Freedom and Responsibility

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Ordeal by Fire in the Killing Fields of Gujarat
Editors Guild of India Fact-Finding Mission Report

Freedom and Responsibility  

Freedom of the press is a derivative of the citizen’s fundamental right to freedom of speech andexpression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution. It is, however, subject to “reasonablerestrictions” under Art. 19(2). While the media enjoy the right to freedom and independence in the dischargeof their duties, they are essentially trustees for the larger freedom of speech and expression. Throughjudicial pronouncements and international covenants to which India is a signatory, this includes the citizen’sright to inform and be informed. The right to know is a precious democratic right and is through this meansthat the citizen is ensured participation, transparency and accountability.  

The Indian media is privileged to enjoy a wide measure of freedom By this very token, it must exercise thisfreedom with responsibility in matters relating to public order, decency and morality, defamation andincitement to an offence. It is incumbent on the media to strive for objectivity, fairness and balance, toavoid sensationalism or anything that is liable to inflame passions, especially during periods of stress andtension. It is also obligated to make corrections and afford injured parties the right of reply. In situationsof communal strife, the Indian tradition has been to avoid naming the communities involved so as not toexacerbate tensions.  

These conventions were evolved in the 1950s and 1960s when the media was far more limited in terms of reachand circulation. There was no TV and even radio was largely confined to more affluent homes (until thetransistor revolution). News bulletins were few and by and large there was a 6 to 24-hour news cycle. No more.The information revolution and new technologies have created an instant, interconnected world intricately andextensively networked by large, small and inter-personal means of communication. The new media does notrespect 24-hour deadlines. News is disseminated in real time. The 24-hour TV news channels enter homes andwork places with immediate announcements and updates of “breaking news”. Email, the web and mobile phoneare ubiquitous.  

Despite the speed with which electronic news moves, rumour travels faster, like greased lightning. Thereare many voices, big and little, formal as well as personal carrying it here, there and everywhere. So truthand authenticated information are in constant competition with disinformation. To use the terminology ofnuclear warfare, the legitimate media must therefore enjoy first-strike capability. Else it will trail behinddisinformation, speculation and rumour, never quite catching up and merely reacting to the agenda set bymaster manipulators and vested interests. Technology has critically altered the rules of engagement betweentruth or objective news reportage and falsehood or concoction. Old norms therefore require careful review andrevalidation or amendment.    

This is obviously a complex and delicate issue that requires extensive debate and reflection so thatappropriate norms are devised for the future.  

It is in this context that modern media coverage and the reportage of Gujarat must be evaluated. It mightbe irresponsible not to portray the facts as they are with all dispatch. Like war, riots too begin in theminds of men and truth can be a defence against “information terrorism”, incitement and panic.Sensationalism, horror and excitement of passions can be moderated, if not averted, by the manner ofpresentation, the choice of words and commentary, the editing of footage and pictures, the headlines,positioning and general treatment. This is where professionalism, experienced “gatekeepers” like chiefreporters, news editors and chief sub-editors or page editors and anchors can exercise discretion underoverall top editorial control not merely during “office hours” but in anticipation of major deadlinesaround the clock.