Urge all stakeholders to stand against threats to press freedom: Subhash Chandra
Media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, but faces increasing pressure from the governing class- whether it’s legislature, executive, and even the corporates, said Subhash Chandra, chairman emeritus of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited in a press briefing Monday.
Highlighting a recent incident which led to a legal tussle between the AAP government in Punjab and Zee, Chandra said he would urge all stakeholders, including Zee's viewers and regulatory bodies, to recognize and stand against the 'threats' to press freedom.
«I and my team are ready to pay a price or face any consequences, to keep fulfilling our Dharma towards our readers and viewers,» Chandra said.
He said governments exert pressure on media through advertising influence or use of state machinery to threaten so that the press can be prevented from publishing factual information.
“There are structured attempts by them to align the media in order to achieve their agenda. Unfortunately, many of the news channels, newspapers, social media and digital platforms have started accepting the pressure as part of life, instead of resisting or voicing out their disagreement,” said Chandra. “This is one reason why India ranks 159th out of 180 in terms of press freedom. The natural blame gets inclined towards the Government, but the media itself is equally responsible,” he added.
He said Zee Media’s flagship channel Zee News, recently faced an ‘alarming incident of Governmental suppression of media’s independence.’
As per Zee, on May 23, an
