Many of the laws have lagged behind even as society has moved on at a fast pace. It is time we change them, Chanakya National Law University Vice-Chancellor Ayyalasomayajula Lakshminath has said.
Delivering the keynote address at a seminar on justice, law and media organised by Greater Visakhapatnam chapter of the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists here on Sunday, the professor of law, who is also Chancellor of Damodaram Sanjivayya National Law University, said that laws were based on public opinion. The media has a big role in moulding public opinion and giving a feedback from the public to the law makers, he added.
“Freedom of Press is essential to strengthen democracy,” he asserted and cited the role of Press in exposing wrongdoings of persons in power. Press plays an important role in purifying democracy by exposing the wrong doings.
Explaining the evolution of principle of justice, he said Amartya Sen’s conceptualisation of minimising injustice was more valid in today’s society.
Professional ethics“Media is now under public scrutiny basically due to the failure of media professionals in following ethics,” Visalandhra Editor and senior journalist union leader K. Sreenivas Reddy said and called upon the media practitioners to follow professional ethics.
It was unfortunate that freedom of Press has become freedom of media managements, he said. The intolerance of the ruling class which has resorted to bringing pressure on the media professionals through the channel of ‘paid news’ and other means resulted in putting the profession in peril, he said.
Freedom of Press was essential for the development of society and country, Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G.S.N. Raju said. The institutions too should encourage the Press freedom to ensure transparency in administration and ensure that it serves the public.
APUWJ president Somsundar, secretary I.V. Subba Rao, senior journalists and members of the APUWJ attended.
