The Executive Committee of the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) has taken strong objection to the remarks made by Press Council of India Chairman Justice Markandey Katju in a television interview and in subsequent statements issued by him to the press. At its meeting here on Thursday, the Executive Committee “noted with dismay that the Chairman's remarks demonstrated a deep bias against members of the Fourth Estate.”
At the meeting of the Press Council of India, four publisher-members from the INS — R. Lakshmipathy (Dinamalar),V.K. Chopra (Filmi Duniya),Sanjay Gupta (Dainik Jagran)and Vijay Kumar Chopra (Punjab Kesari)— strongly protested against Mr. Justice Katju's remarks that he “has a poor opinion of the media” and that the “majority of media people are of very poor intellectual level with no idea of economic theory or political science, philosophy, literature.”
Since Mr. Justice Katju refused to withdraw his remarks, the publisher-members walked out in protest. “I told them that I would not change my stand under threat,” said Mr. Justice Katju. “You cannot pressure me, you cannot push me around…I told them that if they wanted to walk out, it was their choice.”
Media barons,Editors Guild,PCI members , journalists groups &INS members , please take note : Citizens know the mass media in India have become outlets for corporate & political “messaging,”- much of it overtly biased , un-scientific, and ultimately not good for the society or nation in the long run. We need a media that puts the citizens (people ), the nation and the planet first, not corporates and politicians self interests. We need a media that emphasises holistic approach to development - not just economic growth for statistics , but also well being of Indian society as a whole.
We need a media that emphasise our economic growth be re-ordered to recreate a sense of community, trust, and environmental sustainability- not trumpetting GDP growth for statistics. Instead of eulogising most unworthy politicians & persistent, vacuous and unsophisticated gossip , we need you to devote space or time daily to questioning & thought provoking programmes, good for society.
Almost 100% of the readers who have responded to the various reports in the print and tv media concerning Mr KATJU's statements , are in support of Mr Katju’s views –that INDIAN MEDIA needs a watchdog . The disillusionment of the viewers/ readers with the persistent, vacuous , unsophisticated gossip & ‘paid-news’ in the media is total . Most citizens also feel & rightly so , large sections of Indian media while hypocritically pretending to occupy a high moral ground are actually culpable in the growing corporate-political nexus & use of money power in politics. Radia tapes expose & 'paid -news scanda are testimony .To those who matter in the Indian media who would like to lend their ears,- “That vested interests are misusing media is very true . The churning happening in India over the issue of cleaning up media is good for the country, and we as a nation should seize this moment to bring about a real change ."
Walkout is no way to deal with it, if you disagree, debate with reason and convince the other party. threatening and walk out proves the very point Justice Katju is harping about, poor intellectual level. Personally, I think Justice Katju is 100 % correct.
I agree with Judge Katju. His views are the exact reflection of what we see on the ground. These people don't have any journalistic standards and hence don't have any right to criticize Mr Katju.
Funny that even a 'Filmi Duniya' guy had to come in a group of four -- good to see that Justice Katju did not pay any heed to the desperate and childish gimmicks and theatrics of these people. Justic Katju has the overwhelming support of all the right thinking people -- he must continue articulating his objectives clearly on liberty as well as responsibility.
Media should not try to bully Justice Katju, he is just resonating the views of millions of Indians. It should amend its ways rather than attacking the messenger.
Hats-off to justice katju......... He is a man who has shown this corrupt media its true place.....
It is very sad situation that good ideas are not well received.
I personally am with Justice Katju. The so called Fourth Estate is on a self- destruct and they should be willing to look at themselves if there's so much public opinion about their ways of functioning.
Intellectual arrogance of educated elite springs out even from 'Honourable'judges !
I agree with Justice Katju. Sadly, the Indian Media still needs to mature....sensationalism with no depth is it's selling point. When will this change??
When self proclaimed self regulation has not worked, there should be a whip. There is whip in every sphere. Why media is refusing to submit to some kind of restraint and reform which Justice Katju is trying to convince. He is not imposing his personal views. He is giving voice to an opinion which is widespread but subdued because of fear of incurring media displeasure. He has rightly remarked that he “has a poor opinion of the media” and that the "majority of media people are of very poor intellectual level with no idea of economic theory or political science, philosophy, literature."
Truth is sometimes bitter!
In my insignificant humble life, at an early age I learnt, it is impossible to fight truth. We can kill a lie but not truth. To chain media is impossible, more so today, with IT network. The exercise we are now carrying out will be a step forward. Debating media's working , like we are doing with corruption. Some said 2G had a zero loss or Anna is corrupt were put up by news outlets. There was no lack of intelligence but a mischief. Are we not having a lot of soft porno in many media outlets. Why ? To exploit body chemistry of the readers. Similarly political masala is created and corporate bates sold at media outlets, for making money. Mr Katju used the wrong phrase! Mischief is the word not intelligence! Your walking out is mischief, face the challenge by reasoning, that is your job! Establish the truth. Let us keep this debate alive and establish the truth and correct the situation. Is the media, society and the Government ready? Are media outlets serving the country right !!
mr katju is 100% right in his observations. print media-so long as you are looking to survive on sensationalism with your below caliber so called journalists you are doomed. go improve your standards instead of harping on mr katzu's remarks. shame on you guys. absolutely irresponsible conduct on your part and below standard reporting. sorry to say this.actually mr katzu is trying to help you improve your standards.
New inspiring essay is what we hold in high esteem. Of course matrix is same, common to us and the leading newspapers who, by the way, are seen these days getting more and more sharp gaining on pornographic profiles! They have picked up every scrap of western dirt and filth in the art of reporting news. As such they are hopeless, disgustingly low of intellect as recently brought to public notice by none less than the 'herculean' Chairman of the Press Council of India, the Justice M.Katju. These journalists deserve public boot, not their subscriptions! Boycott is the answer to them and their lowly passage upon earth. Excerpt from an essay SEMINAL SEMANTICS due for publication in INDIA REDEEMING- Education & Literary Quarterly(Solan, HP)
The walkout from the meeting by the four publisher members of the INS shows their poor tolerance of criticism . Even after Mr. Justice Katju has clarified his stand , as the Protest by the media continues , a vast majority of the people have extended their support for his efforts to make the media responsible. Dinamalar publisher is justified in lodging his strong protest as Mr. Justice Katju's remarks squarely applies to the vernacular published by him . He could take credit for such poor intellectual level in reporting news . I was a regular reader of the vernacular daily but I had to stop reading his publication long back . When these people have unbridled freedom without any regulation whatsoever people like me have no option but to stop subscribing his publication . But no one could stop these people from perpetuating the superstitions , belief in Astrology , etc .
Justice is right at least on this reading about the press. It just fills news and magzines with news from film industry ignoring every other intellectual items. There discuission of political events is always biased. Social issues are never discussed in secular press.
I think that the INS members really need to take a good look in the mirror. I peruse a spectrum of Indian dailies. My opinion matches Justice Katju's. If you compare popular foreign dailies (BBC, Guardian, NYT, WP, WSJ, Christian Science Monitor) to major Indian Dailies (TOI, IE, Pioneer, HT, DH, Paanchjanya), the chasms in intellectual content, professionalism are hard to bridge. Most Indian dailies tend to titillate with tabloidal news, absence of investigative details (many dailies reprinting AP news byte verbatim), detailed insights in to cultural, philosophical, economical, political or foreign policy issues. To be fair, several regular columnists do write well. Few columnists or editorial boards show a strategic depth or call for real initiatives. For the size of Indian democracy and the number of Indian publications, which members of the INS can claim high international esteem? Unfortunarely, symptoms of paid news, spin, sound byte report show often.
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