http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Move_to_allow_foreign_mags_draws_criticism/articleshow/3170131.cms
Move to allow foreign mags draws criticism 27 Jun 2008, 0405 hrs IST,TNN NEW DELHI: The government's move to allow Indian editions of foreign news and current affairs magazines has drawn flak from political parties, leading editors and opinion-makers who feel that this would undermine the media's right to freedom of expression, as enshrined in the Constitution, and will be detrimental for the Indian media. The strong reservations over the move cut across poltiical affiliations with leaders strongly objecting to the manner in which it is being rushed. Congress general secretary, V Kishorechand Deo, who is also the Lok Sabha's privileges committee chairman, said, "The government should discuss the matter threadbare. This is something which should be considered from all possible angles." Congress spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed also advised caution to his government saying, "Congress has always depended on national media rather than international publications. The Indian press has a national concern. It is an extremely sensitive matter and therefore it should be decided after careful scrutiny." For once, even the opposition is agreeing with the ruling party. BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu echoed the view that the issue should be discussed thoroughly. "What is the great urgency to bring this (proposal)? It should be brought to Parliament. Let Parliament decide since there are such divergent views on the issue," he said. The Left parties have also strongly opposed the government's move. CPI leader D Raja said the Left has never favoured foreign entry into the media industry. "We opposed such a move during the NDA government also. It is surprising Parliament is not taken into confidence on such a sensitive issue of national concern. It needs to be discussed at all possible public forums. We are definitely not in its favour," Raja said. Forward Bloc leader Debabrata Biswas said allowing foreign magazines to publish in India would adversely impact on the country's culture and traditions. "Any such move would push the Indian media into an unwanted trouble zone. We are fully against it," he added. Revolutionary Socialist Party leader Abani Roy described the proposal as "dangerous". "Our media industry, especially the smaller publications, will suffer the most. The government must keep this in mind even before thinking about granting such permissions. We are strongly opposed to it," Roy said. Media leaders and bodies were scathing in their criticism. Strongly reacting to the attempt to undermine the national consenus on the issue, K S Sachidananda Murthy, secretary-general of Editors Guild, said the Indian media was protected by the right to freedom of expression and the Union cabinet's resolution of 1955 stipulating editorial control in news magazines should vest with Indian citizens. "This resolution shouldn't be diluted. If investment is in foreign hands, editorial control will also go to them. It should remain in Indian hands," he said. Malayalam Manorama editor and managing director Mammen Mathew also faulted the move saying that it would have a negative impact on the local and regional media. "With the advent of foreign media, the autonomy of the local and regional media will suffer. There will be a dwarfing of the regional and local media," he said. He also stressed that move is being pushed without having any discussion whatsoever with the national press. "A national consensus must be taken in which all stakeholders should express their views freely before restrictions are lifted," he said. Manorama's executive editor Jacob Mathew pointed out that in various countries including US, South America and in some European countries, foreign control on press was not allowed. "In several countries, only citizens of that particular country can control the media. Once we dilute this beyond the present level, foreigners can easily control the content and the impact would not be in line with our democratic set-up." Bharatkumar Raut, Rajya Sabha MP, who is also a member of the I&B consultative committee, has written to union minister Priya Ranjan Dasmunsi opposing the proposal. Calling the move an attack on India's sovereignty, Raut said, "Allowing foreign media titles under the camouflage of Indian control would mean entry of powerful media conglomerates and their taking control." The MP also warned against the global trend of tightening of media regulations. "Rather than encouraging the Indian media companies to progress, they created is finally doing well, your proposal will handicap and stifle their much-needed growth. This is no level playing field," he said in his letter to the ministry. Nai Dunia chief editor Abhay Chhajlani agreed with Raut on the issue of the decisive role played by the media. Chhajlani said that foreign investors would focus on profitable returns and not on the providing people with a product that was suited to their ethos. "As an opinion-maker, the press has a unique role to play. A foreign investor will try to pressurise policy-makers and there is no law that can control that," he said. Delhi Press editor Paresh Nath argued that the media should not be treated as a business. "It is a social service and not just a business. Historically, Indian media has been protected by the Constitution and introducing foreign investment will negate that," he said. Criticising the government for its surreptitious move, Hindu editor-in chief N Ram said, "The proposal is totally unwarranted. Many countries regulate the entry of their media. Why does the government want to introduce this sneakily at the tail-end of its term?" Statesman editor Ravindra Kumar said that the Indian media was being targeted by the UPA through a series of policy decisions. A recent move was the regulation by which profit making public sector corporations were forced to advertise at DAVP rates which are a fraction of commercial rates.
