Mangalore: Following professional ethics vital for journalists, lawyers - Advocate
Pics: Brijesh Garodi
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (DV)
Mangalore, Jun 22: “Being up to date with current happenings and following professional ethics are the two basic and equally important parameters which assist journalists as well as advocates in their professions,” said veteran advocate Shankar Bhat.
He was addressing a workshop on ‘Media and Law’ held at Press Club here on Saturday June 22.
Briefing about the legal challenges often faced by journalists, Shankar Bhat said, “Law is as factual as science. Freedom of expression is a right provided by the Indian Constitution in Article 19 and this right is enjoyed by every citizen. Journalists have to face many hurdles while they abide by the law. Article 19(2) of the Constitution curtails the freedom of expression. Journalists have no special provision of freedom of speech and expression in the Constitution. The freedom of expression can be restricted for various reasons like sedition, defamation and contempt of court.”
He further added, "The Contempt of Courts Act was amended in 1971; in this Act the editor is more answerable to the court if the journalist or his writings interfere in the judicial proceedings or tend to scandalize the court or provide information about a case which is sub-judice.
"The Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Representation of Peoples Act have restricted journalists from revealing the names of victims of sexual assault and juvenile victims. If the reporter fails to abide by the law, he has to face the consequences," he said.
Commenting on the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act and Drug and Magic Remedies Act, Bhat said, “Unfortunately, today we can find many firms violating these Acts. If any firm uses media to fool the people in the name of magic, action can be taken against that particular media organization.
“Any journalist, who writes with an intention to harm the reputation of an individual without social concern, it will be considered as defamation. Though there is no particular parameter to define defamation, this can be solved by the law court or judge-made law process. For example, if a reader reads a published material on any individual, in which the image of a person is completely tarnished and the society rejects the person by reading the published material, then it is considered as defamation,” he said.
Ronald Anil Fernandes, senior reporter of Deccan Herald also spoke on the occasion.
Veenu Vinodh introduced the resource person, while P B Harish Rai welcomed and Ramakrishna, president of Press Club thanked.
P B Harish Rai, president of DK Working Journalists’ Union, Srinivas Nayak Indaje, secretary of DKWJU were present on the occasion.