PCI/45/PR/2002-03                                                                          Dated  30.1.2003

  Press Release 

“Vijetha” and “Meghalaya Guardian” warned “Telegraph admonished

The Press Council of India which met here last week under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice K. Jayachandra Reddy, warned  “Vijetha”, a Telegu newspaper of Hyderabad for misusing its  columns in clear violation of all tenets  of journalism/ethical conduct for publishing false, fabricated, motivated and defamatory news-items against M/s Agri  Gold Farms Ltd., Hyderabad.  It was reported  therein that the management of the said Company had swallowed funds  worth Rs. 80 crores by showing  false accounts and  published deliberately to create panic amongst the investing public resulting  in the  enormous loss and damage  both in terms of finances as well as good-will  since the business activities are being carried out on a high degree of good-will  and confidence  reposed by the public.  As the respondent failed to present any defence to offer despite enormous opportunities, the Council,  inferred that the respondent did not attempt to obtain the version of the complainant. From the facts brought  before it by the complainant, the Council felt that the respondent paper’s sister  concern was running a business similar  to and in competition   with the complainants firm and therefore, the impugned publications were prompted by business rivalry and professional spite and bereft of   any public interest..

           On coming across a photograph published in The Telegraph issue dated May 28, 2001, showing the bareback of a woman  alongwith an article captioned “Desperately seeking “SUSY”, the Council had  initiated suo-motu   inquiry. Notwithstanding the written argument of the Telegraph that the article and its photograph in question were published on the basis of the recent discovery  of “Super symmetry’” … most beautiful theory of particle physics  to substantiate the caption of the article “Physicists have laid beauty bare” and if read  together, the article would not be construed to be obscene, the Council  noted that the impugned photograph  had no relevance whatsoever to the write-up and its primary aim appeared to be  attracting  the attention of the readers. It felt that the media has to realise its responsibilities  in curbing the commercial exploitation  of women which is most evident in the advertisement sector. Further, the concerned editorial staff did not pay adequate  attention to the responsibility  of the press to the society at large.  While admonishing  the Telegraph for the lapse, the Council expressed confidence  that the paper would exhibit more caution in future. 

In another complaint of Mrs. Dolly  Khonglah, Shillong against “Meghalaya  Guardian” alleging publication of a false, baseless and fictitious news items, the Council felt that in issues and incidents which carry social stigma, the media ought to be most circumspect as no corrections/rejoinders at a later stage  could undo the harm, which had been caused to the reputation of an individual. The allegation in the news against the complainant contained covering up a gang rape incident  and subsequent  attempt to keep the victim  quite, by luring her. The Council held that the respondent newspaper “Meghalaya Guardian” should  have obtained the version of the complainant. Since the newspaper paper had failed to afford right  of reply  to the complainant,  there was no reason for the Council to disbelieve  the statement  of the complainant that she had personally handed it over to the concerned respondent. For the  flagrant violation of journalistic ethics, the Council warned the respondent-Meghalaya Guardian for offending against the norms of journalistic conduct  with regard to defamatory writing, pre-publication verification and right to reply.

                                                              ***********