New Delhi: Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar believes that government should not exercise control over media, days after he remarked that he was "philosophically" or "ideologically" willing to work towards the abolition of I&B ministry.
Addressing members of Indian Women Press Corps (IWPC), Javadekar today said that the media should have its own mechanisms so that government never needs to exercise control.
Prakash Javadekar. Ibnlive
"Ideologically and philosophically, earlier some people used to talk about withering away of the state. That was their belief," Javadekar said when a member mentioned the remark he made few days back.
"Our belief is that government should not control or run the media. The government should never need to exercise control, media should have its own mechanism," he said.
Two days ago Javadekar had in an interview said he was "philosphically or ideologically" willing to work towards abolition of the Information and Broadcasting ministry.
"Now take the case of Prasar Bharati, the biggest challenge is how Doordarshan becomes the first choice of the viewer. In whichever model it works, we'll choose that. We have given autonomy but result should also come," he said.
The freedom of press is the result of a long struggle, Javadekar said, adding that with freedom comes responsibility.
The minister also said that the government is in favour of infrastructure augmentation in border areas where the people were getting to hear propaganda of other countries but the voice of Indian government at times did not reach.
He said he was going to have consultations with Prasar Bharati and I&B ministry officials regarding this issue.
During the interaction, Javadekar mentioned that his father had worked in a publication and that he had been a member of the Press Council which is often called a "toothless wonder".
Javadekar also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has encouraged his ministers to be innovative. He said that one innovative practice that the I&B and Environment ministries, which are both under him, will start is regarding advertisements they issue.
He said it had been decided that people would be asked to provide ideas and designs for advertisements and DAVP will only release them. "We will recognise and award the good designs that are selected," he said.
On a question related to social media, Javadekar said that it is governed under the Information and Technology Act which was not administered by his ministry. He however added that the freedom afforded by social media should be used responsibly. He said misuse of social media to create tensions in society is condemnable and should not happen.
Javadekar also said that his government would try to find solutions so that working journalists can be provided wage and job security, social security and a work-life balance.
"There are issues. We will discuss them, we will sort out them, but we will ensure that the working journalists get their desired results," he said.
"We will see what can be done so all these can be provided to journalists," Javadekar said.
PTI
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