IN COLD STORAGE
Ratheesh Kaliyadan
Considering the commission's recommendation,Press Council of India was established as a "statutory,quasi judicial body which acts as a watchdog of the press. It adjudicates the complaints against and by the press for violation of ethics and for violation of the freedom of the press respectively".What is the status of India ethical press today?
During observing national press day this year, almost news papers published an advertisement of the press council. The ad is a pledge which indicates a loss in the gravity of maintaining ethics. The pledge proclaims that "on this National Press Day Our Newspaper reiterates its commitment to free,fair and ethical journalism". The background framed by discourses on Paid News and actions/warnings against certain newspapers on the ground of violating press ethics for publishing such a pledge.
Recent Actions by press
Press Council which met at New Delhi on February 22, 2010 under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.N. Ray censured Rana Pratap and Lok Sewa of Ludhiana, Punjab; warned Andhra Bhoomi and Vaartha, Hyderabad and Roznama Rashtriya Sahara, Noida; and cautioned Times of India and Metro Now, New Delhi for violating the norms of journalistic Editors, Rana Pratap and Lok Sewa of Ludhiana in a complaint filed by Shri Surinder Pal conduct and misusing the press freedom. The Press Council adjudicated 27 complaints against the press and 13 complaints by the press against the authorities. Censuring the & Others, Advocates of Ludhiana for publication of unauthorized advertisements and raising bogus bills by the respondent newspapers, the Council observed that the respondents had in past also been brought before the Council with similar charges of publication of unauthorized advertisements by lifting them from another magazine and demanding payment for such advertisements, and had failed to defend the same. The Council found that the acts of the respondents were not only against the journalistic conduct but also illegal. Furthermore, both the periodicals were not in conformity with Section 11 and Section 9(d) of the Press & Registration of Books Act, 1867
On Paid News
The Press Council of India in its meeting held on July 30, 2010 under the chairmanship of Hon’ble Mr. Justice G.R. Ray has placed in the public domain its Report on the issue of ‘Paid News’. Concerned over the serious dimensions acquired by the phenomenon of payment for news in the media in the General Elections 2009, the Council not only took cognizance of the matter suo motu but also considered representations from various eminent persons. The analysis of its Sub-Committee was studied by the Drafting Committee to prepare the final Report of the Council that was adopted on 30th July, 2010.The Report defines Paid News as “Any news or analysis appearing in any media (Print & Electronic) for a price in cash or kind as consideration”.
The Report records that “Sections of the media in India have willynilly become participants and players in such practices that contribute to the growing use of money power in politics which undermines democratic processes and norms – while hypocritically pretending to occupy a high moral ground. This has not merely undermined democracy in India but also tarnished the country’s reputation.
Pledge in cold storage!
News paper managers are so intelligent to publish the pledge in an unnoticing way as considering as a govt. advertisement in the midst of conjusted media matters and revenue generating ads or not by translating in vernacular languages. well done think tanks,well done!
These are because of loosing the spirit of the theme of the pledge advertisement.The very action and mindset of media managers indicate the pathetic situation of indian ethical journalism. No mainstreme media in Kerala provided a space to the day's observations. No op-ed pages dedicated to discuss the importance of the day and the theme focused.Actually the national press day is an important platform to discuss the ongoing status of ethical press and to correct mistakes. Once again our media proclaims that we are behind profit and moneyism.
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