The Income Tax officials raided the house of a municipal officer KK Singh Chauhan and recovered cash and property estimated at over Rs 10 crores most of the local newspapers in Madhya Pradesh did not publish the news.
Even a newspaper like Dainik Bhaskar that claims to be the fastest growing Hindi paper in India, had to surrender. Such was the influence of this municipal officer! Except Hindustan Times and Pioneer that have local editions, none of the important Hindi papers in this state that has 90% Hindi readership, could dare publish a story of raid. The Nava Bharat and Chronicle group later published the story (prominently but a day later).
Apparently the official had obliged most of the newspaper owners in ways, one can just speculate. Else, when politicians and top leaders' scams are published fearlessly, what stopped these newspapers that they fell on the feet of a man. Isn't it time that owners of a newspaper like Bhaskar learn to respect certain journalistic ethics. Naturally the trust of reader in the impartiality and freedom of a media organisation gets shaken.
When sensational news is published uninhibitedly and passions are inflamed the same newspapers never give a thought once. But they are ready to compromise on all principles (if they have any at all) when it comes to keeping relations. With stakes in property business and growing industries, the newspaper remains the shield of an industrialist and he shamelessly takes the readers for a ride. You are all exposed!