National
Bid to stall media council move flayed
By Our Special Correspondent
CHENNAI, JAN. 28. Former Press Council Chairman, Justice P.B. Sawant, today blamed the owners of television channels for stalling moves to bring in a legislation to constitute a media council covering all sections of the media.
``The draft legislation bringing all sections of the media, including the electronic media, under the purview of the Council was sent to the Government. But, the channel owners opposed it,'' Mr. Justice Sawant said, at a media interface at the Chennai Press Club here. He said he had stoutly opposed any move to allow foreign direct or indirect investment in the media. ``Media is the fourth estate and we cannot allow foreigners to run it''.
Stating that it was the media which largely flouted the directives of the Press Council, he said he had sought an amendment to empower the Council to initiate contempt proceedings against those failing to heed its fiat. As of now, the Council can only look into various complaints and pass orders, but cannot ensure the implementation of its directives.
Mr. Justice Sawant said television channels being promoted by political parties to pursue their political interest was an unfortunate trend, but there was no legal provision to curb them. Instead, a ``people's media'' should be developed to counter the political channels. ``I expected that the Prasar Bharti will emerge as a people's media. But, it is now only a Government media.''
As for the Press Council refusing to intervene in the arrest of Nakkeeran reporter, Sivasubramaniam, Mr. Justice Sawant maintained that the Council would not take up cases if they were sub judice.
To a question on the Tamil Nadu Government asking Bhaktavatsalam Commission of Inquiry to suggest restriction on media persons' movements at rallies and other events to ensure their safety, he said the media organisations could reject any recommendations made by the Commission on the issue.
Send this article to Friends by
E-Mail
National
|
