‘Irresponsible media better than a controlled one’

An irresponsible media is better than a controlled one, Press Council of India (PCI) Chairperson Justice (<g data-gr-id="15">retd</g>) CK Prasad on Thursday said, while stressing that journalists should express dissent within the framework of national interest.

The PCI chief expressed these views when asked to comment on show-cause notices issued by the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to four leading news channels over their coverage of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yaqub Memon’s hanging.

Prasad said the PCI has also taken note of reports about certain “gag orders” issued against media recently by Union ministries including Home Affairs, and added that a response from the I&B Ministry has been sought on the matter. The Home Ministry had recently issued an order restricting movement of media personnel in the North Block, which was objected to by the journalists. Secretary, PCI is learnt to have written on the matter to the I&B Ministry, whose response is awaited.