National Conference on Freedom of Press, Media Self-regulation and Mass Communication Ethics (original) (raw)

National Conference on Freedom of Press, Media Self-regulation and Mass Communication Ethics. Although freedom of press is not separately mentioned in the list of Fundamental Rights, (part III of Indian Constitution) yet it is the soul of freedom of speech and expression.Generally, it is believed to be the cornerstone of our democracy. It is defined as "the very life of civil liberty" in the Constituent Assembly Debates. The freedom of press serves a larger purpose of the right to be informed about the broad spectrum of facts, views and opinions. It is the medium, through which, people gain access to information and ideas. It is an essential component of a functioning democracy. The media plays a vital role in unfolding truth and creating public opinion, especially in cases related to wrongdoings and corruption. There are several examples, where media played a key role in exposing corrupt practices and shaping demand for accountability and good governance. Along with these rights, there accrue some responsibilities and fundamental duties (Art.51A) in the public interest, such as to respect truth, obey law and uphold rights and liberties of the individuals.It also enables people to impact decision-making and participate in free flow of information and ideas. Freedom of the press and media, including the social media, is a part of the freedom of speech and expression. In 1946, the UN General Assembly stated that freedom of expression is a fundamental human right.Art.19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, reads: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. The right to freedom of speech and expression is also enshrined in Art.19 of the Constitution of India. However, at times, the market forces misuse this right, because of the increasing of war of circulation and TRP. This right is also abused and it serves the purpose of minting money. For example, the paid-news is a product of these market forces. Religious fundamentalists and hate speech mongers are also misusing this right. Some recent events, related to the news media, such as proliferation and subsequent curbing of social media, the paid news phenomenon, fake sting operations, trial by media, breach of privacy, etc., have posed a serious threat to civil society. The Law Commission has increasingly felt the need to address media-related issues, especially those connected to elections, viz., the phenomenon of paid-news and opinion polls.However, the issues relating to the media are not solely limited to elections. Under the circumstances, the media in India needs to be regulated.The best option is self-regulation.The Press Council of India, the News Broadcasting Standards Authority, the Advertising Standards Council of India, etc., are the organizations, which can make efforts to self-regulate media in their respective fields.At present, the law applicable to broadcasting media is the Cable TV Networks (Regulation) Act 1995. This Act brought into force the Programme Code and the Advertising Code, which prohibit transmission of any program and advertisement, not in compliance with the code.There is no regulatory authority set-up under the Act. Sometimes, we notice that these organizations are not working satisfactorily. Sometimes, there is an outcry from the government as well as from some parts of the public that media should be regulated by law. It is alleged the media has lost its ethical moorings. It is also said that media enjoys power without responsibility.However, this phenomenon is not limited to India alone.This is a worldwide phenomenal. A brief overview of the existing legal framework, governing the media is essential, before attention is focused on the methods of regulation.There are distinct systems of regulation for broadcast media, print media and social media. We have to protect freedom of speech and expression, because it is imperative for the growth and functioning democracy.If we are unable to protect freedom of speech and expression, we will fail to safeguard the very basis of our democracy. We have also to protect freedom of speech and expression from authoritarian regimes, religious fundamentalism as well as evils of market forces. We have to protect freedom of speech and expression as we protect our children from all sorts of evils. Dear friends, in the given backdrop, we have decided to organize a National Conference Freedom of Press, Media Self-Regulation and Mass Communication Ethics. You are cordially invited to participate and present your Papers in the forthcoming Conference.