BANGLORE, India: The Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, Mr. Ajit ‘Kumar Panja claimed that as elected representative he has the right to decide what the public should not know through the government ‘owned media of radio and television, Panja who was here in connection with the SAARC summit told at the called conference that there was no blacking of certain ‘news item in radio and T.V. The authorities resorted to delicate editing in the interest of peace and integrity of the country. For being closely monitored radio and Door Darshani the discretion is used in certain critical situations like the assassination of Mrs. Gandhi, attack on Prime Minister’s life at Raj Ghat. Mr. Punja says that in democracy he has more responsibility towards the life and security of 750 million people. It was better to give the news built than give the wrong impression, When asked how as a minister, he could decide how the public should know the truth. He said that he has been elected by the people and they have given us the mandate. In ‘a democracy there is a process to be followed It does not please us to delay the news.
Article extracted from this publication >> November 21, 1986
