Upset with the Press Council of India’s attitude towards the Kashmir issue, renowned journalist and writer Mrinal Pande lamented that the PCI chairman put forward his opinion that he welcomed the government’s decision, without having discussed it with the Council. She says their stance staggered several seniors because Press Council had not only protested against terrorism in Punjab, but had also slammed newspapers which supported terrorism.
The journalist stressed the need for media unity against the muzzling of press and said media-related organisations should give media the umbrella that they need but aren’t getting.
Claiming that Hindi media received a huge boost under the BJP government at the price of reportage being one-sided, Pande said one-sided reporting dips media organisation’s power and credibility in the market.
Pande observed that Hindi news media made several agreements with those in power so as to not put their current position in jeopardy. She asserted that ministers and political leaders have been attacking the media since 2014, calling them ‘prestitute’ or ‘sickular’ media whenever there were reports against them.