The Press Council of India, a quasi-judicial body that oversees the functioning of print media, wants to adjudicate over the electronic media as well. It is in consultation with the Information & Broadcasting Ministry (I&B) over its long-standing demand to be converted into the Media Monitoring Commission of India, arguing that principles of good journalism, ethics, morality and freedom of speech apply to both print and electronic media in equal measure and hence, the two should be held to the same standards of accountability.
“This proposal was first put forth by former chairman Justice Sawant in 2000 but the government then had turned it down. The council, however, stuck to it over the years. The proposal is now under active discussion with the I&B Ministry,” said a senior Press Council member.

In its proposal to the government, the council has also said that the print media was by and large more responsible compared to television channels, and the code of conduct defined under Section 13(2) of the Press Council Act, 1978, must apply to broadcasters too.

The new Press Council chairman, Justice (retd) Markandey Katju, confirmed to The Indian Express that there was a move to bring the electronic media under the council’s purview, “and to give it more teeth”. He added that the council needs the teeth “not to bite but to deter the offenders”.

“There is a growing perception in the country — among the government, the private sector and the intelligentsia — that a certain section of the media has been extremely irresponsible in its conduct. They tend to misreport, misinform and sensationalise things. Such lapses need to be taken seriously and the offenders need to be reined in,” he said.

At a meeting with some senior editors on October 10, Katju had said that there were two ways to remove “defects” that have crept into the media. “One is a democratic way, that is by discussions, consultations and persuasion, which is the method I prefer. The other way is by using harsh measures against the media e.g. by imposing heavy fines on the defaulters, stopping government advertisements for them, suspending their licence, etc.”

Stressing that all ills can be redeemed through conversations, discussions and other democratic processes, he said the council will resort to harsh measures only in extreme cases. “I wouldn’t want to use a danda (stick) ordinarily, but I am not going to lie under a carpet either,” he said. “I will sit with senior editors, including those of the electronic media, because at the end of the day, they are also in the same profession and need to follow the same principles of good journalism as their print counterparts.”

Such meetings, he added, could take place every two or three months.

Seeking more teeth for itself from the government, the council has said that provisions should be made to make it mandatory for media organisations to implement the council’s recommendations within a stipulated time, and that any persistent non-compliance must be dealt with seriously. It has also suggested stopping of government advertising and suspension of licences as punitive measures against the offenders.

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