The Hindu : Other States / Rajasthan News : `Law must on right to publish'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jan 05, 2005

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Other States - Rajasthan

`Law must on right to publish'

By Our Special Correspondent

JAIPUR, JAN. 4. The president of the Indian Language Newspaper Association, Kundan R. Vyas has sought a legislation on right to publish, to go with the newly enacted Right to Information Act. "Both together will bring transparency in the Government functioning. It should be our privilege to publish. There should be a campaign to press for this,'' he said here today.

Delivering the Pandit Jhabarmall Sharma memorial lecture, Mr. Vyas, also the Chief Editor of Janmabhoomi newspaper, however said the media would have to further improve its credibility and show responsibility towards presentation of news and views. The lecture series is an annual programme organized jointly by Rajasthan Patrika daily and the Makhanlal Chaturvedi National Journalism University, Bhopal.

The race for faster delivery of news by the media, especially by the electronic media, was affecting both credibility and accuracy, Mr. Vyas noted. Besides, the print media, flustered with the cut-throat competition from the television channels and the internet news sites, was getting more entertainment-centric, forgetting its basic role of informing, educating and guiding the readers, he said.

The position of the Indian print media correspondents perhaps would not be any better than those in the United States where a recent Gallup poll had found them rated below motor mechanics in credibility, Mr. Vyas noted.

Mr. Vyas blamed the television channels for ushering in the trend of irresponsible journalism. "I don't have anything against TV channels but it would be in the interest of the country if there is some curb on these channels, and on the use of internet which is corrupting our children,'' he said adding that he was not against the use of technology but against its misuse.

Talking about the desirability of so many 24 hour news channels, Mr. Vyas said more often the news was repetitive. "They are already in excess while another 50 are in the pipeline,'' he said. "This when only 32 per cent of the Indian TV viewers are interested in watching news and out of them 11 per cent want to watch news relevant for them only. Among those who watch news, 70 per cent are men,'' he pointed out quoting a recent BBC survey.

Blaming the TV channels for spread of violence in Gujarat in the post-Godhra period, Mr. Vyas said it was the responsibility of the fourth estate to act in the overall interest of the country and society. It should promote social justice and ensure stability, equality, peace, progress and well being, he argued. The media should have a long-term perspective and uphold social values, he said.

Justice Milap Chand Jain, former Lokayukt of Rajasthan, in his presidential address supported the main speaker's demand for enactment of a law on "right to publish''. "Right to Information Act is not enough. There should be a law to ensure publication of relevant material,'' Justice Jain, who headed the Jain Commission on Rajiv Gandhi assassination case noted. Justice Jain also hailed the media as the "first'' among the four pillars of democracy.

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`Law must on right to publish'