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.
"As a person, my view is that an irresponsible media is better than a controlled media," Prasad told reporters while refraining from commenting directly on the specific notices to channels saying that the matter pertains to electronic media and is outside the purview of the PCI.
He added that similar views on the media had been expressed by former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
The government had earlier issued notices to the four news channels saying that their content was not as per the programme code under the Cable TV (Networks) Act.
The PCI chief, who was asked several questions related to the show cause notices issued to the news channels, said dissent is the <g data-gr-id="60">forte</g> of a democracy and every newspaper or channel has a right to dissent.
"But while dissenting, one has to keep in mind the larger national interest," he added.
The former Supreme Court judge further said that the media can criticise judicial <g data-gr-id="73">decisions</g> but it should not attribute any motives as it erodes the credibility of the institution. "Criticise vehemently, but don't attribute motives," he said. Interacting with reporters at Indian Women's Press Corps, he said, "If a journalist is irresponsible, people will judge, but if media is controlled, there is nothing to judge.
Asked if he thought that it would be better if such matters were referred to a self-regulatory mechanism, he said, "There are competing views on that with many believing that peer bodies have not been able to achieve what was required."
He said that in his view, peer bodies can do it but added that a pertinent question is who represents the peers and whether it was really a representative. Expressing concern over the issue of paid news, Prasad said, “It is concealed in fraud and delivered in deceit and therefore, very difficult to detect.” Referring to the issue, the PCI chief said there were guidelines by Election Commission of India (ECI) on the issue but he did not agree with some of them.
For instance, he said, that one of the guidelines said that if during the elections any newspaper writes good about a candidate, it would be considered paid news. He said there were good politicians also and asked if they contest elections, is it not good to written about them. Speaking hypothetically, Prasad said, what would be written if suppose Mahatma Gandhi were to contest elections in this context. Referring to certain reports regarding Salman Khan’s 2002 hit-and-run case, he said the question was whether a poor man would have got the same relief as the Bollywood actor.
Prasad said he has no hesitation in saying that a poor man would not have got same relief but added that Khan got the relief because his lawyers acted fast to make use of certain provisions which may not happen in the case of a poor person. He, however, added that motives should not be attributed in such cases.
Raising concern over the number of professional editors “coming down” and newspapers being “guided by their balance sheets”, he said the external threat to media or journalists can be contained because civil society, courts and people are vigilant, but the real threat was from within.
“Therefore, it is for you to see that that real threat never overtakes you,” he said.
Prasad said he admired the women journalists, whose contribution to home-making was more and yet they were carrying on with their professional lives. Stating that aggression on a journalist is nothing short of <g data-gr-id="71">attack</g> on freedom of <g data-gr-id="72">press</g>, he said that he has fixed a deadline of six months regarding complaints of journalists about intimidation.
On issues related to working conditions of <g data-gr-id="51">mediapersons</g>, Prasad suggested that journalists should not enter into contracts but then added that while it may be ideal, it may not be as simple an issue.