Delivering her address at a function to
mark National Press Day, here on Friday, Swaraj regretted that in
today's media scenario, which has undergone a sea change after the
technology explosion, sensational news has edged out developmental
and positive news. In a race for being the first and most sensational,
positive aspects of news items are being sacrificed, she said. Sensation
may be a good saleable commodity commercially, but it is not in the
overall interests of the country, she added.
The eminent jurist and MP, FS Nariman, who delivered the keynote address
on 'Future of India: Role of Media' said that the media must be sensitive
to the people's problems and should lean on the side of the weak and
the oppressed. It must be responsible to the Constitution and the
country and not to the government, the business houses or the politicians.
A free and robust press is a must for the successful functioning of
our democratic system, Nariman said.
The chairman of the Press Council of India, Justice Jaichandra Reddy,
said that the spirit of the freedom struggle have to be revived and
media must re-dedicate itself to the good old values of the profession
of journalism. Small and medium newspapers, which have more and better
access to rural and far-flung areas, have a greater role in awakening
the people, he said.
Lok Sabha speaker Manohar Joshi presided over the function. |
