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Journalism of Courage
There are some topics which are taboo for seasoned journalists regardless of the provocation. If I have rashly decided to write about my experiences with the Press Council of India PCIthe august body which acts as supreme arbitrator for upholding standards of journalism and ensuring press freedom 8212; it is because I believe that it is only through constant scrutiny and introspection that such an important institution will remain vigorous.
Some years back, I wrote a light-hearted snippet about a trickster who got invited to tea with the then Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao: because of a mix-up. He happened to have the same name as a well-known cartoonist. Out of deference to the cartoonist, I did not mention the name. Shortly afterwards I received a notice from the PCI on the basis of the complaint of one Rajinder Puri, not the cartoonist.
November last, I was asked to appear before a PCI inquiry committee to answer a complaint from former Chief Executive Officer CEO of Prasar Bharati S S Gill. He objected to a line in my column in December 1997 stating that 8220;DD8217;s CEO S S Gill8217;s instructions to employees to play down the BJP is becoming very apparent in its nightly news bulletins.8221;
My lawyer was optimistic of a favourable outcome. With the wisdom of experience, I was less confident. My apprehensions were justified. A month later, I learnt from the news agenciesmy own copy of the judgment was not served on me till several days laterthat I had been warned by the PCI and advised to be careful in future not to draw 8220;inferences from unconnected and far fetched facts.8221;My inference that Gill had given the alleged instructions was backed up by specific instances of DD8217;s bias against the BJP which were not contradicted.
An added bonus for my defence was that the BJP election media cell began monitoring DD8217;s news coverage shortly afterwards and reached the same conclusion. In the run-up to the polls, the BJP regularly released detailed statistics of its findings of DD8217;s bias which were published in the Press.As further evidence to back my case, I cited an incident in which the then head of DD news had announced, before some 50 DD staffers, that Vajpayee8217;s face should not be shown so frequently.
The officer brought this up in the context of the CEO having referred to him a mysterious postcard complaining about unnecessary coverage to the BJP8217;s prime ministerial candidate. Gill did not deny the incident in question, but simply took the plea that he personally had not given any such instructions.Neither Gill nor his lawyer turned up for the Council8217;s inquirycommittee.
Press Council member Manorama Dewan ably played the role of his advocate. Dewan8217;s point was that when a man of Gill8217;s stature says he has given no instructions, it must be taken at face value. It seemed almost blasphemous in this atmosphere to point out that the head of an establishment 8212; particularly one who claims to be as dynamic as Gillis normally held accountable for the acts of commission or omission of his corporation.
Indeed the PCI8217;s exacting yardstick on inference would freeze out most criticism of public persons. Four years ago, in the case of R Rajagopal vs State of Tamil Nadu the Supreme Court broke new ground by upholding the principle that it is in public interest that public actions of public figures be scrutinised and the Press should not be inhibited from doing so by the threat of civil action or libel, provided such statements do not exhibit a reckless disregard for the truth. The court held that too exacting a standard of proof is not essential.
Press Council Chairman P BSawant, however, feels that the Supreme Court judgment does not apply to cases coming before the Press Council, as it is not a judicial committee but a committee on ethics.
Now ruling on ethics can be somewhat subjective. For instance, should a Press Council inquiry committee member abstain from the proceedings if the complainant or defendant is known to him? 8220;If somebody is a good friend it is no bar,8221; feels Dewan. Justice Sawant acknowledges that Gill is known to him, particularly since he was on the three member-committee which appointed him as CEO of Prasar Bharati. 8220;What does it matter? We decide on merit. It is not possible for the Chairman to abstain. Without me, no inquiry committee can take place,8221; he says.
Of the 14 members supposed to be present at the inquiry committee to decide on Gill8217;s complaint, only seven signed the roster. Three of the signatories made token appearances. Only the Chairman, Dewan and R C Pandit took an active interest in the proceedings.
If one scrutinises the listof the 20 journalist members of the Council, it is striking how many represent publications which one has never heard of. Delhi periodicals, Jagat News, Athah, Economic and Political Rajdhani Times, Global Travel Express, for example, do not even figure in the Press Information Bureau8217;s exhaustive list of publications.
Syed Akhil Hussain of Ahmedabad is editorial consultant to the Indian Post, which folded up in 1989. One of the Council members8217; primary occupation is running an estate agency. I personally telephoned him to verify this fact by soliciting his professional help in renting a property in South Delhi!Justice Sawant disclaims all responsibility for the selection of council members. 8220;I don8217;t know about the background of the people or their publications before they are nominated. You should investigate,8221; he advised me.
The members are nominated by various professional8217; bodies and considering some of their nominees, one wonders whether they are truly representative of the Indian Presscorps.
Some query the practice of holding the PCI8217;s every other meeting outside Delhi. It is for the convenience of complainants from different parts of the country. Considering the travel and accommodation expenses for 28 members plus staff, it is debatable whether holding meetings in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Calcutta and Lucknow is advisable. Destinations like Nainital, Musoorie and Shillong in summer smack of a junket.
