Every big paper should have an ombudsman: Nayar

At book launch,veteran journalist apologises for comments on Express editor-in-chief

Veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar today said a press commission should be set up to review the working of the media in India. There is a need to review the relationship between editors and owners,between editors and journalists. I think there must be an ombudsman in each big newspaper, Nayar said during an interaction at the release of his autobiography,Beyond The Lines.

Nayar expressed concern over the issue of owners controlling the media too much without giving much freedom to the editor,saying this could lead to people losing faith in the media.

He also apologised to The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta for certain comments he made in the book. There are certain things in the book that I meant in a different way but could not say in the same (way). Many people may have been annoyed with what I have written. But if there is one person to whom I owe an apology,he is Shekhar Gupta. I think I have been unfair to him, he said.

Story continues below this ad

He said two important pillars of India,judiciary and media,are facing difficult times. While I dont want to say anything about the judiciary,I can say that Indian media needs to change, he said.

However,Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley said he was not too worried about the state of Indian media. With there being so many avenues for the media,I am not so much worried in so far as control of the media is concerned. But,yes,paid news is a very serious problem. Paid news is something that is not seen around the year. It is there during elections and everybody knows whos doing what. That is the area where we need to improve and ensure accountability, he said.