Expressing concern over corporate-controlled media houses “distorting democracy” by misguiding people, CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Sitaram Yechury on Sunday called for a self-regulation mechanism to ensure that they remain committed to social responsibility.
“The media has a social responsibility as it is the primary source of information for people to make their judgement with respect to sovereignty. But corporate-controlled media is being used for manufacturing public consent,” Mr. Yechury said at a seminar on media and social responsibility organised by Janashakti magazine of the CPI(M) here.
Making it clear that his party would back the concept of free press, Mr. Yechury said it was better for the media to have a stringent self-regulation mechanism.
He expressed concern over the increasing trend of media houses being taken over by corporates, besides dominating communication technology.
Continuing his attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Yechury alleged that Rs. 15,000 crore had been spent on his media campaign prior to the Lok Sabha elections.
Pointing out that a slew of pre-poll promises had been made by Mr. Modi, he urged the Prime Minister to “walk the talk”.
Dinesh Amin Mattu, media adviser to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, called for bringing journalists and religious institutions within the ambit of the Lok Pal Act, in a bid to prevent corrupt practices.
He urged Press Council of India chairman Markandeya Katju to act sternly on the report submitted to the council regarding those involved in the practice of “paid news”.
Janashakti editor S.Y. Gurushant and journalists Naveen Surinje and N.A.M. Ismail also spoke.
