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The minister, however, cautioned that laws in India have not kept
pace with the technological changes that the sector was going through.
He said, "I am not advocating amendment of laws. As a staunch
liberal, I will not propose stringent laws. Rather, I would like
to see the industry self regulating itself."
This, according to Reddy, was important as no law could keep pace
with changing technologies. "I am sure that the print and electronic
media will take upon themselves to exercise this discipline,"
he added.
He assured that government would be happy to be engaged in regular
dialogue with the print and electronic media on industry concerns,
difficulties and issues.
Dwelling on the much talked about TV `sting' operations, Reddy maintained
that he was not opposed to investigative journalism- sting or otherwise.
Still, he said, 'sting' operations were acceptable as long as they
maintained decency and did not venture into 'porno journalism.'
On the never ending debate on the future of newspapers at the back
of technological advancements, the minister said that he was optimistic
about the future of newspapers across the world.
"I am an unabashed partisan of newspapers," he said
and, on a lighter note, commented his loyalty lay with newspapers,
while "I owe my debt to television."
Expressing hope, Reddy remarked that there was no reason why there
could not be growth and expansion of existing newspapers in India,
as also of new entrants.
"I say this because technology of news gathering and production
is offering innovation to the newspaper industry and to the readers,"
he reasoned.
Speaking on the occasion, the visiting CEO of the Financial Times
Group, Olivier Fleurot, observed that there was future for newspapers
even at the back of fast technological developments, provided the
print medium showed some flexibility and enriched its content.
He said that since there were more options available with the readers,
they have become demanding, which is why it would be "important
to innovate" to survive the competition from electronic media
and the Internet.
In his remarks, CII president Sunil Kant Munjal said that newspapers
had the ability to carry the message in more detail, thus being
very helpful to companies and their business.
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