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Indian
press is free but attempts made to influence, say experts
Tuesday May 03, 2011 02:53:22 PM,
IANS
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New Delhi:
The press in India is free from government censorship but there
are attempts by corporates and politicians to manipulate the
media, experts said on World Press Freedom Day Tuesday.
"The press is independent here but not free because the corporate
sector has more influence now. But in conflict areas like the
northeast and Kashmir, the freedom of press is only for name's
sake," veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar told IANS.
M.J. Akbar, editorial director of India Today group and chief
editor of weekly The Sunday Guardian, doesn't feel there are any
issues with press freedom in India. "I think there is no issue of
freedom of press in India."
However, Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in chief of IBN 18 network and
president of Editors' Guild of India, voiced concern about
manipulation of media by some people for their own interests.
"I think press in India is remarkably free. Some attempts are made
by politicians, corporates and other people to manipulate the
media but still press is free in India," he said.
Reporters Without Border, an international organisation which
works to ensure freedom of press and protect journalists, has put
India at the 122 spot in terms of freedom of press compared to 109
in 2009.
Sunil Saxena, dean of International Media Institute of India (IMII),
said the press in India is quite free and vibrant.
"To remain so, it must follow good practices. This is the best way
of earning the respect of the people of India and keeping the
government away," said Saxena.
Shoma Chaudhary, managing editor of weekly Tehelka, feels that
there are many challenges before the press in India.
"The biggest challenge is to avoid self-censorship. Largely
self-censorship is the biggest threat to press in India," she
said.
"A growing trend of 'advertisery' journalism is being witnessed in
India. The journalists who write about most problems are operated
traditionally by the government. Corruption within media is also
one of the biggest challenges," she added.
The UN General Assembly declared May 3 as World Press Freedom Day
in 1993 following a recommendation adopted at the twenty-sixth
session of UNESCO's General Conference in 1991. On this day
journalists celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom.
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