Pliable trends, courtesy Rahul Gandhi's 'definition of journalism'
What's the story
Congress President Rahul Gandhi used the word 'pliable' to describe ANI editor Smita Prakash, who interviewed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 1, Tuesday. This gave enough fodder to leaders on both sides of the spectrum to exchange tirades. Journalists didn't stay quiet either, and rightly so. RaGa was advised to not shoot the messenger and attack his opponent instead. But Congress is clearly in no mood to retreat.
The row
Congress President wasn't pleased with PM Modi's interview
On Wednesday, RaGa held a press conference after his speech in Lok Sabha attacking PM Modi on Rafale. In the meet, he spoke about the alleged irregularities in the multi-crore deal signed with France and went on to question Prakash's journalistic ethics. Prakash took to Twitter asking RaGa to refrain from commenting on her job as it doesn't suit a leader of his stature.
Twitter Post
Prakash calls RaGa's actions 'cheap shot'
Dear Mr Rahul Gandhi, cheap shot at your press conference to attack me. I was asking questions not answering. You want to attack Mr Modi, go ahead but downright absurd to ridicule me. Not expected of a president of the oldest political party in the country.
— Smita Prakash (@smitaprakash) January 2, 2019
NDA's stand
Separately, Jaitley says 'grandson of dictator' has shown real DNA
Not being the one to sit back while the controversy brewed, BJP launched a sharp attack on the Congress. Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley tweeted RaGa has shown his 'DNA'. He wrote on Twitter: "The Grandson of the 'Emergency dictator' displays his real DNA - attacks and intimidates an independent Editor." He added, "Why are the pseudo-liberals silent? Waiting for the Editors Guild's response."
Twitter Post
Some 'journalists' went quite overboard
Smita Prakash first did an interview with French President to give Modi clean chit on Rafale. Now giving Modi a platform. Bhakts see all this and turn around to call us biased and sold. Smita apparently is NOT sold. She should know this is #dhandha, not of body but of ethics.
— Sanjukta (@sanjukta) January 1, 2019
Trolling
What people said about the controversy
The choice of words also drew battle lines within the journalism fraternity. While many opined pliable wasn't a bad word and representatives of BJP used worse words like 'presstitutes' and dalal, others felt the president of a national party should have been careful. Prakash, who was trolled incessantly and called BJP's mouthpiece, held her ground. Notably, Editors Guild issued a statement.
Twitter Post
Journalists won't be intimidated: Guild finally issues a statement
The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement. pic.twitter.com/XJ8OAylXxx
— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) January 3, 2019
Video
Later, Congress releases video of PM Modi's previous interviews
However, it seems the Congress isn't done with the controversy. The party's official handle tweeted a video of PM Modi's previous interviews to make a point that he hasn't been grilled enough. Apart from Prakash, the video featured journalists like Arnab Goswami, Navika Kumar, Rahul Shivshankar, and Sudhir Chaudhary. It also had a clip of PM Modi's conversation with lyricist Prasoon Joshi.
Twitter Post
Congress explains why pliable isn't a bad word
#Pliable isn't offensive, it's the state of Indian journalism today pic.twitter.com/xCKq2jdCaS
— Congress (@INCIndia) January 3, 2019
Retort
Amit Malviya shares another video to counter Congress
Soon, BJP's social media head Amit Malviya went the same route and shared a video having clippings of different interviews. The clipping included RaGa's interview where his marital status was discussed, Sonia Gandhi's interview where her saas-bahu relationship with Indira Gandhi was talked about by Rajdeep Sardesai and another conversation which touched on Akhilesh and Dimple Yadav's 'difference of opinion'. Undoubtedly, the stage is set for 2019.
Twitter Post
Malviya replies to RaGa
Dear Rahul Gandhi, Let me show you what ‘pliable’ means... Enjoy! pic.twitter.com/9LlBsMBbvS
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) January 3, 2019