How The Indian Press Covered The Sacking Of Admiral Bhagwat

Pioneer: Dec 31 in "The Fall of an Admiral": "Senior Govt. official said." "A senior government official said it was a clear defiance of civilian authority which could not have been tolerated by any government."

Jan 1: Reactions all attributed

On January 2 the Pioneer carried a story titled "Bhagwat Lied, Leaked Info." It boxed an account of five incidents titled "Tales of Misdemeanor." The only source given was "Defence sources said." Here is an example of misdemeanour cited: "the most serious incident however involved making public top secret information concerning national security. Though sources refused to acknowledge the exact details of the disclosure, they said it was "scary" and had "compromised national security in a big way." Whose words do the quotation marks refer to?

Times of India : Jan 3, "I did not criticise RAW." The headline puts in quotes a Bhagwat statement that is not to be found in the story. Not sourced. Story does not say where Admiral Bhagwat denied criticising RAW.

Jan 7: Page 1 story on Bhagwat having incurred the wrath of key lobbies. Source: high level officials in the services speaking on conditions of anonymity.

The Right to Reply

Examples of stories which gave right of reply, and those which didn¿t.

Indian Express Dec. 31: "Govt. Sacks Navy Chief, Wife says it is Communal". The paper gave equal space and display to government¿s reasons for sacking and Niloufer Bhagwat¿s outburst. However, in her remarks she accused George Fernandes of lying and Admiral Sushil Kumar of not being sufficiently qualified for the job, and pliable. These allegations were carried without getting Fernandes or Kumar¿s comments on them.

Hindustan Times Dec. 31: "Naval Chief Sacked, deliberate defiance cited as reason." Government version on sacking, Niloufer Bhagwat¿s statements not covered.

Times of India Jan 1 : "Advani refutes Niloufer¿s Charges," Page 1. The charges that he is refuting are carried in a story on page 11 titled "Nexus Behind Bhagwat¿s Sack: Niloufer."

The Pioneer, Dec 31, gives the Bhagwats the right of reply, but frames it negatively : "Wife Spews Fire on Government." It does not give George Fernandes and Sushil Kumar the right of reply to her remarks against them.

Jan 2: Only Indian Express carries Harinder Singh¿s wife¿s signed statement taking on Niloufer Bhagwat¿s accusations.

The Pioneer, jan 2 carried a story titled "Bhagwat Lied, Leaked

Info, "It boxed an account of five incidents titled "Tales of Misdemeanor." The only source given was "Defence Sources said." Here is an example of misdemeanour cited : "The most serious incident however involved making public top secret information concerning national security. Though sources refused to acknowledge the exact details of the disclosure, they said it was "scary" and had "compromised national security in a big way." It did not afford Admiral Bhagwat the right of reply on any of these accusations. It also carries George Fernandes accusations against Bhagwat without giving the latter the right of reply. It doesn¿t say that it tried to get his version and failed, as the Hindustan Times does.