The Idol Spot

When we talk about conflicts of interest in journalism, it can be real, potential or perceived. Some rules are usually simple. They are framed according to the principle that audiences are supposed to know if a reporter, presenter or editor can be influenced by any commercial relationship with another individual.  If the protocols of the disclosure are not met, it leads to non-employment.  The recent sacking of Canadian journalists highlights the difficulties media employees face in navigating the tricky terrain of conflicts of interest. Earlier this month, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) dismissed the host of its premiere television political show Power & Politics, Evan Solomon, for allegedly using his journalist’s position to broker sales for an art dealer friend. Solomon’s sacking followed a Toronto Star newspaper report on the journalist’s contract with an art dealer, Bruce Bailey. Solomon has admitted he received commissions, said to total around CAD$300,0...

Social service does not mean merely going out into the streets and cleaning them. Whatever work you are engaged in, whatever duties you have to perform as an official or an employee, to do your duties efficiently and with diligence and devotion is also Seva (social service). Those in authority who discharge their functions well enough to justify the salary they receive are rendering real service. But such persons are rare. Employees agitate for more wages but do not render commensurate service to justify the incomes they receive. Disinterested service will ennoble man and raise his stature. It endows man with the intelligence and the skills required to refine human nature.  Doing one's duty diligently is not enough. Men have to cultivate other qualities like love, sympathy, fairness, compassion and forgiveness. Only when one has these qualities will he be able to render dedicated service. It is the sense of dualism---of "mine" and "thine"--which accounts for all...