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Freedom in Fetters

 
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PostPosted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 6:10 am    Post subject: Freedom in Fetters Reply with quote

Freedom in Fetters



By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu (India)



‘When truth is no longer free, freedom is no longer real’ - French Poet Jacques Prevert


The ban on relay of two popular news channels is raising serious questions in the state of Telangana about Multiple System Operators’ (MSOs) respect for press freedom/media freedom. This is a serious problem to which one must pay vigorous attention.

It is clear that the indecency of a program transmitted by TV-9 (For a better society) ridiculed the sentiments of public representatives. Recognizing the seriousness of the program, the channel immediately offered its unconditional apology for the relay. The other news channel ABN Andhra Jyothi (Most fearless channel) has been so critical as far as the core issues are concerned in the state ever since its rebirth. This dissent has brought disquiet to the present government in the new state. It faced a lot of strangulation in the united Andhra Pradesh for its veracity and verve. The derogatory episode aired by TV-9 was taken up in the Assembly of Telangana State and the Chief Minister took a serious objection to it and warned a stringent action against the channel including ABN Andhra Jyothi. Later, government did not ban these channels, but Cable Operators of Telangana State have stalled the relay of these two channels since June 16. The ban on the relay of these two channels is still on despite the unconditional apology from TV-9. Since then, the associations of journalists have been protesting against the action of MSOs. Every democratic leader in the state has condemned the act of MSOs and sought the intervention of the state governor to settle the issue. The management of ABN Andhra Jyothi approached High Court for the justice apart from seeking the intervention of the governor and the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting. This is the brief story of the entire episode of blocking the channels in the State of Telangana.

Journalists allege that the MSOs are stifling the media freedom, freedom of expression and dissent with the support of government. According to the libertarians and democrats, primarily the idea of democracy ends when anybody starts controlling the flow of information to the people. Limitations on the freedom of press/media are a dangerous trend, which has been on the rise. People in democracy should know that they have to protect information they hate as a sign of freedom of speech. The Managing Director Vemuri Radha Krishna said that the ABN Andhra Jyothi stands for public good and justice, not for the party in power and government.

The ban on the relay of two channels marks an alarming trend in the erosion of freedom of the press/media in toto in the state, which tomorrow could be used as a precedent on the other channels to stifle the freedom of media. This is a dangerous trend and can lead to a serious attrition of the press freedom. The same was stressed in a recent round-table conference of Journalists and MSOs held in Hyderabad for amicable solution. Moreover, the round-table conference suggested that the press/media should exercise the freedom judiciously.

Feeling free and safe to share information and opinions is vitally important in a democratic country. People will never be able to trust their governments, if they simply skip this constitutional right and responsibility. There is no meaning in having a democracy, if there is no sharing of information in a community. It is said that if a person is allowed to develop his own thought and shape his ideas, the progress will be possible.

• Silence conceals more truth than it reveals

Banning relay of channels can never be a solution to any issues as the media itself maintains self-regulation. A government which has strong faith in democracy can certainly guarantee the freedom of expression and dissent. The community of journalists should rise to the occasion and fight a good fight for the freedom of press/media. If the community goes silent, the same precedent can be used against any organization working for the freedom of speech. Let us all go with one voice knowing that silence conceals more truth than it reveals and jeopardizes the freedom of speech, if we work for personal scores.

• Freedom is not about good speech versus bad speech

Austrian President Heinz Fischer said one of his speeches that the freedom of press is a global concern that still needs to be fought for day by day in many countries, practical experience, however, shows that freedom of expression and press freedom are threatened time and again.

Fred M'membe, Editor of the Post (The Paper that digs deeper) said in his editorials that the freedom is not about good speech versus bad speech (some excerpts from his editorials). The most effective means of ensuring a government's accountability to its people is an aggressive, free, challenging and untrusting press/media. Both freedom of speech and press freedom often provoke public and political controversy, but experience shows us again and again that when freedom is diseased, the only cure is more freedom. The press is an essential counterweight to government, the basic check against abuse of official power. If the press is destroyed or its freedom is curtailed, society loses an effective check on the abuse of official power. There is less corruption in countries where there is press freedom, since it is key to the establishment of good governance and durable political, economical and social cultural development.

To silence criticism is to silence freedom because from the freedom of speech and thought all other liberties and rights flow. The principle of journalism is to stand up for what is right and not for what is politically feasible.
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