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| A stakeholder in democratisation process, govt cannot gag press | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Apr 17: Being a stakeholder in democratisation process, let the government extend its "goodwill" gesture to the strengthening of the Fourth Pillar of democracy by allowing it to flourish in a free and fair
atmosphere.
The imposition of "economic sanctions" by way of stopping advertisement to small and upcoming newspapers won't pay, but the acceptance of healthy criticism would go a long way in establishing its credibility among the masses.
Any democratic government could not afford to exercise its authority in an "autocratic" manner.
The unofficial decision of "few" in the government to withhold advertisement to the old Jammu-based daily -- The Northlines -- is unjust, highly condemnable and regrettable.
The paper's fault is that it had carried a news story, which was linked to the MLA of a non-ruling party. It is over a month now and the ban still continues unauthorisedly.
The "unofficial" government ban comes at a time when the role of the independent press is recognised highly essential for the enhancement of the democratic and nation-building values.
The government slapped advertising boycot on The Northlines and some other small newspapers, stifling freedom of press and crippling them financially. The ban is aimed at imposing "economic sanctions" on these upcoming newspapers.
It is unreasonable on the part of the government, which earns from taxes on individuals and business organisations, including the newspapers, to withhold advertisement from any media institution. The government in itself is not a profit-making body. It only survives on the taxes imposed on its citizens from time to time. The government does not have resources of its own. Its resources come from citizens with diverse political views and inclinations. As such, a political decision to declare an advertising ban on any media institution is unjust.
The money, which is given to newspapers for publishing advertisements, is not the government money. It comes from the taxes collected from the people.
The healthy growth of media is essential for the existence and promotion of independent press. If gagged, it cannot provide diverse information. Its unhindered growth is important for the strengthening of democracy.
So, the government, being a stakeholder in the democratisation process, ought to support the media industry to keep it alive. Hence the government decision to deny advertisement, ie financial support, to any independent newspaper, which promotes journalism, is highly regrettable.
It would not be wrong to say that it is a form of indirect censorship.
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