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Journalism of Courage
Fearing that it would gag the media and social activists,and put them behind bars for airing opinion on genetically-modified crops,the Alliance for GM Free and Safe Food,a conglomerate of 120 organisations,opposed the proposed Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India (BRAI) Bill.
Members said if the Bill is passed,it would become difficult to obtain information on GM crops under the RTI Act. The proposed Bill,which would be introduced in this session of the Parliament,will take away the right to protest and speak against activities of corporates and government on genetically-modified food, said members of the alliance on Thursday.
Quoting from the text of the Bill,lawyer Reeta Kohli said,Section 63 is a direct assault on the medias freedom of speech. It reads,Whoever,without any evidence or scientific record misleads the public about the safety of the organisms and products,shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months but which may extend to one year and with fine which may extend to Rs 2 lakh or with both.
The Bill is undemocratic and unconstitutional. It will legalise food colonialism, said Umendra Dutt of Kheti Virasat Mission. Social activist Hemant Goswami pointed out,The proposed Bill does not have any provision to punish corporates and people who conceal adverse effects of genetically modified organisms and food.
Another social worker Onkar Chand said the casual manner in which the government was dealing with the BRAI Bill was a cause of concern. Professor V C Nanda said,Members of the bio-regulatory authority should be appointed from all the states,and it should be a larger body and not just have three members.
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