Srinagar, May 16: Saying that both judiciary and media have an important role to play, Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir Wednesday said that media is pivotal constituent of democracy as it not only serves as a conduit for dissemination of knowledge and information from Government to masses and vice-versa but also keeps a check and vigil over other three components of governance.
 Mir said that it is the most viable source for expressing views by the masses and information of public opinion and perception about Government policies.
 Mir was addressing a conference on ‘Role of media and judiciary in India” organised by All India Centre for Urban & Rural Development at youth hostel here.
 The Minister said that media in a democratic set up can help people in nourishing their rights and realizing their responsibilities.
 “When we look at the present day scenario, we analyze that there is a developing trend - trial by media- which sometimes is seen far from authenticity and truth,” he said.
 Mir said that it has its impact and “if the practice continues, the people will slowly lose their faith in the media which will certainly have disastrous consequences”.
 “We know that a trial by press, electronic media is very antithesis of rule of law. It can at times lead to miscarriage of justice. A judge has to guard himself against such pressure and has to be guided strictly by rule of law”, he said.
 The Minister said that with strong judiciary, there is a need for media to become more conscious and responsive. “I won’t hesitate to say that the media specifies the art and act of democracy. “Being a powerful tool, the media, often referred as the 4th pillar of Indian democracy, has certain responsibilities such as to serve as a bridge and as an interface between the Government and the common man. Secondly, it is their responsibility to bring important events to light,” he said.
 “I would urge the media of our nation to do truthful and honest coverage of all the events and create such an atmosphere where a healthy democracy can breathe. I may differ with what media says but I will always defend its right to say it,” he said.
 “We have been witnessing frequent leaks of confidential information to the media and there is a move for setting up guidelines to that effect. This could lead to a hot debate in coming days and could bring media and judiciary in collision. Reporting matters pending before the courts would have to be very guarded one and within constitutional guarantees and with the objective of social and cultural progress”, he said.
 The Minister said that no right can be absolute as every right is subject to reasonable restrictions in the public interest.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 IST