‘Is TV news ready to come under Lokpal?’

Reiterating that “self- regulation is no regulation,” Press Council of India chairman Justice Markandey Katju has said if electronic channels weren’t willing to be within the ambit of the Council they should make themselves accountable to another “independent body” such as the proposed Lokpal.

Reiterating that “self- regulation is no regulation,” Press Council of India chairman Justice Markandey Katju has said if electronic channels weren’t willing to be within the ambit of the Council they should make themselves accountable to another “independent body” such as the proposed Lokpal.

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“News organisations are private bodies whose activities have a large influence on the public. (So) they also must be answerable to the public,” Justice Katju said. “How can electronic channels say they will not be accountable to anyone but themselves?” he said.

In the backdrop of broadcast editors’ pitch for self-regulation, he said: “May I remind you that even judges of the Supreme Court and high courts do not have that absolute right. They can be impeached by Parliament for misconduct...”

Similarly, lawyers come under the Bar Council; doctors are accountable to the medical council and CAs to a corresponding body.