50th Anniversary Of Bengaluru Press Club

Guest Posting Website: The Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu today emphasized that no strong and vibrant democracy can survive without a free, unfettered and fearless press. He suggested that India needs a strong, free and vibrant media to strengthen the roots of its democracy. Apart from this, Shri Naidu also cautioned about the collapse of values ​​in the media. He called for fair and objective reporting. Shri Naidu further emphasized that news should not be mixed with views.

The Vice President addressed a gathering to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bengaluru Press Club. In his address, he said that a free and fair press complements an independent judiciary when it comes to strengthening the constitutional rule of law.

He further mentioned that in the past, journalism was considered a mission in which news was sacred. Shri Naidu further underlined the fact that good journalism is based on fair and truthful coverage of events and their credible telecast to the people.

The Vice President referred to several well-known news editors in the past like Khasa Subba Rau, Frank Morris and Nikhil Chakraborty. He said that these editors never allowed their views to dominate the news and always respected a Lakshman Rekha between news and opinion. The Vice President suggested that today’s journalists should take inspiration from the stalwarts of journalism who contributed a lot during the freedom struggle and emergency. Shri Naidu emphasized that news should not be influenced by views. He further advised the media persons to never compromise with the facts and always present them without any fear or favour.

The Vice President expressed concern over the drastic fall in journalism standards in the last few years. Shri Naidu said that the recent rise of social media has only added to its decline. He went on to say, “Today we find news constantly intertwined with thought. It has become so much that sometimes it seems to a person that neither the newspaper nor the television channel gives an accurate picture of certain events. show.” He suggested that the Parliament and the government should look into the issue of fake news on social media and adopt an effective and credible method to deal with them.

Shri Naidu drew public attention to the biased news presentation and agenda driven coverage of events. The Vice President said that such journalists are doing serious harm to this profession, as authenticity and credibility are the foundation of journalism.

The Vice President further expressed concern over the falling standards of public debates. Shri Naidu said that he wishes that political parties regulate themselves by adopting a code of conduct for their members in legislatures and in public life. He advised the public representatives to avoid making personal attacks on their political opponents. The Vice President also called for a re-look at the anti-defection law to plug any loopholes in it.

Shri Naidu emphasized that the members should debate, discuss and take decisions in a meaningful manner in the legislatures. The Vice President further said that the media should bring constructive speeches to the people instead of disrupting Parliament and Legislatures. He cautioned against paying more attention to sensational news and those disrupting Parliament and Assemblies.

Read it in the Hindi Language – 50th Aniversary