Independent, honest journalism backbone of democracy: CJI Ramana

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Tuesday described the roles and responsibilities of media in the formation of society.

Calling independent journalism as the backbone of democracy, CJI Ramana said that it is the responsibility of media houses to present facts, as in Indian society people believe that everything in print is true.

Criticizing media houses for entering into business ventures, CJI Ramana said that "all I want to say is that the media must confine itself to honest journalism without using it as a tool to expand its influence and business interests."

However, he appreciated the Rajasthan Patrika Group for remaining true to its roots.

"In the present day and age, when media houses have entered multiple other ventures diluting their primary work, the Rajasthan Patrika group has remained true to its roots. When a media house has other business interests, it becomes vulnerable to external pressures,” the CJI said while addressing a public gathering on the release of 'Geeta Vigyan Upanishad' authored by Gulab Kothari, Chief Editor, Patrika Group.

Recalling the "dark days" of Emergency in 1975, CJI said, "You may recall that only media houses without business baggage, were able to fight for democracy during the dark days of emergency. The true nature of media houses will certainly be assessed from time to time, and appropriate conclusions will be drawn from their conduct during testing times."

Brilliant stories killed at desk: CJI

The CJI also recalled his brief stint when he worked as a journalist before studying law. Sharing the details, CJI told that he used to travel by public transport for news coverage. There was a healthy competition among journalists for doing great public interest stories.

Talking about the new era of journalism, CJI Ramana told that brilliant stories filed by a journalist are killed at the desk these days.

Don't have an award comparable to Pulitzer: CJI 

During Gulab Kothari's book release on Tuesday, CJI Ramana acknowledged the international award instituted by the Rajasthan Patrika, named after their founding editor Karpoor Chandra Kulish.

He further pointed out that there is still a huge lacuna when it comes to systemic support for journalists in India and said, "Unfortunately, we still do not have an award which is comparable to the Pulitzer, and neither do we produce many Pulitzer-winning journalists in India."

"I urge all the stakeholders to introspect that why are our standards not considered good enough for international recognition and laurels," he said.

Adding further, he said, "When a media house has other business interests, it becomes vulnerable to external pressures. Often, business interests prevail over the spirit of independent journalism, and as a result, the democracy gets compromised."

During his address, CJI also said that he is religious but not an authority on religious scripts. In the courts, we often get to see witnesses taking oath on Bhagawad Gita, CJI said.

"India is the home to mythology. Even in this modern era, India continues to be the hub of spiritualism. In fact, Bhagawad Gita is enough to show how great our country is. It is said that reading the Gita is equal to reading all scriptures. Mahatma Gandhi also considered Gita as his eternal mother," CJI added.

-With ANI inputs