Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Feb 10: Negating home minister Dr V S Acharya's statement in Mangalore during a peace committee meeting that the government is considering appointment of a media ombudsman to regulate exaggerated news coverage, state chief minister (CM) B S Yeddyurappa said that the government does not propose to do so.
Speaking to reporters in Davangere on Monday February 9, the CM said that the state government does not propose to rein in the media. Hence, the proposal for the appointment of the ombudsman will be put on hold for the present. "I am not aware under what context the home minister made this statement. I will discuss the issue with him," he clarified.
Dr V S Acharya, who had in Udupi said that there is public demand for the appointment of a media ombudsman, told the reporters on Monday that the Press Council of India is expected to take action whenever the media exaggerates and twists the news to mislead the masses. However, the Council’s presence has not been apparent in several cases of irresponsible coverage of news. Hence, the government is thinking of creating the post of the media ombudsman, he added.
"Lot of problems were created after the media behaved irresponsibly while covering the incidents of Udupi MLA Raghupati Bhat's wife Padmapriya’s disappearance, Mangalore pub attack, abduction of Kerala MLA’s daughter, Pulse Polio programme etc. When I participated in the peace committee meeting in Mangalore, many people persuaded me to ban irresponsible media. Hence, a decision about the appointment of media ombudsman will be taken after discussing with the CM. A judge will take over as the ombudsman, if the government decides in favour of creating the post. Those distressed by exaggerated or irresponsible news will then be able to get their grievances redressed by approaching the ombudsman," he explained.
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