Minimum qualification must for scribes: Katju

Since the media has an important influence on the lives of the people,the time has now come when some qualification should be prescribed by law, he said in a statement after appointing a committee comprising PCI members Shravan Garg,Rajeev Sabade and Dr Ujjwala Barve,Associate Professor,Department of Communication and Journalism,University of Pune to look into the issue. The committee has been asked to submit its report at the earliest.

Katju said the need for setting a qualification for entry into journalism had been felt for some time although many institutions impart teaching in journalism,some of which although is very unsatisfactory.

In the lawyers profession an LLB degree as well as registration in a Bar Council is required. Similarly,for entry into the medical profession the necessary qualification is an MBBS degree and also registration with the Medical Council. For becoming a teacher,a teachers training certificate/degree is required. Many other professions have the requirement of some qualification before one can enter that profession, he said.

However,at present there is no qualification for entry into the profession of journalism. Hence,very often persons with little or inadequate training in journalism enter the profession,and this often leads to negative effects,because such untrained persons often do not maintain high standards of journalism, he said.

Katju said the report of the committee would be placed before the full Press Council and after getting its approval he would forward it to the government for initiating suitable legislation.