Won't let status of anybody hinder justice for journos: PCI

Status or wealth of any person won't come in the way of providing justice to photojournalists who were attacked here recently, the Press Council chairman Justice C K Prasad said today in an obvious reference to the Bombay House incident.
"There was attack in Mumbai...Where few photojournalists were assaulted (in front of Bombay House). It came to my notice and we have taken a suo motu cognisance of the matter," he said.
The incident had taken place earlier this month when three shutterbugs were allegedly beaten up by the security guards following a scuffle outside Bombay House, which serves as the head office of Tata Group, in South Mumbai, when ousted Tata Sons Chairman Cyrus Mistry had arrived to chair a meeting.

Police had made five arrests, including the security guards, in connection with the assault.
Justice Prasad said, "As the matter is sub-judice, I won't be talking in details about it, but one thing I can assure on the behalf of Press Council is that any person found guilty, however mighty he may be, will be brought to justice. Status or wealth of any person will not come in our way."
The PCI chairman was in the city to attend a conclave on 'Defending Freedom of Journalists in Digital Age' at Press Club in South Mumbai here.

On a spate of attacks on journalists across the country, he said the Press Council takes cognisance of the incidents once they are brought to its notice.

"As far as safety of journalists is concerned, whenever it comes to our notice from any source we take cognisance of that. In many cases, we form a fact-finding committee. As in the case of journalist (Rajdev Ranjan) killed in Siwam (Bihar) we had constituted a committee which has submitted its report. We asked the matter to be investigated by CBI," he said.
Pitching for financial security of scribes, Justice Prasad has proposed setting up of a welfare fund for them.
"My idea is to have a fund (for journalists) run by their peers, and Press Council of India will also contribute to that. Every working journalists shall be entitled for becoming member of that fund.

"I have written to Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) about setting up of the welfare fund (for journalists). There is advocates' welfare fund, run very nicely for last 30 years by the Bar Council of India. Similarly, the Press council of India is talking about that (journalists' welfare fund) and can help you (government) in constituting it," he added.