket?

That's a question that gnaws at me after Kumar Ketkar, a friend and early mentor, became the Congress candidate from Maharashtra and the latest journalist to bite into the tempting political apple.

While anyone is free to join politics or be an MP, I just wonder whether an RS seat in particular is increasingly seen as a 'reward' for 'services' rendered.

The Upper House membership is afflicted by cronyism and deal making – quid pro quos for favours, past and present, are the order of the day. Media owners-turned-netas are even more culpable in this regard, allowing their news channels and newspapers to be shamelessly used by those in political office.

Networking/influence peddling, the scent of power and money are often the name of the game rather than a genuine desire to contribute to raising the bar in public life.

Which is why to see Kumar, who is one of our finest journalist intellects, joining the Rajya Sabha evokes mixed feelings.

At one level, he will add to to the diminishing intellectual capital of Parliament but at another level it leaves him in danger of being further compromised since questions will be raised over whether he was using his role as a TV talking head and writer to fuel any political ambition.

To be fair, for some time now, Kumar has been firmly convinced that the BJP under Narendra Modi is a fascist party that must be defeated and the Congress is the only viable option.

The Kumar I know is no sycophant: he is also not the kind who would have lobbied for an RS seat at any stage unlike many others from my profession who have conveniently shifted their ideology only to stay on the 'right' side of those in power (a prominent editor who once condemned Hindutva politics routinely is now a minister in Mr Modi's government).

Moreover, there is probably nothing like a 'neutral' journalist, so wearing his political beliefs on his sleeve is his right as a private citizen.

But when any individual joins a party, he ceases to be an ‘independent’ voice and a journalist sans independence who cannot tell truth to power is a non-sequitur. 

Net net: journalists don't enjoy the luxury of lawyers who can afford to wear two hats without compromising their professional integrity at some level. Once a journalist enters the political domain, he or she sheds any pretence at independent journalism.

However, one must also make a distinction between journalist/editors and those who hold constitutional posts dependent on public funding. In my view, army chiefs or Supreme Court judges or election commissioners or anyone who holds a constitutional post must take a minimum two year hiatus before accepting any political role.

The number of government functionaries who have swiftly moved to take up political positions is troubling: a journalist, especially someone like Kumar who was a freelancer over the last few years, is, to that extent, free to be guided by individual beliefs and persuasions.

Having said all this, I am not sure how a backbencher RS MP can actually contribute meaningfully to public life (many of them scarcely get to speak).

Knowing Kumar, though, I am sure he will continue to speak out on issues close to his heart. We have lost a combative journalist of stature, hopefully we will gain an active MP who will represent Parliament with honour and dignity.

Let's wish him well and wait to see who the next journalist/media owner to make the shift is. By the way, someone asked me whether I was queuing up to be a RS MP (on Twitter, be prepared to be asked anything by anyone). My direct playful answer: no thanks, I already have an RS as my initials!

A few years ago, when a regional party chieftain asked me to enter the Rajya Sabha from their party, my answer was a polite: thank you, but no thank you.

It is my unshaken belief that a professional independent journalist must ideally remain just that: an observer and chronicler with strong views but not a player or participant in the tricky game of politics. If you want to join politics, please do so, but quit journalism first!

(This article was originally published on Rajdeep Sardesai’s BreakingViews blog and has been republished with permission. Sardesai is a journalist and currently a consulting editor at the India Today group)

(The views expressed here are those of the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of The Quint or its editorial team)