All media organisations need Ombudsman: Baru

Hyderabad, Nov 30 (UNI) Media Advisor to Prime Minister, Sanjaya Baru today said every media organisation in the country needs ombudsman for its effective functioning and quality mantainence.

Speaking at a seminar on 'Media Postitive Impact and Negative Influence', organised by the Press Academy of Andhra Pradesh in connection with the National Press day here, he said ''we do not need quantity of journals but we need qualilty in journalism.'' He said journalism like every profession needs a code of conduct. The pressure of competition and deadline was hampering the production of quality news, he added.

''We are not investing time required for the production of qualilty news,'' he said.

Mr Baru apprised that editorial controlling was declining at present and said, ''India is in need of good editors due to the present boom in media.'' He further said the TV channels were telecasting events without editorial control and it is not good for the society.

He said wrong stories and mistakes should be reduced while producing news and every journalist should maintain ethics in the profession. He stressed that professional talent is a must in the present age of cut throat competition.

According to Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission Chairman Justice B Subhashan Reddy the press was entitled to focus on grievances of the people.

''The press should point out the difficulties of the citizens and there by highlight them for the attention of concerned authorities, he said.

He said sensationalisation of news was uncalled for.

''More awarenss should be created among journalists on their rights and duties,'' Mr Reddy said.

He stressed the need for constituting self-regulatory bodies under the Press Council of India and said amendments must be made to the Press Council Act to give it more powers for effective functioning.

Chairman of the Andhra Pradesh Press Academy Devulapalli Amar who was also present on the occassion explained the various activities taken up by the academy to improve the standard and knowledge of the professional journalists.

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