The Hindu : National : `Do not blame institution for individual's conduct'

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Saturday, Dec 09, 2006
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`Do not blame institution for individual's conduct'

Special Correspondent

Somnath Chatterjee

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee on Friday urged the media not to condemn an institution because of the irresponsible conduct of some individuals or groups who represented it. Addressing a predominantly media gathering after presenting the IPI-India Award to Indian Express here, he said the media's responsibility should not end with criticism of the aberrations and pitfalls in the system, of which the media themselves were an essential component.

"A healthy democratic culture can be brought about only if those who indulge in or abet [in] activities or behaviour incompatible with the established norms are made to account for such conduct individually or as groups, separating them from the institutions they happen to be associated with. An attitude of carpet-bombing is not going to help the system,'' Mr. Chatterjee elaborated.

Pointing out that the media had a crucial role in strengthening democracy and in ensuring good governance, the Speaker said: "At the same time, the press has to see that it exercises its power for the ultimate good of society and not out of any personal vendetta. We want our press to be fearless and unbiased, and at the same time, [it] should abjure mere sensationalism and projections based on its own predilections."

Referring to reports on "Parliament waiting for a confrontation with the judiciary," Mr. Chatterjee said: "Parliament has been one of the most harmonising institutions in the country and it believes in a healthy relationship with other organs of the state. It does not help our polity if an impression is created that Parliament is at odds with any other organ of the state.... Democracy is not a war, but is a well thought-out system where institutions have to work together to take the country forward.''

Similar sentiments were articulated by the former Chief Justice of India, Justice A. S. Anand, who said the three wings of the state functioning in complete harmony was imperative for the progress of the nation. Maintaining that judicial review was a constitutional fundamental, he said the courts, while exercising this power, should "exercise proper restraint and base their decisions on recognised doctrines or principles of law''. They should not overstep their limits "because to them is assigned the sacred duty of guarding the Constitution."

Instituted by the India chapter of the International Press Institute, the award with a cash component of Rs. 2 lakh and a trophy was given to Indian Express for the Bihar flood scam series by Varghese George and the `Missing Tigers' story by Jay Mazoomdar.

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