Indian agencies offer money to write against Bangladesh
Indian intelligence agencies offer handsome money to journalists to write articles against Bangladesh, and two other neighbouring countries, claimed an Indian journalist.
Arun Rajnath, New Delhi correspondent of the Washington-based online newspaper South Asian Tribune, said he was offered Rs 10,000 per month to write a story against Bangladesh, Pakistan or Nepal. Rajnaths revelation was published in a special report of the newspaper headlined Indian Officials Harassing South Asia Tribune New Delhi Correspondent on July 27.
The report, which had detailed description of the Indian intelligence agencies clout on Indian journalists, captures glimpses of the harassment towards journalists who refuse to comply with official directives.
After refusing to be on the payroll of an intelligence agency, Rajnath, who writes on the Indian army and Kashmir, was refused accreditation by the external affairs ministry, and he became the target of frequent intimidating phone calls from the intelligence men.
The correspondent claimed that many top Indian journalists covering news relating external affairs, home, and defence were on the payroll of the security agencies or the ministries concerned, and regularly receive handsome compensation packages.
Commenting on the report, a Bangladeshi intelligence expert said they have reports that not only Indian journalists, but also a number of Bangladeshi writers are on the payroll of Indian sources.
Mentioning a lack of resources and motivation on the part of Bangladeshs intelligence agencies, he said, Very little can be done in the existing situation.
http://www.newagebd.com/2005/aug/08/front.html#e