Free press was akin to a “thermometer” in checking the health of a democracy, Nobel Peace laureate Kailash Satyarthi said on Wednesday.
“A thermometer”
Speaking at the International Press Institute’s India award ceremony, Mr. Satyarthi called for enhanced media focus on child slavery and trade — issues he believes are “under-reported”. “Freedom of press is a thermometer to understand the health of a democracy and society,” he said in his address.
Rabi Banerjee of The Week and Varun Bhatt of Hindi daily Rajasthan Patrika were honoured.
Law of defamation
In his address, N. Ravi, the Chairman of the India chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), expressed his disappointment over the Supreme Court upholding the validity of the law of defamation. He also flagged concern over the growing tendency of organised groups taking offence at perceived slights to them.
“Anti-nationals”
Senior Editor and IPI fellow Philip Mathew highlighted the perils of “misinformation” spread on social media, a space where “rumours are sold as truth”. He termed it as an “echo-chamber” of idea and views, besides condemning the practice of dubbing journalists, who do not toe a certain ideological line, and “even cricket commentators” as “anti-nationals”.
Mr. Banerjee bagged the award for his interview of Irom Sharmila, in which it was revealed for the first time that she wanted to give up her prolonged fast and take up politics. Mr. Bhatt received the award for his report exposing the apathy of authorities in fulfilling promises to build a memorial for 1,500 tribals killed during the freedom struggle at Mangadh in Rajasthan. The award carries a cash prize of ₹1 lakh, a trophy and a citation.
