FINDINGS

Such an indirect control over the media has direct perceivable impact on the people’s right to know, the guarantee given to the civil society under the Constitution of India. It has in a way threatens the very democracy in violation of the article 19(1) A of the Constitution. Such an indirect act of the government poses the danger of triggering a constitutional crisis in the state. It needs a serious look into the matter. Free and fare journalism in Bihar is facing a situation of censorship the likes of which was seen during the emergency in our country. The journalism of Bihar that has long been known in the country for its courageous writings and of journalists putting even their lives at stake, are now gagged, muted and handicapped.

Journalists, by and large are feeling suffocated with many of them pleading their helplessness. A large number of the journalists who appeared before the fact finding team complained of prevalence of the practice of scores of news-items being sent to the editorial sections of respective newspapers by their management bearing the signatures of branch head, general manager, chief manager, circulation manager as well as advertisement manager s every day for its publication. Such news items are considered to be a “must” for its publication irrespective of the fact that whether such news-items are really newsworthy or not, from the editorial point of view. Surprisingly the list also included newspapers which are published from outside the state, where the desks have a constant demand from its Bihar based reporters to file state government friendly reports. Ostensibly with an eye to curry state government favour in form of state government ads.

While talking to the members of the team during their informal “off the record” talks, some journalists complained of managerial prevalence in day to day editorial matters. But they all pleaded that they have no option, but to abide by such an unethical managerial practice. Incidentally prior to the visit of FFT, Bihar team to Bihar districts and after announcement of constitution of the three member Press Council Of India Fact Finding Team to study Pressure on Media in Bihar by Hon’ble PCI Chairman, Justice Markandey Katju a few meetings were held in the name of “defence of freedom of press and media” in which few senior media men too had also joined. Members of the FFT, Bihar team also started receiving lots of phones from several journalists showing their keen interest in this regard, but pleaded anonymity. The committee also noted this as a symptom of prevailing unannounced pressure on media.

The reporters and outstation correspondents too are required to arrange/manage advertisements from the IPRD as well as the private parties. The supposedly senior journalists are assigned these jobs more.

In this regard many a journalists referred to the transfer of a senior ranking journalist of an esteemed National Hindi daily published from Bihar for his falling out of the grace of powers that be for publishing a news-item related to some alleged scam in a state government department quoting the then departmental minister.