Press Council Chairman flays poor development in Bihar

New Delhi, May 4 (ANI): Press Council Chairman Justice (retired) Markandey Katju on Friday flayed the poor level of development in Bihar.

Justice Katju also slammed reports that projected Bihar as shining under the government of Nitish Kumar.

"There is such scientific media management there, just to give the impression that Bihar is shining. I said 'Bihar Shining', where is Bihar, let me see what industries have been built, what progress, I said I travelled in Bihar. I said it's full of poverty, full of filth, rubbish, stacks of rubbish everywhere, I said where is this Bihar shining, is it only in newspapers, or is it seen to be seen with my eyes?" he said.

Justice Katju said a fact-finding committee has been constituted to investigate reports that journalists are being forced to present a positive picture of the state at the rise of losing their jobs.

Katju said this was a violation of press freedom, as journalists could rightfully state facts without being influenced by the government or any other authority.

"I have set up a three-member fact finding team, which is investigating these reports because this is a very serious thing. If the government gives a threat to media people that if they write against the government, they will lose their jobs, they will get transferred or suffer. This is violation of the freedom of the press, which is a guaranteed right under Article 19(a) of the Constitution," he said.

Justice Katju also highlighted the difference between control and regulation, and hinted that mediapersons should responsibly exercise their rights.

"Media requires regulation. You see there is a difference between control and regulation. In control, there is no freedom, in regulation, there is freedom, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions in the public interest," he said. (ANI)