NEW DELHI: The two senior journalists named by Total TV reporter Priya Singh in her suicide note have not been arrested so far. Their bosses have, however, met top officials here and assured that they are available for questioning whenever the police want them.
Meanwhile, police officials this afternoon confirmed that there will be no arrests till the investigation has progressed to a point demanding such an action.
Singh had written a suicide note saying that she had been harassed by Tapan Bharti, Output Editor and producer Umesh Joshi.
When the police had gone to their houses, both were not to be found.
However, a senior official of Total TV went to the Noida police station and assured the police that none of them were on the run, and would be available when required by the investigators. The official from Total TV has reportedly told the police that Singh was like a daughter to them.
Singh had joined Total TV about a year ago and was quickly promoted to the education beat as an anchor, but as she has alleged, was later removed from the post by the two, who complained to her boss.
The news TV channel insiders today feel uncomfortable with the developments, and though none of the senior editors were available for comment, most people spoken to feel there is too much public glare on the channels.
Some held that it was a purely an internal matter for the channel to sort out, holding that such an incident could happen in any organisation, whether in the media or outside of it.
One correspondent said that while there could be no comment on the Total TV incident till investigations reveal something, the pressure on news TV reporters due to TRP ratings being the sole goal was enormous.
"Some manage the pressure, some find other routes to unburden themselves, but Singh chose the wrong way to deal with her stressful life," he said.
Most insiders admit that there is too much of pressure, and though the salaries are good, the whole issue about immediacy creates a burden that is often difficult to handle for many in the profession.
One more aspect that has been commented upon is for the present generation of TV journalists, the need for a quick rise to fame, in terms of being seen on the small screen, is the only goal.
They point out to the Live India incident in which the reporter and an aide actually went to the extent of concocting a sting that led to horrific results.
Singh had risen fast in her channel, with just about a year behind her, and she ended her life alleging she had been ousted unduly by her seniors from that chimeric world of being a TV personality.
