Press needs more access to info

PUNE, July 27: Governor P.C. Alexander today said there was no separate provision of freedom of press'' in the Constitution and called ...

PUNE, July 27: Governor P.C. Alexander today said there was no separate provision of 8220;freedom of press8221; in the Constitution and called upon newspapers to refrain from merely becoming influential instruments in the hands of their owners and working for their narrow ends.

8220;No editor, proprietor or manager should think that his profession gives him a little more freedom that is available to a citizen under the Constitution,8221; Alexander said.

The Governor was speaking at a ceremony to release a book, Press in India 8212; on the threshold of 21st Century, a commemorative volume on the birth centenary of founder editor of Marathi daily Sakal and former chairman of Press Trust of India, Dr. Nanasaheb Parulekar. The book contains collection of articles by thinkers and media persons.

Disapproving the tag of 8220;confidentiality8221; in the existing system of government administration, Dr. Alexander said the press needed greater access to the information which lies with the government.

Calling for a 8220;free air8221; system of outflow of information from government departments, Dr. Alexander said: 8220;Such a system will help the press present news and views related to matters of public concern rather than indulging in speculation as in the existing system.8221;

Saying that present-day situations demanded a changed format in presentation of news, Dr. Alexander observed: 8220;Newspapers continue to remain obsessed with the politicians and the political parties, a legacy of the struggle for independence.8221;

Newspapers should now switch over to new values that will help in preserving the cultural and social unity of the country, he said.Dr. Alexander lamented the poor8217; percentage of newspaper reading population in large states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra and said: 8220;It is sad these states which provide prime ministerial candidates have few people reading newspapers.8221;

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The Governor expressed concern over the falling standard of English newspapers. He said: 8220;The quality of language in English newspapers has gone down considerably during the past few decades whereas it has improved tremendously in the vernacular press.8221;

Justice Y.V. Chandrachud, former Chief Justice of India, said newspapers played an important role in a democracy like India where people read them not merely for information but also for seeking instruction.