The Hindu : Go to Press Council, scribes told

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 01, 2004

New Delhi

New Delhi

Go to Press Council, scribes told

By Our Staff Reporter

NEW DELHI, FEB. 29. The Delhi High Court has disposed of the long pending dispute between the Indian Federation of Working Journalists and the National Union of Journalists, on the one hand and the Working News Cameramen Association and the Press Association on the other, questioning the recognition accorded by the Press Council of India to the latter.

In view of the impending reconstitution of the 9th Press Council of India, the Delhi High Court has asked these organisations to raise their objections, if any, before the Council.

Mr. Justice M.S. Sarin, while disposing of these petitions filed by the IFWJ and the NUJ, has asked the Press Council to consider the objections raised by these bodies and dispose them of with reasoned orders. Press Association and Working News cameramen Association are also given liberty to raise objections, if any, to the candidature of IFWJ and NUJ.

Counsels for the Press Association, M.N. Krishnamani and Rakesh Khanna, vehemently opposed the contentions while suggesting that since the terms of the 8th Council was coming to an end, it would be better if the matter was left to it. The petitioners' counsels agreed to the suggestion.

On the prayer made by the petitioners for inspection of applications of the Associations and their members, the Court said, "It would be for the Press Council to grant the inspection in accordance with the rules". Counsel for the Press Council has informed the Court that it had no objections in this regard.

The petitioners have agreed to raise all objections against the recognition of any Association or its members before the Press Council. The IFWJ and the NUJ had sought quashing of the Press Council's notification dated January 25, 2001, recognising the Working News Cameramen Association and the Press Association as being violative of the eligibility rules.

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