Mangalore : Speaking at the press meet held at SDM College conference Hall on Dec 5, Wednesday Justice Markandeya Katju, Chairman of Press Council of India said that Freedom of Press itself has no value, but will have value only if it will help the people.
He also said India is presently going through the fire because of the nature is passing through a terrible transition period. If the media just go after money and increasing TRP rating, then they are not serving the people.
Today freedom of press is not good only if media is working to harm the people or make them poor, divert the attention of the people on social issues.
Media mostly focus small issues and change into real issues. If the media is highlighting the celebrity news Aishwarya Rai giving birth to a baby or Kareena Kappor getting married to Saif Ali Khan, then the media will act as the enemy to the common people.
He stated that if India beat Pakistan in the cricket match, then there is not lead to focus and give as the front page news, since such kind of news will not reduce poverty or unemployment in India, but it will only publicize the India Cricket team who will be benefitted.
Recalling the event, he said that he remember that 512 journalists were covering a fashion event in Mumbai that showcased cotton but there was only a few persons to cover the plight to the farmers in Vidarbha who grew the cotton that’s yarn made the fabric.
He added that in a country where 47% children were malnourished which is worse than some sub-Saharan countries and 47 farmers commit suicide every day, how news like an actress getting pregnant steal the show.
Justice Katju clarified that he didn’t mean to emphasize on the need to control the media but stated that there was surely a need for regulation. “If there can be medical council for doctors, bar council for lawyers why aren’t the journalists open to regulation,” he questioned. The paid news is rampant and is a shameful act, where journalists do and highlight wrong things for money.
I always refer media representatives as Lord Hanuman, who served Lord Hanuman, likewise media people serve the common people and he plays the role of Jamabavan, who will assist the media people, he said.
Media must always spread scientific and rational ideas and combat superstition and communalism which are sheer nonsense.
Katju said that he is not against the media who is making money, but against the media, who is making money by harming people without any social responsible.
Press Council of India member Rajeev Ranjannath, SDM principal BK Ravindra were present on the dias.