NEW DELHI, 27 September 2007 — An Indian television reporter accused of fabricating a sting operation has been charged with fomenting riots in the capital, police said yesterday.
Journalist Prakash Singh was charged Tuesday with abetting rioting that erupted on Aug. 30 after a story was broadcast purporting to show a schoolteacher forcing girl students into prostitution.
The government last Thursday imposed a one-month ban on the privately run 24-hour news channel LiveIndia for broadcasting the program.
“We are also investigating if the reporter had other ulterior motives than just framing the teacher,” a police spokesman said.
Furious parents and supporters of supposed victims publicly stripped 42-year-old teacher Uma Khurana, damaged cars and attacked buildings after LiveIndia broadcast the 30-minute sting story.
LiveIndia officials said the reporter, who was arrested last week, had convinced editors the sting was authentic.
A young woman described as one of Khurana’s victims, who later turned out to be a professional actress, has also been arrested.
Singh reportedly staged the sting to earn “instant recognition” in India’s competitive media industry.
