.: Why have we not telecast the story so far? Quite simply, we have chosen not to telecast the story yet because we did not feel that the story was complete. Credible journalism is based on accuracy not speed, facts not sensationalism, reportage not allegations and assumptions.

Our rigorous editorial protocol demands that even a hidden camera shoot is absolutely water-tight. In this particular story, there were many loose ends that needed to be cross-checked, corroborated and investigated further before the story could be aired.  

But even before we could complete the process of investigation, three BJP MPs made allegations in parliament of having been bribed and displayed cash in the House.

Right to telecast

All the raw, unedited footage was placed before the Speaker within 24 hours of the Parliament fracas. The Speaker has subsequently ordered an inquiry, but we reserve the right to telecast the story.

We consulted the country's former solicitor general and leading jurist Mr Harish Salve.
Mr Salve writes, and I quote, "I have reviewed the tapes as also a transcript created from the tapes. I would not like to describe in detail what I have seen, since the matter is pending investigation, but in my considered view the investigation was incomplete and therefore airing the tapes at this stage would necessarily involve arriving at some
'inferences'.

"The investigation by the channel was not ready for telecast in the sense to be a cast iron story (which such stories should be), it did require some more enquiry into certain matters, which could have been done but was rendered impossible by the fact that on the afternoon of 22nd July itself, the three MPs raised this issue in parliament and then went on to make public the fact that this has been recorded by CNN IBN.

"Obviously, after this fact became publicly known, all sources of information dried up."