Express disagreement through debate: Pranab Mukherjee

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Nov 16, 2015(DHNS): Against the backdrop of ’intolerance’ debate, President Pranab Mukherjee today said disagreement should be expressed through debate and discussion without letting emotions "overrun reason".

Observing that "sensitive minds" sometimes get disturbed by some incidents in the society, he advocated a "balanced" expression of concern over such events.

"Sensitive minds sometimes get disturbed by some incidents in society. But, expression of concern over such events should be balanced. Emotions should not overrun reason, and disagreement should be expressed through debate and discussion," the President said addressing an event organised by the Press Council of India (PCI) on the occasion of National Press Day here.

"We must, as proud Indians, have confidence in the idea of India and the values and principles enshrined in our Constitution. India has always been able to self-correct whenever such a need has arisen," he added while speaking on the topic ’The impact and import of cartooning and caricatures as a medium of expression of opinion’.

Although the President did not refer to any particular incident, his comments assume significance as these came against the backdrop of certain cases which were seen as reflection of ’intolerance’.

At the fuction, he paid tributes to legendary cartoonists like RK Laxman and Rajinder Puri. He also referred to Jawaharlal Nehru and said he used to repeatedly tell cartoonist V Shankar to not spare him in his work.

"This open mindedness and appreciation of genuine criticism is one of the lovable traditions of our great nation, which we must preserve and strengthen," Mukherjee said.

The President also said that freedom of the press in India forms part of the freedom of expression which is guaranteed by the Constitution as a fundamental right.

In a democracy, he said, various challenges will emerge from time to time and these should be addressed collectively. "We must ensure that the letter and spirit of the law always remains a living reality," he said.

Speaking at the event where Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore and PCI chairman Justice (retd) C K Presad were present, Mukherjee also said that the growth of newspapers and agencies in the country has its roots in our freedom struggle.

In his speech, Rathore said Press has been free in India but for a few occasions, "about which you are all aware of", an apparent reference to the Emergency period.

The Minister, however, added that these are also "testing and dangerous times" for people who speak the truth.

"Paid news" and "physical harm" are the tools in the hands of a few individulas, who either want to muzzle the press or want the press to become their mouthpiece, he said.

Asserting that the government stands for freedom of press, he cited a speech of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he had said that because of the media, the government can realise the essence of what people want in five minutes rather than five years and there is scope, if required, of mid-course correction.

"The Government of India stands by providing security and safety to its entire citizens. In the last one month, there has been talk of intolerance in our country. There is no debate on this topic. India is and will forever remain, the most tolerant nation in the world," he said.

The few, who take law into their hands, need to be dealt by the states, strictly, Rathore said, while noting that law and order is the responsibility of the states and they must ensure the safety of journalists and also their entire population.

He said the Prime Minister had made it clear that his government stands for civil and individual liberties of all citizens.

Rathore said the PCI must be strengthened and it should ensure freedom of press and also promote ethical journalism.

The minister also said that it is important that information should not become infotainment and sensation should not prevail upon sense. He also added that journalists should write about politics but not give political spin.

Mukherjee spoke about how the press in India evolved, not through the aegis of the government but due to the commitment of individuals who used it to fight oppressive policies of the colonial Government.

He said the credibility and quality of Indian media is well recognized all over the world and new media has brought about a convergence between traditional, audio-visual, digital and social media.

The President said the Press has become a powerful means for shaping ideas, aspirations and behaviour of people, even in the remotest parts.

"This entrusts media with an additional responsibility," he said asking journalists to act as a watchdog of public interest and give voice to the marginalized while providing objective and balanced coverage of news.

Mukherjee also said that gloom and dark alone should not dominate news coverage and conscious effort should be made to show what is noble and good in the society.

The President also emphasised that the conduct of media itself should be above board as independence and integrity are two sides of the same coin.

Sensationalism, he said, should not substitute for objective, accurate and dispassionate reporting.

He advised that caution should be exercised in passing judgements, especially on matters where the due process of law is yet to be completed.

"It is said accusations appear in headlines, denial in small print and contradictions are hidden away amidst cheap advertisements," Mukherjee said, adding that media must realise that it remains always accountable to its readers and viewers and through them, to the entire nation.