Journalism Must Be Free And Law Abiding
Prof N.K. Singh
Former Chairman International Airports Authority of India
Recent raids on the residences and offices of co-founder of NDTV have raised some fundamental questions about the freedom of press although Central Bureau of Investigations have made it abundantly clear that they have not raided the offices of media. The case of NDTV has nothing to do with its presentations and news. It pertains to their financial dealing concerning share transfer and cheating. A shareholder filed a case of being cheated and court gave order to the CBI to investigate. The government did not order this investigation and CBI cleared it that they fully honour the freedom of press and they are carrying on lawful duties outside the premises of NDTV.
There is a great deal of noise on attack on the freedom of press which is not true. It may be a fact that some communal or casteist writers are finding it suffocating to spill out their spleen. It is also amusing that Arun Shouri, who is a right winger former minister with BJP government is calling it ‘killing the chickens to frighten the monkeys’. When Kejriwal calls Prime Minister a psychopath, many others put him as rustic cultured hugging foreigners, or using hyperbole or hubris. Such talk and writing about Prime Minister is never resented by the PM himself and he ignored it. How it could be the step to put down freedom of press? Partha Chatterjee has crossed all limits by describing Indian army chief comparable to General Dyer who massacred innocent and peaceful people in Jallianwala garden in Amritsar during freedom struggle.
Is it not insolence in insulting a man fighting a difficult mission and his men being stoned to injuries without killing the stone pelters? Interesting thing is that before his outburst not many Indians knew or had heard about him. His outburst without any rational basis is now his passport to fame. Still nothing is done against him. Is it not misuse of freedom of press? Press is free but lacks in credibility in terms of international surveys. It is necessary to deserve freedom with responsibility. For example, many media persons reporting communal riots without restraint are not serving any cause. A report says four Muslim and one non Muslim were killed. Why it could not be that five persons were killed? There is a group of a dozen of left leaning writers who are writing what they see as truth. And one can forecast what they will write on any event. Press has duty to convey opinions but it has to carry news without bias. Both must be separated but these days, the dividing line is getting blurred.
I think it is important for journalists to avoid financial transactions which could be questionable. It is here that Roy and his associates have faltered. If the conduct had been transparent there could not be allegations. Still they have the opportunity to go to the court although they are under investigation under the court order only. I know in Delhi dozens of journalists who waited outside my office for hours but now have Mercedes and I wait for taxi outside the premises of club. In getting rich, one need not follow Radia route that had mentioned a number of senior journalists indulging in wheeling dealing. Contact with powerful people is inevitable for media but to maintain ethic is great responsibility to the profession.
There are known places in Delhi where deal making is the job done by many journalists. They miss going with the PM to have a luxurious holiday abroad. Modi discontinued this lavish jamboree and is now considered “Autocratic”. It is not loss of drink and dine holiday but also opportunities of meeting deal makers. Freedom enjoins on media a great responsibility to maintain ethical conduct in writing and working so that one has reputation for sticking to norms.
Bus Stand
First Passenger: What government will do when anti-hail guns did not work in Shimla that is covered by by tonnes of hail?
Second Passenger: The government will have to order now anti-fail guns in place of anti-hail guns.
भारत मैट्रीमोनी पर अपना सही संगी चुनें – निःशुल्क रजिस्टर करें !
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