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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Press council query on gag order

Press council query on gag order

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published Published on Aug 21, 2015   modified Modified on Aug 21, 2015
-The Telegraph

New Delhi: The Press Council of India has sought a clarification from the Union government over a gag order the home ministry issued last month to restrict media access to senior officials.

In a letter sent yesterday to the information and broadcasting ministry, the council, the statutory body to regulate the print media in the country, sought an explanation on why a "section of the central government had asked senior officials not to share information with journalists".

"We were concerned with reports about some ministries formally and informally issuing such orders, so we have sought a response from the government within the next six weeks," the council's chairperson, Justice (retired) C.K. Prasad, said during an interaction with mediapersons in the capital today.

The home ministry had on July 23 issued an internal note saying the additional director-general (media) would be the "single point for dissemination of all publicity material to the media", including clarifications sought by them.

It had further said that mediapersons would be asked by the additional director-general not to have "briefing(s)" or "meeting(s)" with "officers other than in the media room".

The defence ministry had issued a similar note, while other ministries and departments are believed to have given such instructions to officials informally. Despite objections from the press, the restrictions have not been removed.

Officials in the I&B ministry said they were yet to receive the letter from the council. "We will first see the content of such a letter and then decide how to respond," said a senior official.

Asked about the government notices to four television news channels over the coverage of Yakub Memon's hanging, Justice Prasad said "irresponsible media is better than controlled media". But journalists, he added, should express dissent within the framework of national interest.

It was not clear why he used the word "irresponsible".

Two of the channels that were sent showcause notices by the information and broadcasting ministry had telecast an interview with a person claiming to be absconding underworld don Chhota Shakeel, a close associate of Dawood Ibrahim, the alleged mastermind of the 1993 blasts.

The third channel had telecast a panel discussion where Memon's lawyer challenged the apex court verdict and the President's decision to turn down the blast convict's mercy petition.

Speaking on assaults on journalists across the country, Justice Prasad said the council had recommended that such attacks should be made a cognisable offence under a special law. "This suggestion is under consideration with the government," he said. "We have also suggested that November 2 every year be marked as a national day to end impunity for crimes against journalists."

According to data compiled by the council, about 80 journalists have been killed in various parts of the country over the last two decades.

The Telegraph, 21 August, 2015, http://www.telegraphindia.com/1150821/jsp/nation/story_38333.jsp#.VdcLmJc1t_k


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