Media gag proposal unlikely to be revived by UPA govt says TOI

It was Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's decisive intervention that put the proposed gags on media into cold storage as he over-ruled the views of junior ministers pushing for wide-ranging curbs on TV channels. Sources said the PM felt that the ministers had misread the post-Mumbai attacks "mood" and that while there was support for tough action against terrorism, it did not extend to sanitising or curtailing TV channels. With elections just round the corner, he did not want to raise a fresh controversy either. It is now unlikely that the proposal will be revived until the next government is in office despite the government having spoken of wide-ranging consultations with media organisations. And with it has gone, what officials see as an opportunity to arrive at an agreement on issues like televising operational details and conducting interviews with terrorists in hostage situations. more on this story
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/PMs_intervention_helped_channels_beat_gag_proposal/rssarticleshow/4003680.cms

TV Editors to meet Prime Minsiter today

Editors of TV Channels will meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this evening. Prime minister had put the proposed media bill on hold after editors wrote him on monday. Editors had welcomed government's decision, but had asked for complte clousure of the issue.

CPM Writes to PM over proposed regulation on media, asks government not to act in haste

CPM General Secretary Praksash Karat has asked prime Minister Manmohan singh not take take any step "to empower the government and the administration to further regulate the news channels". Mr karat has sent a letter to Prime Minister today over the proposed curbs on electronic media. Editors of major TV Channels had met Mr. Karat yesterday urging him to take up this issue with the government. Following is the text of letter sent by Mr Karat to Prime minister
*******************
January 14, 2009




Dear Dr. Manmohan Singh,


It is reported that the government is proposing an amendment to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Rules. This is meant to regulate content in the electronic media.


Our Party is of the opinion that there should be no hasty step taken regarding media regulation. Our Party is of the view that apart from the self-regulatory mechanism put in place by the news channels, it is necessary to have co-regulation through an independent regulatory body.


How this is to be done has to be discussed and a common approach arrived at. Till then, no steps should be taken to empower the government and the administration to further regulate the news channels.


With regards,
Yours sincerely




(Prakash Karat)
General Secretary

The Press Club of India calls for unified action aginst the law to curb media

The Press Club of India has assailed the measures of the Union Government to gag the electronic media by bringing in a strongly worded statement. Mr. Pushpendra Kulshrestha, Secretary General of the Press Club of India has called for a unified action by all freedom-loving persons to compel the Union Government to rescind the draconian measures.

The proposed measures to gag the electronic media have caused immense concern in the journalistic fraternity and among the believers in the freedom of expression.

As journalists, we believe that the media is watchdog to keep democracy and democratic principles alive. If instruments of the state begin to regulate us, the damage to democracy and all stakeholders in democracy would be irrepairable.

We are aware that our right to keep a vigil also brings with it a responsibility to function according to the highest standards of ethics and national interest. We firmly believe that in a democracy media needs self-regulation and not regulation. The electronic media fraternity has already made significant movement in this direction. In view of this, we urge the government to immediately suspend the proposed measures.

It would be very unfortunate if the government decides what should or what should not go on air. The proposed measures would give the government a handle to impose its will on media. We believe that responsibility should come from within the electronic media.

These measures would for all times taint this government as one that tried to impose draconian measures on media and forever remind us that the emergency is not yet a closed chapter in this country.