The cynics believe that often it is more difficult to be on the right side when the power de jure is on the wrong side. It is not easy. However, truth and the adherence to truth is always is the fundamental responsibility of a journalist. He is governed by code of ethics which helps in bringing the best out of his profession. An ethical journalist knows that he or she has the responsibility to be honest, accurate and fair in disclosing all facts regarding an event. A journalist has to be objective always and his vision shouldn't be coloured as an observer or as an analyst with tinted glasses of prejudice. It is must that he should be intrepid, but his or her personal beliefs have no place in the story being reported or situation that is being analysed. A journalist has to be conscious of his / her ethical responsibilities. His pen is not for sale.

There are times when the demagogues successfully manipulate the public opinions or change it to their advantage. That's the part of real politics. A journalist can't deny the realities no matter what he / she personally thinks. He has to accept the reality of the situation. However, his basic profession is to enlighten the public about facts and intimate the politician about their tactics and strategies, their rights and wrongs also. He knows that there are certain times when he can't just send every piece of information that he gets into the public domain. He knows that there are certain kinds of information that are too sensitive to be reported to the public. But he / she can't keep the eyes shut. There is no compromise in the profession of honest journalism.

On 19 July 2018, my article about garlanding the alleged criminals by a Union Minister had appeared in "Merinews." I'm not claiming that it was the only article in which I'd taken up this abominable act of garlanding the alleged criminals by the mantri but it was one of the first few articles that had boldly exposed the hypocrisy of the mantri and the ruling party he belongs to.

It is heartening to learn that a week after he felicitated eight men convicted in a lynching case related to cow vigilantism in Jharkhand, he expressed regret over the incident on Wednesday.

The Union Minister had come under severe condemnation from the opposition due to his action. He was either compelled or the pricks of conscience persuaded him to issue the following statement:

"Law will take its own course. Guilty will be punished & innocent will be spared. If by garlanding those men (Ramgarh lynching case convicts) an impression has gone out that I support such vigilantism then I express regret," Sinha was quoted as saying by ANI.

Someone has rightly said, "The truth always wins in the end because it can never be destroyed, whereas lies are built on a fragile structure that can always be undermined by an eventual recognition of the truth. That doesn't mean that the truth wins on human timescales - because we are merely human, with all the weaknesses that implies - or that truthful people win."

We've yet to travel a long way. Don't give up!