India, July 31 -- Ever since the CBI Court convicted three accused on July 21, 2020 in the "kickbacks" in defence deals that Tehelka had exposed in its sting "Operation West End", we have been flooded with messages that investigative journalism has been reclaimed in India. The story has once again hogged headlines in the newspapers, television channels and on social media platforms.

The truth of Tehelka sting has once again made clear the difference between journalism of courage that we stand for, and press notes or public relations journalism that many follow. Indeed this was the story that needed moral courage and a mind free from fear and public interest at the core of this endeavour. And Tehelka's founder Editor, Tarun J Tejpal had i...