Pushp Sharma

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Pushp Sharma

Pushp Sharma is an investigative journalist known for exposing the malaise of paid news in the Indian media industry through the sting operation series code-named "Operation 136" that he conducted for Cobrapost. The investigation revealed how some of India's biggest news organizations and media houses were ready to influence the elections by favouring a party and by planting false news items against the opposition in exchange for money. [1] [2] [3] [4]

The undercover investigation 'Operation 136:Part 1', released on 26 March 2018, exposed 17 media houses. But only some videos of 'Operation 136: Part II' were released due to a restraining order brought by the Delhi High Court on the plea of Dainik Bhaskar, one of the media houses stung during the investigation. [5]

Pushp Sharma has been the recipient of the International Press Institute Award (Vienna) for ‘Excellence in Journalism’ in year 2011 for his story 'Rent a Riot', published in Tehelka, which exposed Sri Ram Sene's leadership agreeing to organize a riot in exchange for money. [6] [7] [8]

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References

  1. "Cobrapost says paid news widespread". The Hindu. 26 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  2. "Cobrapost Alleges Paid News Agenda by Media, India TV Denies Claim". The Quint. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  3. "Peddling Hindutva For Money?: Cobrapost Stings Media Houses In Operation 136". Boom Live. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  4. "Large Media Houses Accused of Striking Deals for Paid News to Promote Hindutva Agenda". The Wire. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  5. Jain, Akansha (25 May 2018). "Delhi HC Restrains Cobrapost From Releasing 'Operation 136: Part II' That Claims To Expose Paid News With Communal Leaning On Dainik Bhaskar's Plea". Live Law. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  6. "Who is Pushp Sharma". Cobrapost. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  7. "IPI-India award for Tehelka, The Week". The Hindu. 24 October 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  8. "Two media outlets share IPI India award". IPI. International Press Institute. Retrieved 27 May 2018.