Restrictions on press sometimes 'unreasonable': H K Dua

New Delhi, Mar 29 (UNI) Senior journalist H K Dua today said restrictions put on the press by the judiciary sometimes seemed ''unreasonable'' as it was concious of its duties.

Speaking at a workshop on ''reporting of court proceedings by media and adminstration of justice'' here, Mr Dua said, ''We (the press) know that the freedom given to us is not absolute, at the same time we have to give the people their right -- 'the right to know'.'' Commenting on the Justice S H Kapadia's remarks -- ''be the seekers of the truth, not fault finders'', Mr Dua said, ''if the fault is the truth then what do we do?'' ''We (the media) are to find faults only and we are accountable to the people. We may not know much law as you (judges), but we are concious of our duties.'' About the transparancy in appointment of judges, Mr Dua said, ''Why is Judiciary so keen on secrecy. People have the right to know but why is judiciary reluctant to give them this right?'' ''People do not know how the judges are appointed. What is the criteria? What transpires between the law minister and judges, no one knows,''he said.

Advising the judiciary to extend the scope of the RTI Act on itself as well, he said, Why does the judiciary not extend the scope of the RTI Act (Right to Information) on themselves and earn the goodwill of people.'' The two-day workshop, which started today, has been organised by Supreme Court Legal Services Committee, Press council of India, Indian Law institute, National Legal Services Authority and Editors Guild of India.

Eminent speakers from the judiciary and media, including Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan, Justices S H Kapadia, Arijit Pasayat, Editor-in-Chief Indian Express Shekhar Gupta, editor malayala Manorama Mammen Mathew, spoke their mind on the issues concerning the Media trial, reporting or sub-judicial matters, contempt of court and Freedom of press.

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