Regulation debate rages
Source: The Sangai Express / Press Trust of India
New Delhi, November 16 2011:
The debate over media regulation hotted up today with Vice President Hamid Ansari and Press Council Chief Markandey Katju pitching for a regulatory authority and Government saying self-regulation was the "best way forward" .
Ansari, Katju and Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni utilised the occasion of National Press Day celebrations in their speeches to give their assessment on the issue of media regulation.
In the absence of any other Government regulator, Ansari said the focus has shifted to self-regulation by media organisations, individually or collectively, which he added is yet to succeed as "it is neither universal nor enforceable" .
"Individual self-regulation has also failed due to personal predilection and the prevailing of personal interest over public interest," he said.
Referring to objections to having any media regulation, Ansari questioned if the constitutional safeguards on freedom of speech be used to evade regulation of the commercial persona of media corporates and groups.
"Where does public interest end and private interest begin?" Katju on his part was dismissive about the self-regulatory mechanism proposed by the broadcast media, insisting they must come under some regulatory authority which could be of its choice.
The former Supreme Court judge said if TV channels did not want to come under the Press Council they could choose another body and mentioned the proposed Lokpal in this regard.
Justice(retd) Katju said if media says they will be self-regulated then the same principle may apply for politicians and bureaucrats too.