EArly Times Report
JAMMU, June 24: United Democratic Alliance (UDA) on Wednesday took strong exception to the new media policy announced by the J&K Government, terming it an assault on the freedom of speech and the role of press in democracy.
“Press is meant to agitate, investigate, scrutinize institutions and individuals, government and others. Freedom of press is what underlines the difference between democracy and despotism; it is the lifeblood of democracy,” UDA Spokesperson Rajiv Mahajan said in a statement issued here today.
“A watch-dog in the shape of the Press Council of India and similar other bodies adjudicates, regulates press under the Press Council Act of 1978. The new media policy obliquely stifles the media’s right to ask tough questions and highlight lacunae in the working of administration,” he said.
“Having government to decide what “fake, unethical and antinational” will jeopardize the free working of press, Mahajan said. |
