Monopoly of corporate houses in media not good sign: Katju

Lucknow, Sep 16: Press Council Chairperson Justice Markandey Katju on Sep 15 said the increasing tendency of monopoly of corporate houses in journalistic world was not a "good sign".

"Along with the freedom of earning more and more money, the newspapers should realise their responsibility towards the society," Katju, who was here to address a discussion on 'Increasing Tendency of Monopoly in Media', said.

He said that while six per cent of the major entities in media are corporate houses, the remaining 94 per cent are small newspapers. Katju said that small papers should be promoted and government should give them advertisements like media associated with corporate houses, adding that the advertisement distribution system should be made "transparent".

The Press Council chairperson said that media should focus on burning issues, instead of running 24 hours news relating to film stars and cricketers to increase TRP.

Katju claimed that in democracy every person and organisations were accountable towards the people, but media wants to keep itself away.

PTI