Barkha Dutt, Vir Sanghvi, Radia Tape Controversy

In November 2010, the OPEN Magazine carried a story which revealed transcripts of telephonic conversations between Vir Sanghvi (an Indian print and television journalist, columnists and talk show host of the Hindustan Times) and fellow journalist Barkha Dutt with the head of Vaishnavi Communication, Niira Radia, lobbyist and self-proclaimed friend of former telecom minister A. Raja. The telephonic conversation was allegedly taped by the Income Tax Department (based on a tip-off by the Central Board of Direct Taxes) for a few months in 2008 and 2009. The transcripts and audio tapes were interpreted as lobbying by Sanghvi for the ruling Congress Party and corporate houses. However, much of this story or controversy was heavily downplayed by most of the mainstream media including the major TV Channels and news papers. There was almost a complete blackout. The news gained prominence through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook although the mainstream media attempted a complete blackout. Several articles have been posted in this blog showing the diminishing credibility of Indian media and its bias and how it has been shaping people's mind. This is just another case.

Cited below are links to some of the transcripts and conversations between the alleged people.

The Raja-Radia Tapes

Four transcripts that were submitted to the SC along with a total of eight recordings in May 2009 covering the cabinet formation, DMK politics and who'd get telecom portfolio
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?268064

The Kanimozhi-Radia Tapes

The conversations with M.Karunanidhi's daughter M. Kanimozhi about keeping Dayanidhi Maran out from negotiations with the Congress and to get the telecom portfolio for A. Raja
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?268065

The Vir Sanghvi- Niira Radia Tapes

In these Radia wants Sanghvi to tell the Congress not to negotiate with Dayanidhi Maran. He tells her that while he has been meeting Rahul and can't "get into Sonia in the short term" he would "try and get through to Ahmed".
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?268066

The Ratan Tata, Barkha Dutt & Other Tapes
Recordings of conversations with the likes of Ratan Tata, Ranjan Bhattacharya, Barkha Dutt, Shankar Aiyar, Sunil Arora etc
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?268068

The Power Tapes

The other big 'national resource' story involves the virtual who's who: Ambani V/s Ambani V/s Tata, gas and power sector war involving big name journos, politicians, babus, corporates

http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?268069

The following OPEN Magazine site consist of a series of articles related to this scam and the transcripts and telephonic conversations between the alleged people.