Mangalore, June 22, 2013: Dakshina Kannada Working Journalists conducted a ‘Legal Workshop’ for the media at on June 22, Saturday.
Advocate M V Shankar Bhat participated as the resource person and said that the similarities between journalists and lawyers are learning and ethics.
Bhat said that said law is as clear as science. The act, rule, sections, notification in Constitution is all clear. Journalists think that they have got Freedom of Press, but the term Freedom of Press is not mentioned in Indian Constitution. An Article 19 of Indian Constitution mentions Freedom of Speech and Expression and on that basis journalists claim to have freedom.
Bhat said that there is no Fundamental Rights within ourselves, but we can control Freedom of Expression for various reasons like defamation, contempt of court and sedition.
Advocate said that if any material published in the newspaper which defames the person’s reputation, then editor will be taken legal action, as per the Press Registration Act.
It is also mentioned in the act that if a girl has been raped, the media must not reveal her name and identity until she or her family agrees. According to Indian Penal Code, during election a newspaper is not supposed to praise or defame the candidate that can change the thought of voters against the candidate, he added.
Commenting on advertisements, Bhat said that the newspaper have said to violate the law when it publishes obscene advertisements of women and astrology and magic curing advertisement.
Deccan Herald Bureau Chief Ronald Anil Fernandes delivered the key note address. DKWJU president P B Harish Rai, welcomed the guests and gathering.