Mangalore: Legal workshop conducted for media men

Mangalore: Legal workshop conducted for media men

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 22, 2013: Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists Association in association with Mangalore Press Club organized a ‘Legal Workshop’ for the media representatives at Press Club on June 22, Saturday.

Speaking as the resource person, Advocate M V Shankar Bhat, spoke on different aspects of law. Speaking about Freedom of Press, Bhat said  the term Freedom of Press is nowhere mentioned in the Indian Constitution.  Article 19 of  Fundamental Rights mentions about  Freedom of Speech and Expression and it is on this basis that journalists speak about Freedom of Press, he said.

 

 

Referring to the Press Registration Act,  Bhat said if any content published in a newspaper defames a  person’s reputation,  then legal action can be taken against the editor. The Act also mentions that the names and identities of rape victims should  not be disclosed, but can be disclosed upon the consent of the victim’s family, he said.

As per the  Indian Penal Code,  newspapers cannot sing praises or defame any candidate and thereby influence the voters’ mind, he  further said.

Commenting on advertisements, Bhat said that the newspapers face allegations of going against law when they publish obscene advertisements depicting women in poor light and also advertisements pertaining to astrology and magic cure for ailments.

Deccan Herald Bureau Chief Ronald Anil Fernandes delivered the key note address. DKWJU President P B Harish Rai, welcomed the guests and gathering.