Public service broadcaster the Prasar Bharati Corporation’s decision to offer its platform to explore the idea of putting the media in a straitjacket has led to considerable concern.
The occasion is the Sardar Patel Memorial Lecture on October 26. The topic of the address, “Is it possible to impose reasonable restrictions on Freedom of Speech and Expression given today’s media landscape” to be delivered by Information and Broadcasting Minister Arun Jaitley, has led to considerable speculation on social media on the government’s intent.
Reasonable restrictions to free speech are part of Article 19 (2) of Constitution.
Mr. Jaitely’s decision to speak represents a break from the past when Ministers from the Information and Broadcasting Ministry consciously kept away from addressing the occasion. Attempts to reach Mr. Jaitely for his comments proved futile.
Former Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said Mr. Jaitley’s decision to speak is a breach of an unwritten convention in the Ministry which is to keep the Prasar Bharati Corporation at arm’s length. Ministers in the past, Jaipal Reddy, Ambika Soni and Tewari had maintained a distance from addressing on the occasion.
‘Assault must cease’Mr. Tewari said the choice of the subject is indicative of the extreme pressure the government is under and becomes obvious when Ministers and party spokespersons blame the media for everything. “As if getting their nose punched by the judiciary on the National Judicial Appointments Commission Bill was not enough; perhaps the government requires a kick on their posterior from the media to sober them up further. They need to understand that the assault on institutions must cease.”
While the CEO of the Prasar Bharati Corporation in whose name the invite has gone out, was unavailable for comment, it is learnt Jawhar Sircar will be away in Istanbul for a broadcasters’ meet.
All India Radio hosts the annual lecture as a mark of respect to Patel, India’s first Information and Broadcasting Minister. The lectures started in 1955, with C. Rajagopalachari delivering the first address. Other speakers have included Zakir Hussain, Morarji Desai and A. P. J. Kalam.
