From an editorial in the Hindu today:
Journalism that relies on deception must satisfy at least three professional norms: the information pursued must relate to a larger social and public purpose, the value of such information to society must outweigh the injury caused by deception, and undercover methods must be used only as a last resort when information cannot be obtained by straightforward means. The use of unethical techniques of newsgathering can only strengthen the government’s misguided attempt to regulate the broadcasting industry. A code of conduct governing sting operations — that would allow only purposeful and socially relevant undercover journalism on rare occasions under supervision at the highest level — could be the first step towards drawing up a blueprint for the self-regulation of the broadcasting industry.
