Katju a mistake?

http://paper.li/Bunibroto/1309956977

Ever since Justice Katju is made chairman of Press council on 5^th of October,he is on the news. Pronnoys and Rajdeeps are forced to air him everyday though very reluctantly.It is very surprising when media is all attentive on 10 Race course and 7 Janapath a judge superseding all attentions from politicians and Annas and religious gurus.Though it is very early day but surely on the first look it shows the power of truth. Media is being used extensively by the people of power using easily earned black money.It can’t be that they are forced to report in such mystifying manner only on the lure of Govt. Adverdisements.

Who is Justice Katju? His family is an deceived Pundit family from Kashmir.That is why the power justice is burning within him which he was denied it in J&K.He belongs to a family of judges.Even his grandfather was Governor as well as Law and Home Minister of India. So it will be foolish to ignore him as political & influential person as well. He topped the merit list in Allahabad LLB examination in 1968 and specialized in labor law Taxation and writ petitions. He is an author so he knows how to write concocted stories. So one can argue that he is an very attractive candidate for the present post..

On 26 th December 2010 Mr.T.N. Ninan, editor and publisher of Business Standard, has been elected president of the Editors Guild of India..Around 10 months later Mr.Katju is being appointed.as head of press council. Before that the council was ruled by Prannoys and Rajdeeps only.6 days back Mr.TN Ninan has used his news paper to utter whatever bitterness he has within. His paper wrote at length & said,” PCI chairman has ‘been making negative statements on the media ever since he assumed office”, but the trigger for its strong statement are Katju’s remarks — described by the Guild as ‘ill-considered, sweeping and uninformed comments on the media and on media professionals’ — in an interview to Karan Thapar on the CNN-IBN news channel, broadcast over the weekend. It says these comments ‘touched a new low’..It went on,  “The Guild notes Mr Katju thinks the media divides people on religious lines and is anti-people. He objects to TV channels that focus on cricket and other subjects, that he disapproves of.

He believes that journalists have not studied economics, politics, literature or philosophy, and he has a poor opinion of the media and media people...after expressing such sweeping negative sentiments, (he) has asked the government for draconian powers to impose fines on the media, to withdraw advertisements and to suspend the licence to publish or broadcast. The Guild strongly opposes such powers being given to the Council, especially a Council led by someone who it would seem wants to invoke ‘fear’ in the media.”

In the next paragraph Mr. Ninan’s paper conceded that they made attempt to pacify justice Katju but failed. “The Guild’s attempt to engage in dialogue with Mr Katju has been rendered futile, as he continues to express his tendentious and offensive views. The Guild wishes to remind (him) that the Indian media is as diverse as it is vigorous, and while it has drawbacks, on the whole it contributes to the strength of the Indian system.” The same press following the one sided views and caught in the taped conversation in Radia and Raja talked about freedom of press. They felt Katju is suppressing their freedom of speech. Which channel was not exposed that time Hidustan times,ND TV, CNN IBN and Prabhu Chawla of Aajtak. Except Prabhu Chawla nobody was removed.NDTV has given promotion to Barkha Dutt as well. So what does their freedom of speech shows. It showed they are biased and air & publish those news which are approved by their political mentor. It is also noticed Mr.Chawla has changed his views regarding administration of Mr.Narendra Modi. What does it indicate? Does it not indicate that He was under pressure from his authorities to air their prescribed view only?

Few days this backeditor guild led by Mr.Ninan evenly openly urged govt to keep media out of the purview of Lokpal. If they are so proud of their integrity( though have carefully avoided the word “Integrity” from the long statement) why they are afraid of coming into Lokpal? Today the bulk of the media person is exposed in such a way there should be demand that accounts of all approved media houses should be monitored by CAG as well. There is perception by seeing their reporting that bulk section of black money is used to purchase them only.

It is a battle line drawn.Observing UPA II one feels that Katju will not be allowed to complete his job. There will be endeavor as Guild expressed repeatedly to have back channel talks. But I am very impressed what Katju has said in his latest statements. "Self-regulation is no regulation" and news organisations are "private bodies whose activities have a large influence on the public and they also must be answerable to the public,"
"How can electronic channels say that they are not accountable to anyone but themselves? Earlier in the day he has also written to secretary of News Broadcasting Association, "I would like to know whether the News Broadcasters Association, of which perhaps you are the Secretary, are willing to be placed under the Lokpal which is proposed to be set up in the winter session of Parliament? You seem to be reluctant to come under the Press Council of India. Are you also reluctant to come under the Lokpal?"

"Lawyers come under the Bar Council and their licence can be suspended or cancelled for professional misconduct. Similarly, doctors come under the Medical Council, chartered accountants under their Council etc," Katju wrote.

"Why then should you object to being placed under the Lokpal or some other regulatory authority?," Katju said in his letter.

I can only say ,we have got our voice in Katju.It remains to be seen how long he is allowed by Government and its stooges.

They must be thinking appointing him is turning out to be a mistake.