How do we identify fake journalists who blackmail, bring down image of press? Madras High Court seeks response of Audit Bureau of Circulations

The Madras High Court on Wednesday requested the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) to get instructions on measures to weed out "fake journalists" who resort to blackmailing, thereby damaging the image of the fourth pillar of democracy.

. Justice N Kirubakaran reiterated concerns that there were many such fake journalists who damage the image of the press.

" There are so many fake journalists who are there in society, who are blackmailing, doing wrong things, bringing down image of press which is the fourth pillar... How to weed out? Can you get instructions? ", he asked advocate SS Rajesh, who appeared for ABC.

. Apart from undertaking to give suggestions as requested by the Court, Advocate Rajesh also said ABC has filed certain guidelines on the issue. In the course of arguments, it was also submitted that there are many newspapers in circulation that have not registered with the Bureau, although they ought to have.

.Special Committee may be constituted to look into news circulation, income tax returns by press if convinced of apprehensions regarding fake press: Madras HC. In response to certain submissions made by Advocate AP Suryaprakasam with respect to press unions, Justice Kirubakaran went on to comment,

" See, the press has got such an image in the society. Anything that comes in the press reaches throughout the world, even if it is wrong information, it is passed on. Subsequently, the image cannot be restored."

. " In present circumstances, the press is playing most important role in democracy, " Suryaprakasam weighed in.

. The ensuing discussion saw concerns being raised about the misuse of journalist and advocate stickers. Justice Kirubakaran remarked that these stickers are used like they are "shields" for the person to get away with anything.

" Advocate stickers are put on the rear mirror, front and number plate. In no circumstances can we stop them...Genuine advocates are not using sticker, they feel their image will go down if they use. Such a noble profession has gone down. Anything appears in the press, people believe it is true. But things are going down, " Justice Kirubakaran added.

. The Court further noted that genuine reporters are sometimes sidelined as officials may favour reporters who are close to them. Justice Kirubakaran went on to emphasise, however, that it would be in the interest of the government as well to weed out fake journalists. In this regard, he remarked that officials are often vulnerable to getting blackmailed by ill-intentioned journalists.

" If anyone wants to blackmail, they will print hundred copies and put it in the veranda... It happens to judges also. We don’t mind it because once you become a judge we have to become thick-skinned, " he observed.

. The Court has also sought information on the benefits and government welfare schemes available for genuine press reporters. The State today apprised the Court about a compensation scheme already in place that can be availed in the event of a journalist's untimely demise.

. The Court today emphasised that such government schemes should reach genuine journalists. In this backdrop, the Court said that the issue is how fake press reporters can be identified.

" There are two things. One is to protect the interests of genuine journalists, of paramount importance. Weeding out fake journalists is the second thing, or it should be simultaneously done, " Justice Kirubakaran observed.

. Appearing for a litigant who has sought impleadment in the case, Advocate Gautam S Raman pointed out that one issue concerned the wide definition of a "working journalist", which makes it difficult to identify actual journalists.

. Acknowledging the concern, Justice Kirubakaran remarked:

" As rightly pointed out, definition of working journalist is very wide, it should be construed very strictly and some parameters should be there. Or after my retirement, even I'll (I can) claim to be journalist. "

. Case background . The discussion took place during the hearing of a petition urging the High Court to direct the police to consider a representation to inquire into a report that allegedly conveyed false information on a long-pending temple idol theft case.

. The petitioner’s credentials itself came into question when the matter came up before the High Court. In response to the Court’s direction, the petitioner produced six identity cards to prove that he was a journalist.

. However, the Bench took serious note that one of the IDs so produced belonged to a police officer who had been suspended from service owing to his alleged involvement in the idol theft case. The odd turn of events prompted the Court to direct the petitioner to explain how he came to possess the former policeman’s ID. Going a step further, the Bench decided to look into the larger issue of fake journalists in the State as well .

.Image of press damaged of late owing to fake journalists, Madras High Court observes. On Wednesday, the Court was informed by the petitioner's counsel that a change of vakalatnama has been filed (meaning that the counsel would not be representing the petitioner hereafter). The Court took the same on record.

. The petitioner himself was also not present. The Court recorded this as well in its interim order before adjourning the matter to Tuesday.

. We should protect God whether gods protect us or not: Court on protecting temple idols . In the course of the hearing, the Bench also emphasised that all efforts should be made to preserve temple idols.

" We should protect God whether gods protect us or not, " Justice Kirubakaran remarked.

. He went on to observe,

" In many temples, in remote villages, we have old temple idols, the antiquity we cannot even asses. How to protect them? There has to be some mechanism. Justices R Mahadevan and PD Audikesavalu (the Special Bench constituted earlier to hear temple idol theft cases) have given directions, we don't want to overlap, we want to support. At least the next generation should know. We should leave it to the next generation. "

. The matter will be taken up next on Tuesday at 2:15 pm, when the petitioner is expected to be present before the Court.

How do we identify fake journalists who blackmail, bring down image of press? Madras High Court seeks response of Audit Bureau of Circulations

Meera Emmanuel

Related Stories