On November 16, when the country celebrated the National Press Freedom Day, three newspapers in Nagaland were published with blank editorials to protest a notification from Assam Rifles that had the effect of muzzling the press freedom.
The notification warned newspapers against carrying statements made by militant outfits. The Press Council of India (PCI) has served notice suo motu on Assam Rifles and the State government.
“We are worried about the implications for the freedom of the press and have sought a detailed explanation from them,” PCI chairman Chandramouli Kumar Prasad told The Hindu in an interview. The PCI has also sought the opinion of the newspapers concerned.
India’s ranking Mr. Prasad said he was worried about the ranking of India on the World Press Freedom Index published by Reporters Without Borders. The index for 2015 places India at 136 among 190 nations. “If what the report says is indeed true — and I have my reasons to disbelieve it — it is a failure of the Press Council. It means we have not carried out our statutory obligations. I question the ranking process itself. I have sought information from them,” he said.
Mr. Prasad said he did not share the perception of Reporters Without Borders, given the number of newspapers and journalists in India. “Look at the size of newspapers and the number of journalists in India. If five out of one lakh of them unfortunately get killed, how can you judge us on the basis of this? You cannot rank us on the basis of just numbers. The report has to be in the context of the number of journalists India has,” he said. “It is not the case that attack on journalists has increased.”
He said the PCI served notice on Union Minister General V.K. Singh for his comments that journalists should be sent to Agra Mental Hospital. While Mr. Singh said his comments were reported out of context, Mr. Prasad clarified that he was seeking an explanation from the Minister as well as from the newspapers concerned. “Since this is not the first time Mr. Singh has had issues with the press, I have decided to seek a full explanation…”
