How to spy?

Date: 22/03/2005
Source: The Times Of India
Author: PRIYANKA DASGUPTA

Celebs try suggesting alternatives to hidden cams for exposes

Accepted that there is a raging debate on journos turning into peeping Toms and using hidden cameras to expose the casting couch. It's an infringement on privacy, people say. But does the media have any other modus operandi to expose it without taking recourse to the spy cameras and the paparazzi?

Though film-maker Ramesh Sippy didn't have any suggestions for an alternative method, he said, "It depends on the inventiveness of the media to find out a way that is not intrusive and yet conclusive to expose the casting couch." Getting hold of documental evidence to prove the casting couch doesn't arise. So what is the alternative?

Film-maker Pooja Bhatt says, "Nothing can expose the casting couch more than persons who actually stand up for themselves and expose the person who propositions them." A person can shout from the rooftop about being prepositioned. But will the world believe her without any conclusive proof?

Noted journalist and producer Pritish Nandy says, "If you expose sexual exploitation where the issue is larger than just taking a peek into the personal sexual habits of private people, I have no problems with the use of hidden cameras." Nandy has no problems if the hidden cameras are used to expose stories on how a chief minister used his office to seek sexual favours. "He is a figure of public importance and his act was impacting the lives of people. I have no problems if the spy cams are used to expose big targets. Expose crimes, but not aberrations," he adds.

But how do you expose a person seeking sexual favours without infringing into his privacy? Trying to expose those who are comfortable at the couch by doing a reality check with unsuspecting wannabes would still mean intruding into the privacy of the celebrity.

Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai says, "I am all for the hidden camera if it is to expose illegality. But where is the illegality in the casting couch if it is between two consenting adults? It might be morally indefensive."

Since it isn't illegal, does that mean that the media mustn't expose it? "Having slept with celebs, women should come on air after getting a role. Just titillating the masses by stopping midway, as the channel did in the Shakti Kapoor case, doesn't prove any illegality!" Sardesai suggests. Excluding hidden cameras, does the journo then resort to DNA testing of the semen? And does that prove the existence of the couch? And finally, isn't it too preposterous to expect that a wannabe who agrees to sleep to come in the open and talk about the casting couch after having bagged a role? As for undercover journos, is it worth the effort to sleep with celebs and hit the headlines and become a celeb themselves?

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