Bhopal, Nov 10: Union HRD Minister Kapil Sibal on Wednesday said continuing “preoccupation” of the media with the corruption issues is “undermining” the nation's endeavours, good work and image.
“While the government stands committed firmly to the freedom of expression of the media, the need for self-regulation and self-restraint are equally important,” Sibal said addressing the fourth convocation ceremony at the National Law Institute University (NLIU), Bhopal.
Observing that the freedom of expression is at its “highest”, the Union minister said “with the media being free from any kind of restraint or fetters to report on anything and everything they choose, this in itself is welcome. However, the preoccupation of the media with corruption day in and day out is now undermining nation's endeavours, good work and image”.
Expressing concern over “growing sensationalism” in the media, Sibal said “the ‘Right to be Heard' and the ‘Right to Reply' for an individual “are no less sacrosanct than the Right to Allege and Insinuate”.
“For, there are many areas where the public interest and even common goodwill suffer by either the publication or premature release of sensitive and unsubstantiated information”.
“We, as a functioning democracy, have to be sensitive to respect the right of individuals,” he insisted.
Pointing to the changing scenario in the wake of globalisation and liberalisation, Sibal said expanding scope of the rule of law in India is the most important challenge.
“The process of globalisation and liberalisation is changing the dimensions of the Indian economy and polity. Rule of law in all its dimensions is today the single most important challenge the country faces,” Sibal, who also holds charge of Communications and IT Ministry, said.
The criminal and civil justice systems are under severe stress and therefore, the role of law schools in imparting legal education and developing lawyers who are rational thinkers and social engineers is central to the future of the country and to the development of a knowledge economy in India, Sibal said.
Talking about disparities between the people in the country, he said “there exists a great divide. We have one part of the nation that we call as India where there is good income, growth and prosperity and on the other part we have Bharat that is stagnant and comparatively poor”.
“While India is shining, it is not shining equally for all our citizens. For you to succeed as an individual, it is necessary that the nation succeeds in achieving ‘inclusive' growth,” he said.
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