RS Questions 'Trials by Media'

New Delhi, Mar 14 (UNI) The 'Trial by Media' in certain high-profile cases figured prominently in the Rajya Sabha today with Members demanding that the Government put a stop forthwith to the sorry practice.

''Should the Media have the freedom to try -- and pass judgement upon -- the accused even while the Courts were seized of the matter'', asked an agitated C Ramachandraiah (TDP) of Home Minister Shivraj Patil during Question Hour.

Evading immediately a direct answer to the question -- which he termed as ''an important issue'', the Home Minister initially pointed out that the House itself never discussed sub-judice matters as, it was felt, the views of the members on the issue might influence the final outcome in the court.

However -- unlike Parliament, the media had ''the liberty to report'' as they wanted, the Home Minister observed.

''But should they do so unchecked... or responsibly'', he further posed rhetorically.

But then answering his poser himself, Home Minister Patil averred : ''They should do it responsibly... and not sensationalise....'' And finally coming to an end of his circumlocution, Minister Patil urged: ''We should not frame any law to curb Media freedom'' -- thereby firmly nipping in the bud the nascent attempts at muzzling Press freedom.

UNI