The new Press Council Chairman, Justice Markandey Katju was probably
unaware of the work done by the National Broadcasting Association in
promoting self-regulation in the electronic media when he demanded the
extension of the Press Council's powers to cover TV channels in the
country.
More than 45 TV channels are covered by the body which
is headed by one of the more distinguished former chief justices of
India, J S Verma. In the short space of two years, it framed its
guidelines, considered nearly 200 complaints and passed orders against
nine broadcasters, even fining some of them. A parallel body headed by
retired Justice A P Shah deals with the entertainment channels.
Justice
Katju's ignorance stems from his agenda which is nothing short of
bossing over the TV news channels, directing their programming towards
allegedly socially and educationally relevant streams, ensuring that the
anchors ask the right questions, and going down to the fine detail of
ensuring that guests in talk shows do not interrupt each other. He has,
of course, made no bones about the fact that his method will not be
pedagogical, but one based on the fear of the stick, which he generously
says will be used only in "extreme" situations.
In contrast to
Justice Katju who is a government functionary, Justice Verma and the NBA
work pro bono. Considering that it does little to either foster press
freedom or aid the media to enhance its quality, scrapping the Press
Council of India would be a good idea, and it would save some public
money.
More so, since its chairman seems determined to play the
stalking horse for the government which claims that it wants to merely
"regulate" the media, while in reality its aim is to restrict it.