NEW DELHI, India: India’s ‘burgeoning media sees itself increasingly under attack from a government wary of its growing influence and independence. Hundreds of journalists and newspaper offices across the country have been attacked or harassed in recent years for publishing stories not palatable to the powers that be, according to news reports and independent investigations. ‘A few journalists have been killed, many jailed and many more attacked.
“Yes, there is no doubt the Press is under attack,” V.P. Malik, secret any of the Press Council of India, told Agency France Presse. “One reason is government intolerance.”
“The Council is an autonomous body that seeks to preserve freedom of the Press and improve standards of journalism. It also investigates allegations of harassment and attacks on journalist.
Today, the fourth estates in the forefront of the campaign against alleged corruption in Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s government, s0 much so that the premier has accused the Press of trying 10 destabilize his government.
“The media, exposing Mr. Ganahi and his friends, is no doubt under attack,” said Inder Mohan , President of the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).“The trouble is that it is busy exposing
Individuals, not the system which breeds corruption”.
One of India’s leading journalists Kuldip Nayar, said the credibility of the fourth estate had gone up after the recent exposures of arms deals “and the common man today thinks the Press is the only vehicle to get true information”.
Mr. Nayar said even members of parliament were now telling senior journalists: “It’s now up to you people to expose this government in true colors”.
Article extracted from this publication >> October 2, 1987
