Skip to main content

National Press Day 16 Nov: An occasion for practicing media persons to introspect

By Nava Thakuria*  

Even though the Indian media fraternity observes National Press Day on 16 November commemorating the day since when the Press Council of India (PCI) starts functioning, it's unfortunate that the quasi-judicial body still has no authority over news channels and digital media outlets. While rich tributes are paid to everyone who contributed to the growth of print media and also its mentor & watchdog (PCI), it should be an occasion for the practicing media persons to introspect seriously over their noble profession, where it has actually been heading in the post-Covid-19 era.
Since its inception and functioning, the PCI continues to symbolize a free and responsible press in the largest democracy of the world. Among all press or media councils, functioning in various countries, the PCI is recognized as a unique entity that exercises authority over the media and also safeguards independence of the press. Under the Press Council Act 1965, various relevant functions such as helping newspapers to maintain their independence and building up a code of conduct for newspapers and journalists in accordance with high professional standards are being authorized for the PCI. Undoubtedly, the sole aim of journalism should be the service to humanity. Till the last century, newspapers dominated the media scenario, but lately it has witnessed a drastic fall in the circulation of printed newspapers. The newspaper industry is actually struggling for survival after the invasion of satellite television channels and digital outlets.
Since the days of Arunodoi (1846), northeast India has witnessed the publication of a good number of morning dailies in various languages. Prior to the pandemic, Guwahati supported the publication of around 30 dailies with hundreds of periodicals. But the endless corruption among many editors and a visibly low space for the valued readers/audience/viewers to make their official points even in need have steadily ruined the sacred profession. Once the quality internet becomes available to the common people, a large number of social media users start questioning the professional journalists and the professional media persons were seemingly not ready for that. Rejection to social media terming it a nuisance by a number of print-editors has also deteriorated the situation. In the recent past, altogether three Guwahati-based television journalists (who started careers as print journalists) were named and shamed in social media as being beneficiaries of the National Register of Citizens updation scam in Assam scam.
At least one prominent filmmaker identified a television talk show host in his facebook post that the scribe had grabbed a huge amount of money which was due for the temporary workers (data entry operators) in the process. The accused television journalist aggressively supported the draft NRC in various official appearances (reasons best known to him), even though it still faces many pertinent questions ranging from its cut-off year (1971) to inclusion of millions of illegal Bangladeshi migrants. In a public comment, the tainted scribe even compared those who support 1951 as the cut-off year to identify the infiltrators in Assam (as it is done across the country) as idiots.
Lately a senior print journalist in his post claimed that the accused scribe even spent money in the local press club election to get an executive committee of his choice. Need not to mention that the concerned electoral exercise was a visible expensive affair to the common city residents as well. A large number of leading print journalists were denied their membership, so that they could not participate in the election, neither as candidates nor voters. Rumours were spread that a powerful politician was behind their mission, which turned false later.
In both cases, when thousands of alternate media users accused the journalist and press club authority of corruption and mismanagement, they remained silent. Months back, a list of beneficiaries from the coal mafia went viral in social media where some journalists and press associations were named. Amazingly, they did not make any response. PCI should have intervened in all those matters for the sack of India’s media fraternity, but it has limited authority. Thus, existence of the statutory body has been denied by those dishonest media persons. What more we are waiting for!
---
*Senior journalist based in Guwahati

Comments

TRENDING

Global Ambedkarites in deep shock over killing of Buddhist Ambedkarite youth in Nanded

Joint  Ambedkar International Mission and Ambedkar Association of North America statement on killing of an Ambedkarite Buddhist youth for celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti (birth anniversary) in his village on 1st June 2023 in Bondhar Haveli village, Nanded, Maharashtra: *** Every single public event hosted by any social or political organization in Maharashtra is not completed without citing Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and yet an Ambedkarite Buddhist youth, Akshay Bhalerao was brutally murdered for celebrating Dr Ambedkar Jayanti in the village Bondhar, Nanded, Maharashtra by dominant caste goons. Caste Atrocities are common in such villages where the Scheduled Castes and Buddhists are daily humiliated, mocked, or abused with caste slurs and women subjected to sexual violence. 

How this top Maoist leader couldn't extricate completely from the Left adventurist line

By Harsh Thakor  On the 31st of May Katakam Sudarshan, known as Comrade Anand, breathed his last, at the age of 69. Anand was a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) and an important leader of the revolutionary movement of India.

Discussion on making school education meaningful to vulnerable communities

ActionAid note on workshop to boost National Curriculum Framework operations: *** Leading educationists and activists striving to make education meaningful to vulnerable communities gathered in Delhi to discuss the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCFSE). Acting in response to the call of the NCF Steering Committee appointed by the Ministry of Education, Government of India, ActionAid Association had organised the meeting to gather feedback on the draft NCFSE. This is part of ActionAid Association’s commitment to promote inclusive and gender-responsive education. The two-day national workshop titled ‘NCF Perspectives: Seeking Feedback on National Curriculum Framework (NCF)’ on May 30 and 31, 2023, was held at India International Centre, New Delhi. The workshop aimed to ensure a structured approach to gathering feedback from key stakeholders and enhancing their active participation in shaping the response sought by the Government of India. Stakeholders representing e

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Release of dabang neta: Rule of law can't be allowed to be slave to political rhetoric

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  When we look to politicians for solutions and politics as the 'final solution' for every evil then we are disappointed most of the time. In politics, we knowingly or unknowingly become part of the propaganda tool of the ruling elite which exists everywhere across different castes. We often provide issues and talk about them in binaries which suit our elites. The minorities among the marginalised who have no political space and representation rarely get heard by these majoritarian parties whose agenda remain power communities. Every political party in today's time is following the 'successful' formula of 'democracy' which is keeping the 'powerful' 'jaatis' with them leaving aside the marginalised one. The BJP started this but yes they cobbled together all other communities too through a diverse narrative.

J&K RTI activist denied opportunity to address audience, bring forward critical issues

Statement by Er. Irfan Banka, Founder of J&K RTI Foundation and convener of the Nalae Ferozpora Bachav Movement, regarding the incident of official misconduct during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program and communication to Raj Bhavan: *** Er. Irfan Banka, a prominent RTI Activist and advocate, has come forward to address an incident of misconduct that occurred during the My Town My Pride Jan Abhiyan Program held at Mugam Town Hall in  Budgam. Additionally, Er. Irfan Banka has communicated the matter to Raj Bhavan, seeking appropriate action. During the event, Er. Irfan Banka was denied the opportunity to address the audience and bring forward critical issues concerning the people and services in the community, including waste management, traffic management, and the achievement of sustainable development goals. The incident involved the Additional Registrar Co-operative Kashmir, who not only prevented Er. Irfan Banka from speaking but also subjected him to public humiliation. E

Why are 17 Indian cos, including Sterlite, blacklisted by Norway bank

By Venkatesh Nayak* Readers may recall the gory incidents that took place at Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) in Tamil Nadu in the southern part of India on 22 May, 2018. Thirteen protesters died on the spot when the police opened fire to disperse an assemblage of thousands of local residents and representatives of civil society groups. They were protesting against the adverse environmental impact of the industrial operations of Sterlite Copper which runs a copper smelter plant in the area. Accusations against the company have ranged from polluting local water resources to plans for expanding the installed capacity of the plant without the necessary environmental clearances. A ground report published in The Wire recently, mentions the decision taken by Norges Bank a few years ago to not invest funds from Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global (GPFG) in Sterlite “due to an unacceptable risk of complicity in current and future severe environmental damage and systematic human rights violations

Sengol imbroglio suggests reason why Modi, BJP don't respect modern Indian history

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  The new parliament building opened on February 28. It looks it is not the Parliament but part of #Pratinidhisabhas ' started by earstwhile #princelystates in India. The #BJP for long has been acting as if India is a #Kingdom and Modi ji the new #King of India. Even at the coronations of Kings, you find a large number of people, and dignitaries but look at the opening ceremony we have only one face as if he build everything. Is it the dream of a republic.

Danger ahead: Smartphones making teens sexually smart, but mentally disturbed

By Harasankar Adhikari  We live in a digitally globalised society. Bombarded consumerism and imitation of foreign cultures and practises reshape our everyday lives. Life choices and lifestyles are the driving forces of modernity at present. People of almost all ages are within this realm and rhythm of consumerism for happiness.

Cave of Spleen - a feminist perspective: Status of women in early 18th century England

The Cave of Spleen: Aubrey Beardsley's illustration for Pope's “The Rape of the Lock” By Pragya Ranjan  "The Rape of the Lock" by Alexander Pope published in 1712 is a mock-heroic narrative which satirically glorifies trivial incident of cutting of locks of protagonist Belinda. This poem was written in the Augustan Era (1660-1784) which is marked by the period of scientific reason and rationality, whose effect can be seen on the writers of those times. This timeline is particularly important to analyse the episode of the Cave of Spleen.