National Press Day 2013 observed today

15-11-2013 पर प्रकाशित

Celebrating responsible and free press: National Press Day 2013 observed today

Courtesy:INBMINISTRY

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President’s address at the Press Council of India on the celebrations of National Press Day, New Delhi                                        16-November-2006 15:43 IST
Following is the text of President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam’s address at the Press Council of India on the celebrations of National Press Day, New Delhi:
Press a partner in National Missions
"Media is the medium”
I am delighted to participate in the National Press Day. I would like to greet all of you on this great occasion. Forty year is indeed a big period and definitely Indian Press would have grown in many spheres of reporting. From now, to the year 2020, is a very important period for the nation. National Press definitely has to get transformed into media of billion people and above all they have to play a vital role as a partner of India’s economic development. The combination of economic development and preservation of values system drawn from our civilizational heritage will transform India into a happy, prosperous and safe nation.

Friends, when I see you all, you are very important component of the society, I recall my experiences of visiting all the States and Union Territories, and witnessing the unique ambience of the seven hundred million people living in 600,000 villages equivalent to 200,000 Panchayat’s. What is that ambience? I call that ambience as, “A scene of sweat”. It is the farmers in the agricultural field, it is the fishermen in the rough seas, it is the worker in the industries, teachers in the schools, knowledge workers in the laboratories, knowledge and Pharma industries, health workers removing the pain at all times in healthcare institutions and many other people, who have to be always remembered by this great media community. In politics, there are two components: political politics and the other important element development politics. Most of you give importance to political politics. The nation’s important need is development politics. Your reporting in this area is essential. That is how I have selected the topic for discussion today as “Press a partner in National Missions”.

Media as a partner in national development.

Friends, I would like to share with you a few experiences that are relevant to the media today.

(a) Fellows of NVA:
M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) is engaged in the capacity building activity for rural development through rural youth. The Foundation had organized a meet of the national fellows some time back. The title of “Fellow” is normally attached with the academicians, intellectuals, scientists, historians and economists. Here, the fellows I am talking about are the farmers, fishermen or craftsmen drawn from various walks of life, who can make a difference to people living in the rural ambience. Their only potential is experience and enthusiasm to serve society. 

I had met and interacted with over 140 fellows coming from different rural parts of the country. It is indeed a celebration of our rural core competence. The Foundation has really thought of an innovative scheme to recognize and train the people who are wedded to rural development and empowering them to promote rural transformation in certain areas. Particularly, I was impressed by the choice of fellows such as Mr. Anwarji of Balipara, Assam who has core competence in education, suitable for local people in areas such as literacy, sanitation and the use of ICT. Ms. Pushpa Ben of Village Sokhada, Gujarat who has the core competence in water conservation and vegetable vending; Ms. Vijyantha Raut of Nimgoan Bhogi, Maharastra who has the core competence of social work particularly in micro credit movement, Mr. Narsingh Singh from Charanwala Bajju village of Rajasthan who has the core competence in Computer education in rural areas; Mr. V. Deenadhayalan from Umbalchery village, Tamil Nadu with core competence in indigenous live stock keeping and also practicing animal healing using herbal plants. This clearly indicates the spectrum of experience of the fellows selected. I would recommend that journalists should interact with such grassroot social reformers and bring out their core competence, dedication and experience in serving rural communities, which can become a model for our youth to follow.

Friends, after I took over as President, apart from visiting States for participating in various functions, I also have interacted with students and people from rural areas wherever possible. I have also addressed the State Legislatures wherever possible. So far I have addressed 12 State Legislatures. In my addresses, the central message has been how the State can be economically developed with high Human Development Index, and how to increase the per capita income of the State? I normally give 8 to 10 missions. These missions have been developed based on the inputs from the Planning Commission, consultation with State ministries, the core competence of the State and the rural development profile of the State which are mapped to Vision 2020 targets. I would suggest that the media personnel should study, research and analyze these missions and put forth the actions and suggestions to the executives, leaders contribute to the development of the corresponding States.

b. Pro-active Media:
I would like to share with you an out-of-the box solution. After my address to the Kerala Legislative Assembly on the “Missions for Kerala’s prosperity”, there was a detailed discussion in the Kerala Assembly amongst all political parties. As you know, the media in Kerala is very alert and dynamic. They took up the mission and extended the discussion to the people and all the political leaders, inviting suggestions from all of them. I would like to share with you how Malayala Manoroma contributed to the document which I presented to the Kerala Assembly. Malayala Manoroma translated this document “Missions for Kerala’s prosperity” and ensured that it reached all the readers and various active development groups. Also the media organized six workshops, in different places in the State for discussing all the ten missions and seeking the operational problems and their solutions. In this workshop, ministers, political leaders, government functionaries and media personal participated. I also interacted with them during the concluding session through video conferencing. The media finally submitted their recommendations to the Government for implementation. This proactive step undertaken by the media shows how the media can be an effective partner in the national development. 

Friends, I am sharing this experience with you, which is very important for the media to be a partner in national missions, such as Developed India 2020, PURA and the recently sanctioned “Bharat Nirman” programme with an investment of Rs. 1,74,000 Crore to be executed in 4 years by the Government. There is another important programme, called the Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme covering 200 districts. In addition, the Government has also passed an act called the “Right to Education Act’ for providing compulsory and free education to all children between 5 to 13 years. All these programmes are very important national programmes and particularly the media should take interest, highlight the positive aspects and provide solutions to difficult aspects through nationwide consultations. This will certainly make a difference in the implementation of the programme and bring smiles to the faces of our billion people. 

The economic development has got a tremendous link with the standards of ethics in the country and dynamics of globalization. Hence I will be discussing certain development goals in our country.

Now, I would like to discuss some of the innovative development programmes that need media attention, which I have come across in different parts of the country.

c.PURA (Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas):
The integrated method which will bring prosperity to rural India is called PURA, which envisages four connectivities: the physical connectivity of village clusters through quality roads and transport; electronic connectivity through tele-communication with high bandwidth fiber optic cables reaching the rural areas from urban cities and through internet kiosks; knowledge connectivity through education, skill training for farmers, artisans and crafts persons and entrepreneurship programmes. These three connectives will lead to economic connectivity through the establishment of enterprises with the help of banks, micro credit and marketing of products. We need to establish approximately 7000 PURA Complexes in the country encompassing over 2 lakh Village Panchayats.

d. Operational PURA:
There are already four operational PURAs in the country pioneered by private institutions independent of Government efforts. They are the Periyar PURA in Vallam, Tamil Nadu, Loni Pura in Loni, Maharastra, Chitrakoot PURA in Madhya Pradesh and Byrraju PURA in Andhra Pradesh. Now I would like to share the experiences of my recent visit to Byyraju PURA in Bhimavaram, Andra Pradesh. Byrraju Foundation of Satyam Computer Services has undertaken the mission of establishing 32 Ashwini centers benefiting 116 villages with a population of around 500,000 people. It has provided electronic connectivity through wireless (512 kbps to 2 mbps), knowledge connectivity in cooperation with the National Academy of Construction, Hyderabad and other domain experts, thereby creating economic connectivity in these villages.

e. Economic Connectivity:
During the last 4 years of its operations, it has skill enabled and knowledge enabled people in areas such as construction, tailoring, garment production, IT and spoken English. This programme has resulted in the creation of 3000 jobs with the minimum earning of Rs. 3000 per month, which is 3 times that of the earlier earning potential. A rural BPO Gram IT, established in Jallikakinada center has trained unemployed graduates in IT skills and spoken English and employed one hundred people to do BPO operations such as transaction processing of Human Resource data of Satyam Computers as back office processing; data processing of one million self-help-group members of Andhra Pradesh such as financial data, accounting data, spending patterns and cultural aspects under the programme “Mapping the bottom of the Pyramid”. This Gram IT BPO has led to the 10% reverse migration from Hyderabad to Bhimavaram. I am sure this Model can be replicated by many of our IT companies in the rural sector to create PURA clusters and bring rural transformation. Journalists assembled here today can definitely study this PURA and analyze the impact it has made in improving the quality of life for the people living in this cluster. Based on this study, they can spread the message of the benefits of PURA to different regions in the country. Now I would like to talk about the important facility established by the Ministry of Agriculture which should be brought to the notice of all rural people in the country for deriving maximum benefits.

f. Chhattisgarh Bhaktara PURA:
Recently, I was in Chhattisgarh, where I inaugurated a PURA complex at Baktara village in Arang Tehsil of Raipur District. This PURA complex covering 22 villages with a population of 36,000 people is coming up and very soon it will be a vibrant PURA with high quality 4 lane roads with Battery operated and Bio-diesel buses, 1000 modern dwelling units, quality health care facility with 250 bed hospital and a state-of-the-art school by DAV Institution and paramedical and nursing training institutions. The Corporate have committed to establish these facilities linked to the schedule of commission of the PURA within next 5 years. I thought of sharing this experience with you to give an idea how the areas are fast developing in different parts of our country. Central Government is planning to create 2 PURA clusters in each district across the country as a part of the 11th plan programme. Media’s interest in PURA is indeed will be the interest of village development of the country and there by economic development of the nation.

Media Research
I have a suggestion particularly to the members of the media consisting of editors, journalists, correspondents and reporters. In our country, it is essential to have research wings in academic institutions developing media personnel in reporting news, event analysis and highlights. This will enable our journalists to carry out original research on topics of national interest and provide solutions to medium and long term problems. The owners of newspapers should encourage research being carried out by experienced and young reporters for acquiring post-graduate qualifications which will improve the quality of content of the print media. Participating media members must realize that continuous updating of knowledge in research environment is essential for all media personnel. For example, before any issue is discussed in foreign newspapers, they send it to an internal research group where data is studied; verified and factual news is generated and sent for publication. When there was a critical comment about outsourcing to India, a US journalist stayed in India and studied the issue and found out that the companies engaged in Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) were carrying out business using imported equipment from USA and Europe. Thus, they found that the BPO industries provided an indirect market for the hardware industries of the USA and Europe. Immediately this was reported in the Indian media in a big way. Similarly a Discovery Channel media person wanted to study India’s growth in Information Technology; Thomas Friedman came to India and stayed for a month and visited Bangalore and other places. Based on his news analysis he wrote a book titled “The World is Flat”. Such is the power of research. I would suggest our Indian newspaper agencies should encourage research being carried out by our correspondents and journalists within India in academic research institutions, which will definitely improve the quality of our reporting and enhance the participation of journalists in national development missions.

Missions for media
In the present development context of the nation, I would like the media to take up the following missions for immediate implementation. 1. A media movement: Developed India before 2020.

2. Media becoming a development partner in the programme of PURA (Providing Urban amenities in Rural Area) – connectivity is the focus.

3. Celebrating every aspect of the success of the people of the State and the Nation particularly in rural areas.

4. Evolution of corruption free India before 2015.

5. Promoting an enlightened society, which means education with value system, transforming religion into a spiritual force and building economic prosperity of the nations based on their core competence. For this mission, a unique world body is essential. 

6. Print media and electronic media should bring honor to the womanhood.

7. Scanning and digitizing all old issues of the print media since its establishment and store in a digital library to preserve our national heritage and make it available for research.

8. Media should evolve a code of conduct among themselves for ensuring that all reporting is analyzed, evaluated, and researched prior to publication. This is essential for peace, prosperity and safety of the nation.

Conclusion
Friends while I am discussing the necessity of having the code of conduct for the media, I would like to share with you a healthy practice being evolved and followed by a newspaper which is published all over the country. They have appointed a consultant exclusively for maintaining the standard of the newspaper reporting and nurture the name of the paper, thereby ensuring that all the guidelines are adhered to by the reporters. There is a constant review of the quality of reporting and improvement in the guidelines. This may be followed by the media organizations all over the country to continuously improve the quality and maintain the consistency of news reporting. 

The Members of Press council of India may undertake the task of motivating every citizens of the nation to work towards transforming India into a developed nation well before 2020. This is the mission which has to be done unitedly by all the media organizations. Once again let me greet you all on the occasion of the 40th National Press Day and wish you success in your mission of igniting the minds of our youth for making positive contribution towards the development of our nation.

May God Bless you.
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DS/SK

PHILIPPINES: Editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Davao convicted by the court

September 5, 2013                                                                                Thu, Sep 5, 2013 at 1:28 PM   

A Statement from the Asian Human Rights Commission

Why journalists should be convicted for libel for publishing a police report?

After nine years of trial, on September 3 Stella Estremera, editor-in-chief of Sun.Star Davao; and Antonio Ajero, the newspaper's former publisher, were convicted by a local court in Digos City for a criminal case of libel. They were convicted based on the complaint of Baguio Saripada, a former city government employee, after his name was included in the list of 32 suspected drug users and pushers who surrendered to the police. The article was published in the newspaper on July 28, 2003.

At the conclusion of the trial, Judge Carmelita Sarno-Davin, presiding judge of the Regional Trial Court (RTC) 18, held Estremera and Ajero guilty "for failing to get the side of complainant", and imposed a "P 6,000 fine "with subsidiary imprisonment in case of insolvency" and P 200,000 for moral damages to the complainant". This conviction is the latest case on libel involving journalists in the Philippines. However, unlike previous convictions on libel cases, Estremera and Ajero were convicted not because their article was critical, but because they quoted a police report in it. In that report, the source of information by the Reporter is a police blotter or report.

In Estremera and Ajero's case, the judgement is a regression to the standard of test and the threshold of what constitutes a crime of libel.

In the Philippines, libel is still a criminal offence in Article 355 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC), and imposes a penalty of imprisonment and fine. The Government defended the keeping of libel as a criminal offence by law to protect 'reputation' and 'constitutional rights' of the aggrieved person. It argued that the "enjoyment of a private reputation is a constitutional right" and that individuals are protected by law from "slanderous attack". They made it clear in the case of Alexander Adonis, a radio broadcaster who was convicted and imprisoned for libel, when he filed a complaint at the UN Human Rights Committee (UN Doc CCPR/C/103/D/1815/2008, para 4.2).

But Estremera and Ajero could not have damaged the reputation or slandered Saripada, the complainant, when they published his name in the article. They were reporting stories about alleged involvement of government employees in using and selling illegal drugs by citing official police reports. These types of stories are of public interest. If any person is to be held accountable it should be the policemen who produced the report, not the editor or the publisher who merely publish by quoting the police report. The police investigation reports are official documents considered as reliable, not only by journalists, but even by the judiciary as accurate and authentic. They are presumed to be correct.

The conviction of Estremera and Ajero made it clear that any journalist or editor, whether or not their writings are critical of a government employee or public officials, they could be prosecuted and had to endure trial for many years and the threat of imprisoned for libel. Clearly, what the Court's decision means is this: the failure of Estremera and Ajero to get the side of the complainant has become the crime, not whether the publication of the name of the complainant as one of the drug users and sellers is slanderous or not. The publication of the article can in no way constitute a crime as neither of them have made criticisms or slandered the complainant but, as mentioned above, merely published the police report in which the complainant was named.

The AHRC understands that the right to freedom of expression can be subjected to restrictions, and is not an absolute right. In this case, the issue is not whether the journalists caused damage to the 'reputation' or violated the 'constitutional rights' of the complainant because they merely published the police report for the public to read. The utmost responsibility in protecting the 'reputation' of the complainants falls on the police as the originator of the report. As such, the responsibility for the supposed damage to the complainant's reputation falls on the police as well, not to the journalists who merely reports stories about crimes the police investigated into.

The impact of the court's decision, if it is not corrected, would be that any journalist, who reports and quotes official reports can be prosecuted tried and imprisoned. We are deeply concerned by the negative impact of the court's decision. This decision exposes any journalist to unnecessary risks or threats of criminal prosecution. This could further lead to self-censorship, a decline in critical thinking, and of demanding accountability from government employee and officials.

The AHRC, therefore, urges the local court to reconsider its judgement. If this judgement is neither corrected nor challenged, it will give rise to serious repercussions to the already fragile and narrowing space of the exercise of freedom of expression in the country. This judgement has put into question how the court interprets in protecting the right of journalists in ensuring that they can exercise freely editorial independence, and without fear of being prosecuted for criminal offenses.

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

PM's Speech at the inauguration of the National Media Centre

24-August-2013 11:7 IST
Credibility is the media’s currency 
Following is the text of the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh's address at the inauguration of National Media Centre in New Delhi today: 

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh unveiling the plaque to inaugurate the National Media Centre, in New Delhi on August 24, 2013. The Chairperson, National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari, the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Bimal Julka and the Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Smt. Neelam Kapur are also seen. (PIB)

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh addressing at the inauguration of the National Media Centre, in New Delhi on August 24, 2013. The Chairperson, National Advisory Council, Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari and the Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Shri Bimal Julka are also seen.     (Photo:PIB)

"It gives me immense pleasure to be here today on an occasion that represents a milestone in public engagement. The inauguration of the National Media Centre is not only about unveiling New Delhi’s latest landmark. This Centre also showcases our ability to keep pace with similar state-of-the-art facilities across the world. It symbolizes the vibrant mood of the existing media landscape in our country. As a ‘Communication Hub’ and a ‘Single Window’ facility, I am sure it will fulfill the needs and requirements of our media fraternity, many of whom are present here today. 

The exponential growth in India’s media sector began during the decade of the nineties. The media, not coincidentally, were among the principal beneficiaries of the wave of economic reforms that were introduced in the country during that period. Growing economic activity created the need for better and more intensive communication, which itself had a commercial aspect to it. A virtuous cycle came about in which the increased reach of media, both print and electronic, opened up ever newer markets, which benefited producers and consumers alike. In fact, I would like to think that the phenomenon of India as a world power in cricket has something to do with the fact that our electronic media are able to create and unite a huge block of consumers, reaching which is the dream of many marketing professionals. 

The story of reform and liberalization in the media sector, which is a continuing one, is obviously a success story. The size of the media industry alone demonstrates that very amply. But the media are not merely a mirror of business activity; they are a reflection of the entire society at large. Economic reform and liberalization over the last two decades and more have wrought great societal change in our country. Our media have reflected this process and also been affected by the associated changes. I would even say that the pace of these changes has been so rapid that the documentation of its impact on the media has been somewhat inadequate. Technological advancements like the internet, telecom revolution, low cost broadcasting, social media and cheaper publishing facilities that exist today were inconceivable two decades ago. 

Change inevitably brings challenge in its wake. Those of you who are the practitioners of the media industry have a very special responsibility to assess, tackle and overcome the challenges that two decades of socio-economic change have brought about. In a vibrant democracy such as ours, which revels in free enquiry and quest for answers, this is a significant calling. But there is need for caution while executing this responsibility. A spirit of inquiry must not morph into a campaign of calumny. A witch-hunt is no substitute for investigative journalism. And personal prejudices must not replace the public good. 

At the end of the day, credibility is the media’s currency and is integral to its contract with the reader or viewer. There is also the question of a certain responsibility for social harmony and public order. I emphasize this particularly in the light of the social media revolution, which is rendering irrelevant the lines between a connected citizen and professional journalist. A mature and wise handling of this phenomenon is essential if we are to avoid the tragedy last year that befell many innocent souls who became victims of an online propaganda campaign and were then driven across the country to save their lives in their home states. 

It is a reality that journalism cannot be divorced from the business of which it is a part. The responsibilities of a media organization are not limited to the viewers and readers alone. The companies also have an obligation to their investors and shareholders. The tussle between bottom-lines and headlines is a fact of life for them. But this should not result in a situation where media organizations lose sight of their primary directive, which is to hold up a mirror to society and help provide a corrective. 

The media and civil society are an essential part of democracy and nation building. Now that we are at a decisive stage in taking our rightful place in the comity of nations, I am confident that they will not be found wanting in this collective effort to consolidate India as a plural, inclusive and progressive society. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to reiterate the commitment of the UPA Government in fostering a free, pluralistic and independent media. Our initiatives aim to bridge the ‘Information Divide’ and to provide our citizens knowledge and information so as to equip them to respond to social, economic and technological challenges. Our communication architecture is aimed at empowering our people with quality information. Through the innovative use of social media, I am confident that our Government will address and strengthen the communication needs of an aspirational India and connect with our younger generations. 

The National Media Centre is just the latest step in addressing the diverse communication needs of our country in the future. I congratulate the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on this achievement and urge it to remain at the cutting edge of media innovation. (PIB)
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SC/NK/SH/SKS

Book Release by Nandita Das

Mon, Aug 19, 2013 at 8:43 PM
Terrorism Explained: A Graphic account by Ram Puniyani, Shard Sharma

Mumbai:19th August 2013:The book release was done by Nandita Das and Sharad Sharma outlined the content of the book. It is comic presentation of the theme of terrorism in current times. The Al Qaeda was formed by USA to control the oil wells in West Asia. They propped up Al Qaeda by using Salafi Version of Islam, in the specially set up Madrassa in Pakistan, with the help of US money funneled by CAI through ISI. The young Muslim boys were indoctrinated by distorting the meaning of words Jihad and Kafir. After the Al Qaeda helped defeat Russian army these elements of Al Qaeda become very destructive in Pakistan and India.  Similarly Hindutva groups, led by Swami Aseemanand organized many acts of terror, In Mecca Masjid, Hyderabad, Malegaon, Ajmer. Both the words Islamic terrorism and Hindu Terrorism are wrong. 

Irfan Engineer pointed out that The word Islamic terrorism has been misused to arrest innocent Muslim youth. We need to look at social phenomenon. social values to dispel the myths. Actor Nandita Das, appreciated the effort with hope that comics will act a good method of propagation of the truth, it will go a long way to help dispel the wrong notions about the social common sense.


Dr. Rama Shyam moderated the program and hoped that this effort will go a long way to bring in peace in the society. Mahesh Mishra of Arth Prakashan proposed the vote of thanks.  

PAKISTAN: A Press Release from NUJ forwarded by the AHRC

NUJ calls for support for BBC Pakistan journalists
The NUJ is seriously concerned about the job cuts at BBC Pakistan and offers support and assistance to colleagues.

The service in Pakistan is linked to the BBC World Service which is a UK public funded organisation. In May 2013 BBC Pakistan announced plans to cut 9 reporters out of 14. At the same time as announcing the job cuts the company were relying on producers to report the news.

In March 2007 some employees of BBC World Service registered 'BBC Pakistan' as a private company. The NUJ believes the purpose of establishing BBC Pakistan was to enable the organisation to cut costs and restructure. At the time some of UK based employees transferred to Islamabad.

The NUJ is calling for an immediate halt to the planned job cuts at BBC Pakistan and an open investigation into the current employment and recruitment practices in the BBC Urdu Islamabad Bureau.

Mr Pervaiz Shaukat, President of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), has condemned the termination of service of the BBC Urdu's 9 reporters. There are 3 reporters from Lahore, 2 each from Islamabad and Karachi and 1 from Quetta. They have all been served termination notices with effect from Wednesday 26 June.

"The termination notices are unlawful and in violation of BBC's own HR policies and set procedures," said Mr Shaukat in a statement.

"Most of the reporters who have been given notices of termination of their services are senior reporters and they have served BBC Urdu in very difficult times. They have reported for the BBC from war zones to natural disasters and in extremely bad conditions but they have earned credibility for the BBC" he said.

"The decision means depriving reporters of livelihood whose years of hard work has played a significant role in making the BBC one of the most credible news sources in Pakistan."

"We shall coordinate with the National Union of Journalist (NUJ, UK) and other international bodies against the arbitrary and unlawful decision of the BBC Urdu's management." he added.

Michelle Stanistreet, NUJ general secretary said: "We want to offer support and assistance to our BBC colleagues in Pakistan. BBC Pakistan should not close their doors tomorrow. We are calling for an urgent investigation and review.

The BBC reporters in Pakistan have been working under constant stress for several years due to an increase in their workloads and have at times risked their lives while performing their duties and received threats for the stories they were writing. Instead of recognizing their hard work, they are being fired from their jobs today.

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About AHRC: The Asian Human Rights Commission is a regional non-governmental organisation that monitors human rights in Asia, documents violations and advocates for justice and institutional reform to ensure the protection and promotion of these rights. The Hong Kong-based group was founded in 1984.

Future Journalists

06/21/2013 04:57 PM CDT                                                                                                 Sat, Jun 22, 2013 at 3:01 AM

Army Gen. Martin E. Dempsey poses for a photo with young "back pack" journalists who interviewed him at the volunteering and service conference sponsored by Points of Light in Washington, D.C., June 21, 2013.

Shyam Teri Bansi Pukare

Film Geet Gata Chal (1975)

Facebook Town Hall with President Obama

Media on board

Interacting with the accompanying media

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh interacting with the accompanying media on board, on his way back to Delhi from Bangkok, Thailand, on May 31, 2013. The Union Minister for External affairs, Shri Salman Khurshid is also seen.     (PIB)            31-May-2013

May Day Celebrations

            Karkhana Mazdoor Union, Punjab and Textile-Hosiery Kamgar Union, Punjab are organizing May Day Conference to commemorate the 128^th International May Day. Large no. workers are attending the conference to pay homage the martyrs of May Day and will pledge to continue the struggle against exploitation of working people in the whole world. Different speakers will discuss the history and relevance of May Day in present times. A cultural program comprising of revolutionary songs & plays will be presented.

            We appeal to you to cover the May Day Conference.

            The venue of the conference is PUDA (GLADA) grounds in front of Vardhman Spinning Mill on Chandigarh road and timing will be from 10am to 2pm.

“Issues relating to Media Ownership”

09-April-2013 16:13 IST
Extension of date for receipt of comments on TRAI’s consultation paper

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a consultation paper on “Issues relating to Media Ownership” on 15th February, 2013, inviting written comments from the stakeholders by 8th March, 2013 and counter-comments by 15th March 2013, which were later extended, on the request of the stakeholders, to 8th April 2013 and 15th April 2013 respectively. 

On request of the stakeholders, the last date for receipt of written comments has been further extended up to 22nd April, 2013 and counter-comments, if any, by 29th April 2013. The comments / counter comments may be sent, preferably in electronic form to Mr Wasi Ahmad, Advisor (B&CS), Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Mahanagar Doorsanchar Bhawan, Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg, New Delhi – 110 002, on the e-mail address advbcs@trai.gov.in / traicable@yahoo.co.in. 

The Authority has also decided that no request for any further extension of time for submission of comments /counter-comments will be entertained. 
*****MV/RK

Attacks on Newspaper offices in Baghdad

IFJ Demands Government Action

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today demanded that the Iraqi government takes urgent action following attacks by a suspected Shiite militia on the offices of newspapers in Baghdad on Monday morning, 1st April 2013. The previous day newspapers had published a story on a Shiite cleric.

"We condemn this use of violence against the offices of journalists in Baghdad which shows the risks our colleagues in Iraq continue to face in their daily work," said IFJ President Jim Boumelha. "We call on the government in Iraq to take swift action to bring those people who are behind the attacks to justice". 

According to some media reports, gunmen attacked the offices of four independent newspapers, smashing equipment and windows, attacking the staff and reportedly throwing one journalist off a roof.   

The Iraqi Journalists' Syndicate (IJS) has also condemned the attacks and urged the Iraqi authorities to find and punish those who ordered the violent attacks. 

The IFJ is marking the 10th anniversary of the war in Iraq next week with a series of events across the globe. "The latest incidents in Baghdad show that the violence against media shows no signs of abating," added Beth Costa, IFJ General Secretary.   

"Iraq continues to be ranked among the most dangerous countries in the world to be a journalist. Further action is required to protect the safety of journalists there."  

IFJ Demands Government Action Following Attacks on Newspaper offices in Baghdad

For more information, please contact IFJ on + 32 2 235 22 07
The IFJ represents more than 600.000 journalists in 134 countries

A female radio journalist gunned down

IFJ Condemns Killing of Female Journalist in Somalia

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today condemned the killing of Rahmo Abdulkadir, a female radio journalist who was gunned down in the Somali capital, Mogadishu on Sunday 24 March 2013.

According to the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ), an IFJ affiliate, Rahmo Abdulkadir who worked for Radio Abudwaq was shot dead near her house by three young men armed with pistols. The shooting took place in the district of Towfiq in north Mogadishu.

"We urge the authorities to thoroughly investigate this murder and bring the killers to justice," said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa director. «We are seriously concerned by the escalation of deadly violence targeting journalists killed in Somalia." 

NUSOJ said that the motive behind the killing is unknown, adding that Rahmo Abdulkadir, who had recently arrived in Mogadishu for private reasons was working as journalist, producer and technician. 

"We need the law enforcement agencies and the government at all levels to put a stop to the incessant and senseless killing of media practitioners," said Omar Faruk Osman, NUSOJ Secretary General.

Rahmo Abdulkadir is the second Somali journalist murdered in as many weeks, following the killing of Abdihared Osman Adan on 18 January, also in Mogadishu. She is also the third journalist killed in Somalia since the start of the year and the second female journalist murdered in the country in a decade.IFJ Condemns Killing of Female Journalist in Somalia

For more information please contact: +221 33 867 95 86/87

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 Journalists in 134 countries in the World

IFJ Condemns Kidnapping of TV Journalist in Nigeria

Her baby and maid were released later

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has today condemned the kidnapping of OLubunmi Oke, a television journalist in Nigeria. According to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), an IFJ affiliate, the reporter and presenter with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), her baby and maid were taken Thursday March 21 by four men who blocked her car as she was leaving her office in Akure, the capital of Ondo state (South West). Her baby and maid were released later while the car was found in another town. The reason of the kidnapping is unknown.

“We are deeply concerned by the kidnapping of our colleague. We call on security forces to do their best to ensure her safe return. We stand in solidarity with her family and colleagues,” said Gabriel Baglo, IFJ Africa director.

The IFJ raises concern about the personal security of journalists in this context of violence in some parts of the country.  On 26 April 2012, two suicide car bombs targeted offices of Nigerian newspaper This Day in Abuja and a Media house in Kaduna.  Arrests of journalists are also frequent. On 24 December 2012, journalists Musa Muhammad Awwal and Aliyu Saleh from weekly Al-Mizan, a Hausa-language newspaper, were arrested and detained by the security forces without clear charges. They have since been released. The journalist Ikechukwu Udendu, editor of Anambra News , a monthly newspaper, was shot dead on Saturday 12 January 2013 by unknown persons.

“We call on journalists to have personal safety protocol and ask authorities to bring to court all perpetrators of attacks against journalists,” Baglo added.

For more information please contact: +221 33 867 95 86/87

The IFJ represents more than 600.000 Journalists in 134 countries in the World

IFJ Condemns Kidnapping of TV Journalist in Nigeria

52nd Anniversary Celebrations of UNI

21-March-2013 18:05 IST
Need for more wire News Agencies in the Media Sector 
-I&B Minister Tewari Participates in the celebrations

Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Shri Manish Tewari has said that taking into account the potential of the growing media sector and the flow of information in the news segment, there existed a case for more wire news agencies being established across the media landscape in the country. The potential was tremendous as these agencies facilitated information flow at the sub regional, regional and national level. The increase in number of news agencies would not only enable local based news being highlighted at the national level, it would also enable such agencies to balance news dissemination at the national and local level. Taking into account the diversity of information dissemination, such mechanisms would enable local issues being highlighted as prominently as those at the national level. The Minister stated this while speaking at the 52nd Anniversary Celebrations of United News of India, here today. 

Elaborating further, Shri Tewari said that there was an urgent need to outline sustainable revenue models. Quoting the instance of the digitization process the Minister said it was an attempt to bring about transparency and a long term sustainable process in the broadcasting sector which would help all stakeholders. The revenue models would also have to take into account the parameters that were addressing different audiences with the emergence of new media platforms and instant communication mechanisms.   52nd Anniversary Celebrations of UNI
CP/ST

Copyright Rules 2013

18-March-2013 18:44 IST

Provide new rules for statutory licence
The Copyright Rules, 2013 has been notified by the Copyright Division, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resource Development on 14th March, 2013. The amendments to the existing provisions of the Copyright Act, 1957 and introduction of new provisions under the Copyright(Amendment) Act, 2012, which came into the force on 21st June, 2012, necessitated amendments to the Copyright Rules, 1958. The draft Rules were posted on the website of the Copyright Office on 28th August, 2012 seeking comments of all stakeholders and experts giving a deadline of 20th September, 2012. The Ministry also held a meeting with various stakeholders and copyright experts on 8th October, 2012 to seek their suggestions on the draft rules. 

The Copyright Rules, 2013 provide new rules for statutory licence for cover versions and broadcasting of literary and musical works and sound recording; compulsory licences for works withheld from public, unpublished and published works, for benefit of disabled; registration of Copyright Societies and Performer’s Right Societies; storage of transient or incidental copies of woks; making or adapting the work by organisations working for the benefit of persons with disabilities; importation of infringing copies and technological protection measures. 

The fee for registration of copyright for various works and fee for licences to be issued by register of Copyrights under the directions/orders of the Copyright Board have been increased under the Copyright Rules, 2013. The minimum fee has been increased for registration from Rs. 50/- per work to Rs. 500/- per work and the maximum fee has been increased from Rs. 600/- per work to Rs. 5,000/-. The fee for licences has been increased from Rs. 200/- to Rs. 2000/- per work and the maximum fee has been increased from Rs. 400/- to Rs. 40,000/-. The new fee structure provided under Second Schedule of the Rules is applicable from the date of coming into force of the Copyright Rules, 2013 that is 14th March, 2013. A copy of the same has been made available on the website of the Copyright Office (copyright.gov.in). 
R N M

Who will protect the people from the press

FREEDOM OF PRESS

It is a free press……there are laws to protect the freedom of the press’s speech, but none that are worth anything to protect the people from the press.” -------------Mark Twain

MEDIA IN WEST BENGAL

“Politics, Journalism, and Big Business work hand in hand for the hoodwinking of the public and the plundering of labour.” (Upton Sinclair/The Brass Check (1919)                                      From: Gouranga Chatterjee

Sri Lanka seeks to ID sources for Channel 4 film

March 6th, 2013 | Add a Comment

The Sri Lankan Defense Ministry says it wants to identify sources who provided information to the UK-based broadcaster Channel 4 for a new documentary alleging that government forces committed war crimes during the country’s long civil conflict,The Divaina, a Sinhala-language daily, reported today. In response, the producer issued a statement saying that no “resident anywhere in Sri Lanka helped us with this film.”

The Channel 4 documentary, “No War Zone: The Killing Fields of Sri Lanka,” was released last week in Geneva to coincide with a U.N. Human Rights Council discussion on Sri Lanka. The film depicts the Sri Lankan army’s involvement in a summary execution and torture. Callum Macrae, producer of the new documentary, also said in the statement that “no one was paid for any evidence or interviews.”

The Defense Ministry has a long history of threatening, intimidating, and harassing those who challenge government actions, CPJ research shows. An English translation of The Divaina piece referred to anyone assisting Channel 4 as having “turned their back to the motherland.”

“We deplore the Defense Ministry’s attempt to stifle free speech,” said CPJ Deputy Director Robert Mahoney. “Sri Lankans have a right to examine the country’s human rights record without fear of being denounced as unpatriotic.”

Channel 4 also exposed evidence of Sri Lankan war-time atrocities in a 2011 report. The government has denied any allegations of war crimes and has claimed that material used by Channel 4 was not authentic, local reports said.

Sri Lanka remains a highly restrictive and dangerous nation for the press. In July 2012, the Ministry of Media and Information blocked efforts to introduce freedom of information legislation before parliament, saying national security would be threatened if citizens were given access to public documents.

Written by cpj                                                                                             Courtesy: Network for Rights

Sri Lanka seeks to ID sources for Channel 4 film

Website on Heritage Initiatives

05-March-2013 14:27 IST
NCF and HUDCO agreed 
The Minister of Culture Smt. Chandresh Kumari Katoch has said that National Culture Fund (NCF) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 18th October, 2012. With the signing of the MoU, NCF and HUDCO agreed to utilize their respective strengths for the following:

1.     Training and Capacity Building
2.     Disaster management
3.     Museum upgradation
4.      Environmental improvement and provision of amenities
5.      Conservation and restoration of monuments
6.     Any other activity representing the cultural heritage of the country. The details of the salient features of the MoU are at Annexure.

In a written reply in the Lok Sabha today Smt. Katoch said, on the implementation of the said MoU, the Corporate Social Responsibility activities of HUDCO shall benefit the preservation and restoration of heritage buildings, with the provision of basic amenities/facilities at heritage sites and promotion, training/capacity building, awareness generation for the enhancement of culture and the improvement of the quality of life of citizens and development of the habitat sector.

This is an Umbrella MoU, which does not mention any fund allocation. Fund allocation is to be made upon the signing of individual project specific MoU’s between NCF & HUDCO subsequently, the Minister added.
Annexure
The salient features of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)The executed MoU identified the following areas of mutual cooperation:-1.     Training and Capacity Building- to actively work for sensitization of the local functionaries/implementing agencies for orientation towards cultural and heritage preservation. The local authorities as well as other role players shall be the focus of the training. International institutions working in the field shall also be involved in the training and capacity building programme.

2.     Disaster Management – to initiate joint research in the areas of traditional materials and technologies, damage assessment and retrofitting. Including strengthening measures and prevention of damages by taking up pilot projects.

3.     Museums- to ensure the improvement, value enhancement and revitalization of existing museums. Including state of art technology display, interpretations and presentation.

4.     Environmental improvement and provision of amenities- to work for improving the environmental conditions in and around world/other heritage sites including provision of basic facilities/amenities.

5.     Conservation and Restoration – to work for conservation and restoration of monuments/sites (protected/heritage building) which are State owned/Govt. of India owned.

6.   Any other activity which is mutually considered important/relevant to hereinabove referred areas of co-operation.(PIB)

***AD/DB