Early Times Report
JAMMU, Feb 14: Even as prominent journalists across the country have hailed Press Council of India (PCI) chairman, Markanday Katju's statement on use of advertisement muscle to muzzle the freedom of press, the over and covert means employed by the authorities (other than withholding advertisements) finds no mention anywhere.
Expressing serious concern over `official blackmail', Katju said withholding advertisements to tame editors and newspaper owners was violative of Article 14 and 19(1) (a) of the Indian Constitution. The Press Council of India will not tolerate any further this kind of behavior on the part of any Government, its Ministers or Officials, and shall take suitable legal action. In my opinion, once it has been decided to give advertisements to a newspaper/journal, stopping or reducing it thereafter without giving it an opportunity of hearing amounts to violation of the principle of legitimate expectation and natural justice, and thus violation of Article 14 of the Constitution."
Katju upheld the right of the newspapers to criticize the Government. "The Government and Ministers must have the strength to stand up to criticism", he said. Katju's statement reflects that he has not been apprised of the overt and covert methods employed by the authorities to muzzle the press. He must know that the authorities seal printing presses, close down newspaper offices, conduct nocturnal raids on the residences of editors and journalists and last but not the least all illegal means are employed to throttle other businesses of he newspaper owners/editors. Thus, the authorities not only violate principles of natural justice and freedom of speech and expression. They also violate right to life by harassing the editors, owners, scribes and their families. |
