New Delhi, Aug 23: Focussing on media coverage of Gujarat riots, Press Council of India has censured 'Gujarat Samachar' and 'Sandesh' in eight cases and has also underlined the need for revising the code of journalistic ethics in view of the emergence of the electronic media. The censure of the two prominent Gujarati newspapers and warning to 'Tarun Mitra', 'Saamna' and 'Vishwamitra', for "transgressing" the norms relating to reporting on communal matters came when the council recently adjudicated on 24 cases relating to media coverage of the riots.
In another case, the council also asked the two newspapers to publish a rejoinder of noted dancer and social worker Mallika Sarabhai for "scurrilous" reports carried by them in April last year without verifying facts wherein personal remarks were made against her. According to a press release issued by the council, it also adopted a report of its special committee appointed to examine the role of the media during and after Gujarat riots.
Commenting upon the role played by the electronic media, the council felt the telecast of pictures raises ethical issues that required to be deliberated upon.
The council also noted that a number of times, the print media has maintained that it cannot be hauled for code violations as they have to compete with the electronic media, which has already telecast the news. Bureau Report