NEW DELHI: Concerned over the government's attempt to gag the electronic media, broadcasters have sought time with PM Manmohan Singh, in an effort to convince him to drop the proposed amendments to the Cable Network Regulations (CNR) Act.
The I&B ministry has recommended changes in the law to allow government to dictate television coverage during designated emergencies. The proposal is also to make it mandatory of channels to carry authorized video footage, ostensibly on grounds of "public interest".
In a letter to the PM — who currently holds charge of the I&B ministry — leading broadcasters have pointed out that the proposed measures were nothing short of a gag. Television channel representatives say introducing these "draconian measures" would bring back days of media blackouts experienced during Emergency.
The editors said that they believed their role as a watchdog for society would be severely compromised if government-mandated regulation was brought about.
The communication also points out that the broadcasters were aware of their responsibilities in upholding highest standards of ethics and national interest. Hinting at the self-regulation guidelines that have been formed and accepted by all members of the News Broadcasters Association the editors have said that media fraternity had made significant movement in that direction.
The role played by broadcasters has come in for criticism after the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26. The I&B ministry received complaints from security agencies and various arms of the defence forces were vociferous in their criticism over television news coverage. Some sections felt that the channels had been responsible in compromising the rescue operation.
Broadcasters have, however, steadfastly maintained that in the absence of clear instructions and official source of information on the rescue operation, there were mistakes on both sides. While there should be proper guidelines that would check the kind of mistakes made, the answer did not lie in curbing media freedom.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Broadcasters_write_to_PM_over_curbs/articleshow/3970693.cms
The I&B ministry has recommended changes in the law to allow government to dictate television coverage during designated emergencies. The proposal is also to make it mandatory of channels to carry authorized video footage, ostensibly on grounds of "public interest".
In a letter to the PM — who currently holds charge of the I&B ministry — leading broadcasters have pointed out that the proposed measures were nothing short of a gag. Television channel representatives say introducing these "draconian measures" would bring back days of media blackouts experienced during Emergency.
The editors said that they believed their role as a watchdog for society would be severely compromised if government-mandated regulation was brought about.
The communication also points out that the broadcasters were aware of their responsibilities in upholding highest standards of ethics and national interest. Hinting at the self-regulation guidelines that have been formed and accepted by all members of the News Broadcasters Association the editors have said that media fraternity had made significant movement in that direction.
The role played by broadcasters has come in for criticism after the Mumbai terror attacks on November 26. The I&B ministry received complaints from security agencies and various arms of the defence forces were vociferous in their criticism over television news coverage. Some sections felt that the channels had been responsible in compromising the rescue operation.
Broadcasters have, however, steadfastly maintained that in the absence of clear instructions and official source of information on the rescue operation, there were mistakes on both sides. While there should be proper guidelines that would check the kind of mistakes made, the answer did not lie in curbing media freedom.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Broadcasters_write_to_PM_over_curbs/articleshow/3970693.cms
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