Media needs to sensitise itself: Ambika Soni

Government has no plans to curb the freedom of press but wants the self-regulatory system for electronic media to work with greater sensitivity to avoid media trials and vilification of individuals.

Making this clear, Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni said self-regulation was the advanced way of dealing with situations and an ideal solution to have in place.

"My directions from the government are -- strengthen, encourage self-regulation with greater sensitivity keeping in mind the viewers," she told PTI in an interview when she was asked whether there were any moves afoot to put curbs on media freedom as apprehended.

The apprehensions have arisen after the government recently announced guidelines under which renewal of licenses to TV channels after 10 years would be subject to their not violating any prescribed norms.

"I think the media needs to sensitise itself," she said.

She said that even though self-regulatory mechanism was already in place, there had been issues where people felt that there were media trials and vilification of individuals through media, sometimes damaging reputation beyond repair.

Referring to the Anna Hazare campaign, she said that in its coverage it was generally perceived that reporters became participants.

"I don't know if it was excitement of the atmosphere or something new which was seen by many people. But the way commentaries were made, the way the broadcasts were made, you all generated a hype which was larger than what I feel was."

Asked if self-regulatory mechanism should be still be given chance, Soni said "I have always spoken on that, that I would like self-regulatory system for electronic media to work with greater sensitivity. I insist on that.."

Noting that self-regulatory system was set up only in June, the I&B Minister who was a prime mover of this mechanism, said "it is too soon to say one way or other" in terms of its effectiveness.

"Immediately everything doesn't fall into place but given a chance to work, I think it is an ideal solution to have in place," Soni said.

With regard to comments by Press Council Chairman Justice (retd) Markandeya Katju that the government should set up a 'Media Council' to bring electronic media under its purview, she refrained from giving her views, merely saying that such a suggestion was before a Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.

When pointed out that Katju had been criticised by media, she suggested that the issue should be debated upon rather than rushing to attack him.

"Why don't we have debate? Immediately to start attacking the Chairman (Katju), I don't know... I feel that we are talking of self-regulatory as a utopian arrangement for intelligent, educated people in the 21st century," Soni said.

She recalled that there were year-long interactions with civil society before the self-regulatory body of Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC) was set up.

Asked whether she felt the attack on Katju was unfair, she responded, "there must be a meeting ground. He was only voicing what has been voiced before."

The Minister was referring to the demands by former Press Council Chairman Justice (retd) G N Ray that the media ombudsman should get more teeth and electronic media should be covered.