Katju's remarks about scribes' intellect evoke mixed reactions

The remarks of Press Council Chairperson Markandey Katju questioning the intellect of journalists evoked mixed reactions from politicians as well as media professionals today triggering a short debate on quality, content and accountability of media.

Speaking during a panel discussion at the Ramnath Goenka Journalism Awards function here, BJP leader L K Advani said that "courage, ethics and truth are far more important for a reporter" than intellectual level, which was more important for editors and columnists.

HRD Minister Kapil Sibal was of the view that TV news was like instant coffee where journalists have to put out news at a very fast pace without having the benefit of time to analyse the content. He said the visual media had "overtaken" the print media and what was shown on television was then often reported in newspapers.

Congress leader Digvijay Singh said he had no complaints with the media and that he was for "self regulation" by them. Katju said the Indian media has to provide leadership to the people at a time when the society is passing through a transition.

He said that his remarks that a majority of media people were of poor intellectual level were misunderstood and he was only trying to remind the journalists of their duties, after attending a panel discussion on the subject.

The former Supreme Court judge said at a time when the country was sitting on a volcano and the old society was crumbling and the new one has not taken its place, 90 per cent of the coverage in media was devoted to entertainment-related issues.

"47 farmers are committing suicide daily for the past fifteen .... I look up to you. Media has an important place, it has to give leadership to the people, but what are you doing," Katju said.

The Indian Express Editor-in-Chief Shekhar Gupta said though new technology has enabled anyone to become a transmitter of information, journalism is a specialised field which requires experience and training. Senior journalist Tavleen Singh was of the opinion that the media should not be singled out for criticism especially considering the flaws that existed in other institutions of the state.

Senior JD-U leader Sharad Yadav commented that the media had dome a lot to strengthen democracy but after the advent of the television media, some of its actions were not positive. Noted jurist Soli Sorabjee concluded the debate on a lighter note suggesting that for his type of news and views to be aired and published, Justice Katju should have his own newspaper and TV channel.