Media Ombudsman: Scribes snub Acharya

Home Minister V S Acharya today denied any plans for media ombudsman in the state. "The media ombudsman issue is a closed chapter. I was misquoted by the media. There will be no ombudsman," he said.u00a0

MiD DAY sought the reaction of some young journalists about Acharya's remarks aimed at gagging the media.

D P Satish of CNN IBN said, "It seems V S Acharya doesn't know what "Media Ombudsman" is. Just because of Mangalore and Mutalik issue he can't do it. All journalists must oppose if there is such move. Government should bring clarity into the issue. The media are capable of self-regulation and there is no need for government intervention. After the recent Mumbai attack it was said that media glorified the issue and the government tried to have an Ombudsman, but all the TV channels submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minster, saying they would regulate themselves and that they don't need an external body to regulate. The PM agreed to it."u00a0

Senior journalist Vikash Nanjappa of Rediff.com said, "Dear Dr V S Acharya, I would like to start off by reminding you that we guys in the media have a Press Council of India to monitor us and regulate our stories. So I think the need to appoint a media Ombudsman is totally unnecessary and uncalled for. While I completely disagree with you in this regard, I however agree that the media has gone overboard while reporting the incidents in Mangalore. However the solution is not in curbing the media. If the Home Minister has a problem with the manner in which the press is reporting the incidents in Karnataka, then I think he should approach the Press Council of India which is a constitutional body".

Vishal Krishna, senior journalist with Business World, Mumbai said, "I think democratic principals of India would be trampled upon if media come under regulation. It is infringement on the basic human rights like freedom of speech. I totally disagree with Acharya's move to bring media ombudsman. Once press is controlled it will lead to authoritarian government, which should never happen and shouldn't be allowed".u00a0

Ayesha Tabassum from a leading news channel said, "Press is one of the pillars of the democracy. If a governing body is formed to keep a tab on the media and its coverage then those goons who claim to be the guardians of the society will get another push to go on a rampage. News channels and newspapers do understand their responsibility and adhere to the norms of working in a democratic government."

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