One of the top editors whose conversation with Nira Radia figure in the controversial 2G tapes has said that the tapes are genuine.
Prabhu Chawla who is currently India Today languages Editor answering a query posted in the Ask Prabhu feature of the magazine website said the 2G tapes are genuine.
The question read: Sir, how credible are these 2G tapes which corner some of the media persons? Are the sources of these tapes genuine?
“Yes, these tapes are genuine but illegally obtained. In fact, I am also one of those who spoke with Nira Radia on various issues except 2G or Mr.Raja or government formation. However, these tapes are being misused by those who want to divert attention from 2G scam.”
India Today magazine did not run the tapes but they story and the transcripts were picked up by Mail Today paper and Headlines Today which is a group concern.
New Indian Express Editor-inchief Aditya Sinha had claimed that India Today took the decision not to publish the tapes after Aroon Purie vetoed the cover story.
“Aroon Purie vetoed India Today cover story on Radia tapes as Tata Group stopped ads to Headlines Today when tapes first surfaced in TV story,” Aditya Sinha claimed in a Twitter response after the story broke.
Mint editor R. sukumar had claimed that they desisted from publishing the tapes because the paper couldn’t authenticate them. “The reason we didn’t act on them was because we couldn’t authenticate them….. The mere submission of a more detailed set of transcripts in the court doesn’t, at least to my mind, make the documents any better as “source” for a newspaper article. They could be authentic, but there’s a chance that they could be forged.
“My reporters and editors had no way of finding out, which (and believe me, we tried) I think is the responsibility of an honest newspaper to do.”
Sukumar’s conversayion with Radia too figures in the leaked tapes.
