Coimbatore: The paid news syndrome has resulted in the media becoming more careful while reporting events and laying more focus on society, Press Council of India chairman G N Ray said here on Saturday.
Speaking to reporters here, he said the Committee on paid news has already submitted its report to the Government, which would soon be placed in Parliament. Ray said the media, being a vibrant partner of society, should have a system of self-introspection and some limitations while dealing with news and criticism or doing negative stories.
In this context, he referred to `exposes` on the Common Wealth Games and said over exposure and repeated trials on CWG would lower the country`s prestige. Stating that newspapers are the mirror of society, bringing together multi-ethnic, multi-lingual people,he said it has also a great responsibility to restrain itself on emotionally fragile issues like the Ayodhya title suit verdict.
To a question, he said PCI was considering bringing the electronic media under its gambit and to set up a Media Commission, with larger participation. Asked if PCI required more teeth or punitive powers, Ray, here to participate in a seminar on `the role of journalists in protecting democracy` said it is not the council`s mandate and that it did not want to punish any newspaper.
On a suggestion that there be an act on the lines of IPC 353 (preventing government servants from discharging their duties) to protect journalists, he said this would be brought to the government`s notice.
PTI
