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Media won't be muzzled, says government

July 15, 2006 14:27 IST
Source:PTI

The government has dismissed the attack on the draft Broadcast Bill, which has been described by the media as draconian, as 'baseless' and 'out of context.'

 

"I can say with responsibility that the Bill will be a media friendly, progressive legislation not seen anywhere in the world," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters at the 65th annual general meeting of the Indian Languages Newspaper Association on Saturday.

 

Dismissing reports that the Bill contained provisions that would empower the government to muzzle the media, he said, "All talk on the content in the Bill are baseless and out of context. We don't want to take away any right of the media."

 

Asked if the government would dilute the current draft Bill that has been prepared, Dasmunsi shot back: "We will neither dilute nor pollute it."

 

The minister said the government could table the Bill in the monsoon session of Parliament, which begins on July 24.

 

Dasmunsi, however, pointed a finger at the working of the mainstream English media. "Do their journalists enjoy freedom in their own organisations and is their work not subjected to pressures from the management," he questioned.

 

Dasmunsi said the media was correct in highlighting the shortcomings of the government or its various schemes, but added, "However, if you just report the negative and do not highlight the positive, it will not help anyone," he said.

 

The minister said there was a need to facilitate the growth of the vernacular media, which was in direct touch with the masses in villages and small towns. "We want to give priority to language press," he said.

 

"Such newspapers give people the real picture," he added.

 

He appealed to India Inc to extend more support to the language press, saying, "If you give four advertisements to an English paper, then give at least two to the language press also as your customers are those who read local newspapers."

 

The minister said instead of coercing corporate houses to support the language press by way of legislation, the government felt creating a facilitative environment was the right approach.

Source: PTI
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