New Delhi: In what could be a good news for Media organisations across the country, the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), the SAARC-recognised body of journalists, on Thursday announced the formation of a Press Commission for India.
The Commission will be charged with the task of protecting free flow of information and promoting cooperation in the region in an atmosphere of tolerance and trust.
The Commission, headed by Editor-in-Chief of The Hindu, N Ram and 25 other distinguished media personalities, will be part of the apex organisation comprising media representatives in South Asia.
SAFMA, in a release in Delhi said, the Commission will identify laws and regulations in different countries that evade the right to freedom of opinion.
It will also look into the performance and role of both state and private media on matters like promotion of mutual trust and understanding.
The Commission will identify violations of professional code of ethics about honest, objective and unbiased reporting and comment, and also keep a watch on measures by the state and other players to punish media economically or through other means.
It will also scrutinise cases of atrocities on journalist in discharging their duties.
N Ram welcomed the decision of SAFMA to set up national and regional press Commissions with a wide mandate and clear terms of reference.
“They will take comprehensive and objective look at the situation in our countries of freedom of press and the restrictions, both reasonable and unreasonable on this freedom,” news agency PTI quoted Ram as saying.
He added that the Commission would also objectively look at performance of the press, its editors, working journalists, proprietors, business managers and other players.
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