Shekhawat stresses on code of ethics for media

Hubli, Apr 22 (UNI) Vice-President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today stressed the need to evolve a self imposed code of ethics for the media to report truthfully and without any bias, as only a credible Press report had the potential to win the confidence of the people.

Speaking as the chief guest at the platinum jubilee celebrations of renowned Kannada daily 'Samyukta Karnataka' here, he said ''all these years, I have found that the most important aspect is to establish the credibility of the Press with the people. Only a professionally responsible Press can remain credible. The times are now changing fast. Press also needs to prepare its future road map and carve out its role in the changed scenario and be able to mirror the wider and more fundamental concerns facing the country.'' Mr Shekhawat said that during his long public life spanning over 50 years, he had a warm and friendly relationship with the media. He had been a witness to the glorious tradition of media's important role in public discourse with its vigorous and independent coverage and analysis of many important issues in the post-independence era like the role of public sector, land reforms, thrust of five-year plans, women's issues, foreign policy perspectives, issues of price rise, corruption and mal-administration.

He said Press had a vital role to play in deepening the roots of democracy. If the world today acknowledged that India was a democracy in the true sense of the term, it was because of the vibrancy of media in forming public opinion and creating an informed citizenry. Democracy grew through dissemination of information, expression of views and constructive criticism for improved public governance and for all this, mass media was the most powerful medium, he added.

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