Why cant bloggers become news reporters ? Why cant everyone "Leak" ? Why cant the average Joe expose the monumental criminality that overwhelms India ?
Because, the moment you report something controversial and name somebody, you will be slapped with Defamation and Libel cases.
Defamation cases in India are medieval torture tools- The come with (non-bailable ?) warrants of arrest. They are filed in remote courts to harass the editor/publisher. The cases drag on for years and the task of fighting the case kills any enthusiasm or motivation to continue reporting. Large media companies employ batteries of lawyers and the roster of cases being fought are often a badge of honor for editors/reporters/publishers. Often over 200-300 live cases would be pending at leading news companies. Often media companies nominate fall guys to act as publishers so that the real movers and shakers are spared the agony of making appearances in courts in Siliguri or Srinagar or Ballia
Then there are cases of bloggers and media independents whose embarrassing disclosures have led to tragic consequences for their writers.
So if you are contemplating the new Wiki Leaks in India or want to become a Huffington Post or Politico. Think twice. And make sure you have a million bucks as a Legal Fund plus a top notch criminal lawyer in tow, before exposing the corrupt Politician/Businessman/Bureacrat/Media Star...........
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