Haryana CM cautions media against 'breaking news' syndrome

New Delhi, May 15 (UNI) Cautioning against the pitfalls of 'breaking news' syndrome, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said it had made both newspapers and electronic media vulnerable to presenting news and views in ''a lop-sided and half-baked'' manner, making objectivity a major casualty in the process.

Inaugurating the Silver Jubilee function of UNI Workers Union at the news agency's headquarters here, Mr Hooda said a major problem confronting the media in the existing scenario of commercialisation was how to maintain their impartiality and objectivity.

He regretted that journalism was being fast reduced to a mere profit-driven commercial enterprise, tempting journalists to 'break news' without cross-checking facts and figures.

Mr Hooda, who was the chief guest at the function, said even in the face of commercialisation and its attendant problems, journalists and media establishments should never compromise on high ethical standards, impartiality and objectivity -- the hallmarks of the Fourth Estate.

About the pitfalls of an unrestrained competition for 'breaking news', he said journalists at times tended to overlook the events in all their dimensions.

''Journalists should exercise utmost caution about publishing those news and events which may adversely impact the society and the country. If sensitive news are published by taking into account their pros and cons, national unity and social reconstruction will only be strengthened,'' he reasoned out.

Reminding the journalists ... picking up from para six, line one of DI 19, MEDIA-HARYANA CM.

UNI SKS RP DS1636