This week on TV Newsance, the J-word made a comeback on primetime. But no, it wasn’t 'jihad'. It wasn't 'jung'. It was Jeffrey Epstein.
After fresh documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein resurfaced, Indian television briefly remembered his name and then promptly forgot what journalism looks like.
The emails show interactions between Epstein and Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri from 2014 to 2017 – long after Epstein had already pleaded guilty in 2008 for soliciting sex from a minor.
But here’s the thing: interacting with Epstein does not automatically imply criminality. It does, however, raise questions about judgment. And questions are what journalism is supposed to ask. Instead, we got primetime therapy sessions.
On NDTV, for example, anchor Padmaja Joshi walked viewers through select emails – including a visa request forwarded by Puri – and seemed more amused than alarmed. She even drew a neat distinction between Epstein’s personal life as a convicted sex offender and his ‘professional’ life as a ‘power broker’. Helpful clarification indeed.
But perhaps the more urgent question was: why was a convicted sex offender still being treated as a legitimate bridge to global investors?
This episode also asks:
➜ If Epstein’s 2008 conviction was public knowledge, what exactly was “doubtful” about the case?
➜ Why were some emails highlighted and others glossed over?
➜ Why do TV channels demand resignations over far less, but treat this as banter?
Amid all this Newsance, it’s Valentine’s week, and Newslaundry has completed 14 years – powered entirely by subscribers, and not ads. Please continue supporting us by clicking this link to subscribe, and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
Newslaundry is a reader-supported, ad-free, independent news outlet based out of New Delhi. Support their journalism, here.
