Journalism has been shamed with the latest revelation of the news that Zee News and Zee Business have blackmailed steel magnate Naveen Jindal, the chairman of Jindal Steel demanding Rs 100 crore worth advertisements failing which they would drop in a few negative strories maligning their image. The Steel giants have lodged a formal complaint against Zee News and Zee Business, they said on Thursday for the blackmailing.

" Sudhir Chaudhary, editor of the group, told our team they will continue to defame us if we did not agree to pay Rs 20 crore per year worth advertisements," Jindal, a Congress MP, said at a news conference here.

He added that the sum reached Rs 100 Crore. The FIR was filed with police on October 2. He said after the media group had telecast a few shows that were against their steel group, Jindal contacted the channels and talked to them.

After he received threats from the company, he had released a tape to prove his allegations.

"We decided not to succumb to the blackmail," said Jindal adding that this was the first time they received such a threat.

(AW- Anil)