Freedom of Press has no value unless it benefits society, asserts Justice Katju

Freedom of Press has no value unless it benefits society, asserts Justice Katju

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Dec 5, 2012: Justice Markandeya Katju, Chairman of Press Council of India has said that Freedom of Press has no value in itself unless it benefits the masses.

Addressing the media at the SDM College Conference Hall in Mangalore on December 5, Wednesday, he said “I love media when it does well to people and hate it when it works only for profit. I am a democratic person.” At the same time he said he was not against media which has profit in mind, but against those who pursue the profession sans social responsibility.

 

 

Coming down heavily on those print and electronic media which   give  undue focus to minor issues and convert them into real issues, he strongly felt that the media will only be the enemy of the common man if it continues highlighting celebrity news like Aishwarya Rai giving birth to a baby or Kareena Kapoor getting married to Saif. “Media cannot serve the society if it goes after money and increasing TRP rating,” Justice Katju warned.

 

 

 

 

“How can the news like an actress getting pregnant steal the show in a country where 47 per cent children are malnourished and 47 farmers commit suicide every day?” Justice Katju wondered. While delving on this issue, he even recollected an occasion where 512 journalists were covering an event in Mumbai that showcased cotton, while there were only a few media men to cover the plight of the farmers in Vidarbha who grew cotton.

Continuing, Justice Katju said he did not mean to emphasize the need to control the media, but there was surely a need for ‘regulation,’ he asserted. "If there can be Medical Council for doctors and Bar Council for lawyers, why aren’t the journalists open to regulation?," he questioned.

Adding that he was aware of the fact that electronic media considered him their enemy and that he was trying to clip freedom of the Press, he said, "They must realize that no right can be absolute. There should be reasonable amount of restriction. The council should be a statutory body having the right to punish the people.”

Katju said that he has been the greatest supporter of Freedom of Press and at the same time a critic of Press. Referring to the paid news issue, he said the practice was rampant and equally shameful. “I always describe media representatives as Lord Hanuman who served Lord Ram, as they (media) likewise have to serve the common man. I liken myself to  Jambavan who assists the media,” Justice Katju said.” Media must always spread scientific and rational ideas and combat superstition and communalism which are sheer nonsense,” he asserted. Media is not above law and any media or media men who involve in extortion and blackmail should face action, Justice Katju further said.

Press Council of India Member Rajeev Ranjanath and SDM Law College Principal BK Ravindra were present.