Rajya Sabha criticises media for 'selective reporting'

Role of the media once again came under scrutiny in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday with members from across parties criticising it for not reporting positive aspect of parliamentary proceedings.

The issue was raised by Naresh Agrawal of the Samajwadi Party (SP) soon after the house met for the day's business.

"Yesterday (Wednesday) Sharad Yadavji had talked about media being Fourth Pillar of democracy and its role but nothing was reported about it," he said.

Agrawal was then supported by Sharad Yadav of the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), who said that "whatever I had said was buried in the four walls of the house".

Anand Sharma of the Congress also expressed concern over the issue and said that the media must play a role in sensitising public on issues of national importance.

"No constructive work of the house finds a place in the media," he alleged.

To pacify the members, Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said that the issue could only be discussed in the house under proper motion.

He also gave examples how unusual stuff finds place in newspapers, saying "if a dog bites a man it's no news, but if a man bites the dog it's a news".

"Media is the Fourth Pillar of Indian Democracy and honest reporting is required for the sake of it," Kurien said.

On Wednesday, Sharad Yadav said media organisations in the country were in the clutches of businessmen and "journalists are not free to report the truth".

"The journalists cannot write the way they want to, and are being directed by their financiers," he said, adding that this trend is badly affecting democracy in India.

The JD(U) leader said businessmen have got hold of the Indian media to further their agenda and interests. "It should be checked and stopped."

--IANS

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