NEW DELHI: Most media persons and others taking part in a seminar were against the entry of foreign newspapers and periodicals into India ‘The opponents of foreign media’s entry were former Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar Jag Pradesh Chandra Leader of Opposition Delhi Assembly Vishwa Bandhu Gupta. Editors Ms Mrinal Pandey Dileep Pagdaonkar Prabhu Chawla and Justice V.B Eradi. Among those who were in favor were Congress MP Mani Shanker Atyar and Editor T.N. Ninian. The result of Gorgachev’s liberalization policies was the disintegration of the USSR said Chandra Shekhar adding if the Indian Government allows foreign Press here media distortions will crop up which will have far reaching consequences. This is not the time to look for Personal interests Observed Jag Pradesh Chandra. We must view this move by foreign media barons with a broader perspective and ‘analyze its implications. The entry of foreign Press will be constitutionally untenable politically unwise and culturally dangerous for the country. Parliament should ‘enact a definite legislation against it he demanded.

They will sell sex and violence in printed form said Vishwa Bandhu Gupta Spokesperson of the All India Small Newspapers ‘Association. According to him their main aim is to capture the Indian media market and fill it with their viewpoint. It is very dangerous for the culture of our country.

Ms Mrinal Pandey putting forth the viewpoint of the vernacular Press said the regional Press which was already under great pressure from the barons of English national dallies will suffer more by the entry of foreign Press.

Justice VD Iradi said the judiciary in the country was still now very clear about the implications of the move. We must have more such discussions and seminars over the issue So that its implications become clearer he added

if Gupta thinks that the Indian minds will be polluted by the naked female forms printed by foreigner I think he has never heard of Kama Sutra’ said Mani Shanker Adyar We area young nation but a very ancient civilization which has withstood centuries of foreign assault. A few pages of printed matter is never going to make any difference

It is a non-issue observed ‘T.N. Ninan. Most of the national papers in India Were started and owned by the Britishers. Despite that these papers performed a major role in the Indian freedom movement. So how can the entry of foreign Press be a threat to anyone now! he wondered.

The discussion on the entry of foreign media and the opinion assumes significance in view of the recent moves by foreign media barons to launch newspapers and periodicals and T’V programs from India.

Electronic media barons Rupert Murdoch and Ted Tamer have already exhibited their interest in extending their satellite-based television empire into India; and at least two foreign newspapers have made specific proposals to the Government of Indias to set up joint venture newspapers in the country.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 4, 1994