A heady victory for honest journalism

Amedia investigation of epic proportions has shaken the elite power structure in an age of Public Relations plugs and corporate spin. This is good news for journalism, and comes when the public is tired and bored of made-up and packaged information. After Wikileaks and Edward Snowden’s revelations, Panama Papers is another breath of fresh air. The real media has found its voice as it flashes these Papers that could leave the high and mighty shell-shocked (pun intended). Their investment secrets are out in the open with this expose. More embarassing details are likely to follow in the coming days. The rich and the powerful have a lot of explaining to do on why they stashed their cash in safe havens. Numbers were crunched by the team of journalists, information was gleaned and linkages were made for this blockbuster of a story that has done journalism proud. This was a story that had to be told for the Fourth Estate to reclaim its rightful place among the masses.

It was painstakingly put together by the International Consortium of Investigative and 100 news organisations. And what a leak it has turned out to be. Perhaps the biggest ever in history, which could revive honest and ethical journalism, long forgotten on social media where allegations and claims rule. A team of 370 journalists from more than 70 countries worked together for what could be the ‘‘largest cross-border media collaboration ever undertaken’’. These journalists working in 25 languages managed to get hold of 11.5 million documents from powerful law firm Mossack Fonseca, which struck secret deals on behalf of rich customers around the world. Political leaders, movie stars, corporate honchos, middlemen and criminals are in the dock. This investigation has brought back the focus on integrity in public life. The media, through this leak, has reminded the rich and famous that there can be no power without responsibility. They are accountable to the people who have put them at the top.