Shashi Tharoor schools reporter on ‘journalism ethics’ over question citing ‘Media Reports’

ANI

Thiruvanathapuram (Kerala), May 15, 2025 (ANI): Congress MP Shashi Tharoor firmly responded to a reporter’s question that cited "media reports," emphasizing the importance of journalistic ethics and responsible reporting. In a sharp exchange, Tharoor questioned the credibility of using unverified reports as the basis for questions, underlining the need for accuracy and integrity in journalism.

Transcript

00:00Today, news reports or reports are coming out in...

00:02On the basis of what?

00:04You know, you all went to journalism school.

00:07Aren't you supposed to have some basic evidence, facts and figures, who, what, where, why, when, etc.?

00:12Tell me who, what, where, why, when, then I'll be...

00:13I have not received any communication to this effect.

00:16All I'm seeing is media reports.

00:18And frankly, if I want to base all my life and all my statements and all my reactions on media reports,

00:23I would really not be able to do very much else.

00:25Do you think you're being targeted in some way because...

00:30You folks tell me, am I in your crosshairs?

00:32I don't know.

00:33Look, as far as I'm concerned, I'm trying to do my work.

00:36I have a lot of engagements in the constituency this evening, which is why I'm here.

00:40And I should be allowed to go on and meet them.

00:42All I can say is, I don't honestly see the need for much of this controversy.

00:46But on one issue, we are all Indians.

00:49And at this time, at the time of conflict, I spoke as an Indian.

00:53And I never pretended to speak for anyone else.

00:56I'm not a spokesman of the party.

00:57I'm not a spokesman of the government.

00:58Whatever you agree or disagree with what I said, blame it on me individually and that's fine.

01:03Sir, there's one last question on this ongoing escalation in the border.

01:07Today also there is, you know, fighting going on between the terrorists and the Indian army.

01:12So how do you see this?

01:13Whether it will be of India's interest to continue this or it will be, you know...

01:17Look, terrorism has to be resisted.

01:20On that, the country is united.

01:22Even on Pehelgaan, the government has apparently identified at least three, possibly four of the five perpetrators.

01:28And they have vowed they will go after these people whenever, wherever they will get them.

01:33And I'm 100% supporting the government on such a decision.

01:36So my situation at the moment is, we don't have more information than you in the media are telling us.

01:43If there are terrorist attacks on our country in any shape or form, we should support the government to deal with it.

01:49Terrorism is an inhumane, cruel, absolutely outrageous way of trying to settle any political differences.

01:56And we should certainly, strongly resist it.

01:59Beyond that, the matter is in the hands of the government.

02:03I would wait to hear from the authorities if they succeed in eliminating some terrorists.

02:08We'll hear about that.

02:08If they have any other actions to tell us, we'll wait and see.

02:13To my mind, at this point, the main international engagement which involved striking Pakistan and Pakistan attempting to strike us,

02:22all of that is certainly, as far as I know, is over or is on pause mode.

02:28And therefore, I don't want to stir up any further anxiety.

02:31Terrorism is a different matter.

02:32You go after the terrorists, we're all with the government.

Category

Transcript

Recommended