CHANDIGARH: The Panthic Committee led by Dr Sohan Singh which is spearheading the militant struggle has prescribed a code for newspapers, magazines and other periodicals in the country.
A six page statement received by newspapers and news agencies offices here said that the code of conduct would come into effect from December 1 and the consequences of violating it could be death.
The statement issued in the names of Dr Sohan Singh, Mr Wadhawa Singh Babbar, Mr Harminder Singh Sultanwind, Mr Mahal Singh Babbar and Mr Satinder Singh said that all those reporting from the land of Khalistan would if they violated this code, meet with memorable punishment. The statement said that some 500 reports and comments published during the past 10 years of the Khalistan struggle had provided guidelines to the proclamation of this code. The statement said that under the code of conduct all those struggling for Khalistan are to be described as militants, Khalistan freedom fighters orKhalistan mujahidin’s and not militant extremists or alleged militants. The statement said that the former Editor of the ‘Tribune, Mr Prem Bhatia had used the word terrorists to defame militants engaged in the freedom struggle. The statement also took note of the editorial written by him supporting operation Bluestar and said he had been warned now.
It further said that all newspapers had been told that no militants should be addressed as so called or self-styled or his position be stated under inverted commas. He should be addressed as mister or his position given.
The statement said that some newspapers like the Hindustan Times, The Times of India, Hind Samachar, Nawan Zamana and Lok Lehar did not use the address Sant before Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale and warned that they should desist from this practice or suffer the consequences. If no harm came to them at the moment their reporters everywhere still ran the risk of punishment the statement said.
The Panthic Committee should not be addressed as Pakistan based Panthic Committee but Panthic Committee as such. News agencies like PTI UNI and others should use the word militant and if any newspaper violates this directive by using the word “terrorist” they will have to withdraw their services from these papers. Besides, these agencies should report more from the land of Khalistan.
The statement further said that reporters and newspapers should stop indulging in sensational and gossip stories. Certain newspapers carry plants to suit their political lines and thereby violate the high ethical traditions of journalism, it said.
A few journalists, quoting intelligence agencies of political leaders, indulged in creating some kind of a political atmosphere to suit their designs. This has to stop the statement said. There is also an attempt to build up spent leaders. Some indulge in very subtle management of news. “Please remember we watch everything and shall spare no one.” It said, adding that the Panthic Committee expected dispassionate and objective reporting, based on an honest approach and not mischief.
The statement said that if the reporters based their reports on information from intelligence agencies, they should identify the sources and should not carry the plants. These sources could be quoted for the benefit of Khalistan forces. It said that journalists would have full freedom to report the weakness of the militants and their organisations. They should move around fearlessly and not run away from their duties. They should know that only the chiefs of five militant organisations could call for an explanation from the Editors of newspapers and agencies, At the district level, this right vests in district level leaders so that no journalist should have any cause for complaint. Any journalist could address his complaint to the Panthic Committee. “They can also appeal against the death penalty awarded to them by the Panthic Committee, which shall have the final say”, the statement said.
The committee said that when journalists discuss this code of conduct in their associations, they should not be angry as the experience of the past 10 years shows that most journalists do not love the Khalistani land. “They just live out here by singing songs of the government. They think there is some show going on and it is time for them to make money. They should know the complex political situation. It is a full scale war and the reporters are on the frontline, writing about this. They could be very well sent to Delhi like the ones forced to leave Srinagar. Report honestly and bravely and accept the creation of Khalistan, it said.
The committee said that Sikh Journalists who feel stifled in their organisations should report to it their genuine problems “and then see the results”. But no false complaint should be made, the statement added.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 30, 1990
