New Delhi, December 6
The Editors Guild today appealed to the Supreme Court to “intervene without delay” in the Karnataka High Court’s reported move to put curbs on the media to report on the activities of some judges under the provision of the Contempt of Courts Act.
In a statement here, the Guild President, Mr Hari Jaisingh, who is also the Editor of The Tribune, said the reported move of the Karnataka High Court under the “antiquated” Contempt of Courts Act was “unfortunate and uncalled for” and appealed to the Karnataka High Court to “review its decision and allow the media to function freely and fearlessly.”
Mr Jaisingh said the Editors Guild held the judiciary in the highest esteem. “On this depends not only the freedom of the Press but also the citizens’ right to know. The Guild appeals to the Supreme Court to intervene in the matter without delay. It is gratifying that the Chief Justice of India is already seized of the matter.”
Contending that the strength of Indian democracy lay in each constitutional authority playing its role fairly and objectively, the Guild President said: “In an atmosphere of accountability, no one should be treated above the law. The operational strength of our democracy, to a large extent, depends on how the media is allowed to play its just role in the interest of evolving a clean and transparent democratic polity.”
Mr Jaisingh said the people had the right to information and the media, both print and electronic, was expected to play a responsible role in the dissemination of information to the public.
“The institution of judiciary is bigger than individuals. On its honour and prestige depends the strength of democracy. A simple matter of the people’s right to information should not be dragged into undesirable controversies. A legitimate media activity should not be construed as an act of disrespect to the august institution of judiciary or as a sign of defiance,” Mr Jaisingh stated.
