Ambush is the act or instance of lying concealed so as to attack by surprise. Journalism is the occupation of reporting, writing, editing, photographing, or broadcasting news. Ambush journalism refers to aggressive tactics practiced by journalists to suddenly confront with questions people who otherwise do not wish to speak to a journalist. Ambush Journalism is commonly seen in American public affairs and tabloid programs. The practice has particularly been applied by television journalists, conducting investigations. The practice has been sharply criticized by journalists and others as being highly unethical and sensational but it appears to be continuing in the future.
Some journalists use this technique to obtain the latest and hottest news. The outcome can sometimes be damaging or viewed as unethical. Other journalists refuse to use this technique because they feel that it violates the basic journalistic standards of balance and fairness. However others defend it as the only way to attempt to provide those subjects to it an opportunity to comment for a report. Journalists sometimes use the element of Ambush Journalism as a surprise technique to get the real story or news and raw emotions. This can sometimes be good because the persons true emotions are not hidden, as mentioned before, but usually the person being interviewed or ambushed does not have time to prepare and tends to have not well-reasoned answers.
It has been a serious issue whether Ambush Journalism is ethical or not. This is a very hard question to answer because each case is different. Also who decides what is ethical? That judgment is left in the hands of both journalist and the public. The public on the other hand wants to know everyone's private business so much that they sometimes do not care how it might affect the person or persons that the news is about. However if they were to be the subject of Ambush Journalism themselves they would most likely not like it at all.
One good example of Ambush Journalism was carried out by Tehelka.com in 2001 which had begun it's publication in 2000 as a news website. a reporter Mathew Samuel posed as a representative of the fictitious large arms supplier of a company named "West End" and successfully had a major expose on corruption in defense procurements. "Operation West End" as it is popularly known made then minister in charge of Defense, George Fernandes of Samata Party resignfrom his post although he was reinstated later. Tehelka.com was also forced to close down temprorarily. in their 2004 book, "international Communication: A Media Literacy Approach", Art Silverbatt and Nikolai Zlobin described Tehelka as a "muckraking site".
An Indian movie, “Breaking News” released in 2007, directed by Vishal Inamdar also tries to show the aspects of Ambush journalism with general details on its pros and cons successfully covering the issues of ethics, sensationalizing in media and the thin line between Ambush Journalism and Yellow Journalism.
