Came across this very interesting article that Reliance Industries has sent a legal notice to TV channels for covering a press conference-- http://www.newslaundry.com/2013/01/itna-sannata-kyun-hai-bhai/ --, now all of the channels are cowing down.
Ideally one would expect them to shout that they have been sent a legal notice and this is against freedom of speech. If anyone has to be sent a legal notice then it should be the people who had called for the press conference. Where is "India demands to know" - Arnab Goswami. This is a national interest story, and perfect for TRP if played properly!
TV channels are only a medium of information, they should not be held accountable for the information as long as "it is not their people (reporters and anchors) who are talking and their is no smart editing".
A reporter or an anchor can misinterpret an information in which case there is a possibility of a defamation. Also using the tools of editing, views can be twisted leading to misinformation, again raising a possibility of defamation. But when the medium is showing the view of an individual or an organisation then that medium cannot be held to accountability.
Its funny and extremely dangerous trend, it is this kind of media that people tend to take serious and as a gospel of truth!!
Therefore, maybe it would be the best in the interest of the larger people if we put government regulation in all over the media space.
The plus point of having a full fledged govt controlled media section is that most people would know 'The Usual Suspects' if the media is not honest in its job. Behind the garb of freedom of expression and this entire self regulation talk, if the media is not forthcoming with information and frank in its expression then we have a failing fourth estate.
Either now is one of those moments when TV channels should speak up once again on freedom of expression and self-regulation or shut up and let the government regulate it.
Would love to hear some counter views.
