my letter to the editor Deccan Herald

This was my letter to the editor Deccan Herald on 4May which was published subsequently on 5May 2012 morning in Bangalore  edition .

letters@deccanherald.co.in

Sir,

This is regarding the injunction by the veteran writer and columnist Kuldip Nayer- "Don't stifle the media" which appeared in Deccan Herald today.

I have great respect for Kuldip Nayar as the champion of freedom of Press but I was surprised to find him joining issue over the matter with the Supreme Court .What is the harm if the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in genuine interest, thought it fit to endeavor for the first time to lay down guidelines for the Press and media ? If the Founding fathers of the Indian Constitution could lay down guidelines for all successive Governments in the Indian democracy to pursue and follow the Directive Principles of State Policy in its governance then why should not the Supreme Court or the Indian Parliament can frame certain cardinal principles which should be practiced and followed by the Press ?. Many times we find that the television media and media as a whole have exceeded its limits of freedom of Press in highlighting a story completely based on their conjecture to sensationalize an issue in which a particular group of politicians, corporate group or a particular person is interested .In India media is owned by corporate groups and persons and they have their own policies and agendas and political leanings . It is therefore necessary that the Press should be open to healthy and constructive criticism in exercise of its right of freedom of expression or freedom of Press .

After all it is the Press in the last resort where ordinary citizen prefers to seek justice against the excesses of executive or poor performance by the legislature or miscarriage of justice by judiciary, but if the citizen finds that his "last resort" has also become corrupt with prejudices then the future of democracy is certainly in danger and freedom expression is in peril.

Regards,

GP Bahuguna