இதழ்களின் சுதந்திரம்

Lesson - 6

P20416 இதழ்களின் சுதந்திரம்

Freedom of Press

    The press acts as the representative of people in a democratic nation. Freedom of press is closely related with the growth of press as a whole. The main ingredient in freedom of press is Non-interference of the government in publishing.

In a democratic setup, press has the following duties

• Right to print
• Right to criticize
• Right to report
• Freedom of circulation

    The freedom of Information Center describes Freedom of Press as “The Right to Gain News, Printing News without Control & Regulations and Printing without Fear of Reprisal.”

    Great leaders such as Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Winston Churchill, Jawaharlal Nehru have expressed their views on the Freedom of Press.

• Mahatma Gandhi

    The aim of journals should be to understand the feelings of the people and publish them. Journals should also strive to create awareness, create aim among people. Press should also bring to light the crimes that occur in society.

• Sir Winston Churchill

    Protecting the freedom and rights of the common man is the duty of the press.

• Jawaharlal Nehru

    Freedom of Press is an important ingredient of a free democracy. Even though the government may not agree with the press on all issues, the government should not interfere in the day to day activities of the press.

Freedom of Press is also subjected to several codes of conduct.

• The truth alone should be published
• Publishing without fear
• Any sacrifice can be made to uphold truth and honesty
• Source of information should never be revealed.

Blockades on Freedom of Press

• Publishers should not be economically dependent on others. Such journals cannot function effectively.
• Certain principles should be adhered to.
• The Editor should be able to work with freedom.

    During the Emergency imposed in our country, the press was subjected to various hardships. They include

• People’s freedom was curtailed
• Press freedom was curtailed
• All the items of publication had to undergo the scrutiny of the Government.
• There was censorship for the material to be used by any media.

    From this lesson we learn that Freedom of Press is an important factor in a successful democratic setup. Great leaders have also expressed their views on the Freedom of Press and its importance. A change in government is possible though the power of the press.