Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu’s call for a single watchdog for the television and print media has come not a day too soon (“Venkaiah for single media watchdog”, November 17). There is no denying the fact that the media, visual in particular, has been indulging in no-holds-barred sensationalism in news coverage and talk shows. More often than not, objectivity and professional ethics are sacrificed at the altar of TRP ratings and to score brownie points. It is common to witness television channels competing with one another in holding a media trial even on issues that are sub judice in the name of freedom of expression, and which might prove detrimental to the delivery of justice. Self-regulation by the media, sadly, is conspicuous by its absence and its overreach is hardly desirable. However, the pros and cons of the issue need to be examined critically by both the Centre and the Press Council of India with a view to striking a balance.
P.K. Varadarajan,
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Chennai