New Delhi: The media circle is abuzz with rumours of investigative magazine Tehelka closing down. Even though there is no official confirmation on Tehelka shutting shop, insiders confirm that the magazine is on its way out. According to a Tehelka journalist, the magazine has already shut its circulation department with 50 employees. It has also closed its bureaus at many places.
The management has promised to pay the December salary by Tuesday. But, many employees are not confident of getting their dues.
With its founder and editor-in-chief Tarun Tejpal being lodged at a Goa jail on the charges of sexually assaulting a female colleague, the magazine is now looking like ship caught in storm in deep seas. Shoma Chaudhury, who stepped down as managing editor is also not attending the office. According to some reports, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax (IT) department are also investigating its financial dealings.
No new investor is interested in taking over the magazine and the existing investors have also decided to pull the plug.
Tehelka in its current form as a print magazine was launched exactly 10 years ago. The magazine made a mark in contemporary journalism and broke new grounds.
Some of its investigative stories like Gujarat riots cover up, mining mafia across India etc have made national headlines.
The 'Think' festival started by Tejpal elevated his stature and earned the magazine an international recognition. There are various views on the legacy of Tehelka.
Some argue that Tejpal ran it like a personal property and he never tried to run it like an institution. Because of this the magazine is also in deep trouble after its founder's fall from the grace.
It is a fact that it is very difficult to separate Tehelka from Tejpal. Both are inseparable. The brand Tehelka was brand Tejpal. What is the legacy of Tehelka? What it means for Indian journalism?
Tejpal's one time associates and friends argue that the closure of Tehelka would be a huge loss for free and courageous journalism in India. They say that it will deal a body blow to Tehelka kind of journalism in the country. But, the critics of Tehelka argue that the magazine has never been free and fair. They allege that Tehelka was functioning like a hired gun of the Congress party and it will not be a loss for journalism.
According a rough estimate, more than 90 per cent of Tehelka 'expose' were aimed at the BJP and its allies. It rarely targeted the Congress or its allies.
Some even argue that it was an extension of NGO activism. Lot of left leaning NGOs got a platform to attack others and now they will lose it.
After Tejpal's arrest and jailing, a lot of hidden stories are also coming out causing more embarrassment for him and his family. According to a media analyst, Tehelka is unlikely to get a new investor. Because its brand value is now almost zero and nobody wants to associate with a tainted brand.
Only the time will tell, if it's a loss for journalism.
Comments
0 comment