The swift resignation of transport minister A.K Saseendran was unfortunate. The effect was as if Mangalam TV, a newly launched channel pulled an AK 47 gun on the minister. The coverage and the subsequent resignation of the minister will probably make Mangalam create media history to be the only channel that on the day of its launch struck a major blow to the ruling state government as a result of its coverage of a sleazy audio clip allegedly containing the voice of A.K. Saseendran obtained under a sting operation.
After a series of sexual offence cases unfolding each day in Kerala, this particular news stood different because no one came forward and registered a complaint against the minister. So it appears to be a private affair between two consenting adults. On one side supporters allege invasion of privacy of a citizen as there was no exploitation seen in the incident and they blame the media for unnecessary intrusion. On the other end one group of critics cry foul along moral lines.
LDF, with 91 MLAs under its kitty (only 71 required to maintain majority), is quick to take actions against ministers when credible allegations are leveled against them. Remember that National Congress Party(NCP) in which A.K Saseendran is a member has just 2 MLAs in the assembly. So LDF has nothing to worry about. But in the previous UDF government, this was not the case and the reason was clear that the Oommen Chandy government was hanging on with a thin majority.
The manner in which Mangalam telecast the sleazy audio is also a matter of concern. The audio was telecast almost unedited and the content in its original form was not suitable for a family audience. An analysis of the incident would throw suspicion that it is a possible honey trap or the lady on the receiving end has clearly motivated him to speak in a sexual tone and the phone was tapped by some one without the lady’s knowledge.
Whatever it may be, the question is where does the channel draw a line on boradcasting code of ethics? I think the relevant regulatory body needs to look into this matter and adequate measures need to be taken so that the program contents can be viewed by a family audience.
As for the septuagenarian minister , it is an ungraceful exit from his political career unless he can prove that he was innocent. One can’t help but feel pity for him. Never in his wildest dreams, would he have thought a night (or day?)of indulgence in his sexual fantasies would make himself land on every Keralite’s television screens.
