New Delhi: Press Council of India (PCI) Chairperson Justice Markandey Katju on Friday told delegates from International Press Institute (IPI), a Vienna-based media watchdog, that he had taken up with state governments issues of protection of journalists and safeguarding them from undue pressure.
During the meeting, Justice Katju told the delegation that he was committed to preserve the freedom of the media. The delegation comprised IPI Executive Director Alison Bethel Mckenzie and Senior Press Freedom Advisor Barbara Trionfi.
The PCI chief said he had taken up with the state of Maharshtra the issue of attacks on journalists after which the Chief Minister had said that protection of journalists would be ensured.
He had also raised with Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah the issue of safety of journalists covering protests. Abdullah had sought Press Council guidelines to ensure journalists' safety, he said.
In the meeting, the PCI chief also apprised the delegates that he had spoken against media management by the Bihar Government to avoid critical reporting.
Katju told the delegation that he had come out openly against the wholly dispropotionate award of Rs 100 crore in damages against newschannel Times Now by a Maharashtra district court.
The PCI chief also said in the discussions that he felt that media should present the real issues before the people. There was a definite place for entertainment in the media but entertainment and media should not shut out the discussion of serious issues such as poverty, lack of health care, illiteracy and superstition, the PCI chief told that Katju also told the visitors that he felt that there was a widespread need for a discussion in the country and among the media on its crucial educational role.
The IPI delegates told Katju that the Vienna-based organisation worked for promotion of ethical journalism and protecting the safety of journalists.
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