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The Vice President, Shri Mohd. Hamid Ansari presented the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards 2010-11, in |
The Vice President of India M. Hamid Ansari has said that experience shows that the best guarantee for safeguarding the public interest is to have strong and independent-minded editors. Today, they are an endangered species. Addressing after presenting “Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards 2010-11” at a function here today, he said that slow erosion of the institution of the editor in Indian media organisations is a reality. He said that when media space and media products are treated solely in terms of revenue maximisation strategies, editors end up giving way to marketing departments.
Ansari opined that we have as yet not had an informed debate in the country on the issue of multiple-ownership and cross-ownership nor a cogent national media policy that covers all platforms. He said, “This is at variance with the practice of other developed democracies. The impact of the emergence of a handful of media conglomerates spanning the entire media spectrum in moulding public opinion, generating political debate and safeguarding consumer and public interest is a moot question.” Ansari said that the matter assumes urgency in the wake of moves towards consolidation in the media sector. While the entry of large corporates into the media sector is to be expected, especially to address the growing capital requirements, ensuring transparency and instituting effective and independent oversight in consultation with the industry could address such concerns, he added. ---PIB
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