Venkaiah seeks to justify action against NDTV

Hyderabad: Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday sought to justify the action against NDTV. He harangued that the media should use the freedom of Press keeping in mind the interests of the nation and the people.

He kept on giving sermons to the media by saying that “the well-being of the country and society should be kept in mind before broadcasting or publishing any news.” He felt that news and views should not be mixed.

"A big discussion is going on in the country that there should be freedom of press. It should compulsorily be there and the government is committed to this. But, there is a need to think. We are citizens first and then the journalists. That's my view," he said. "Our government believes in freedom of press and wants the media to truly appreciate the value of such freedom, so that it is best used in the interest of the country and the people," Venkaiah Naidu said addressing a orientation programme for Urdu journalists organised by Telangana State Union of Working Journalists here.

He said while giving/broadcasting news, one should keep in mind the interests of society and nation first. "The news you are giving should not promote clashes between groups, religions or create unrest in society. The news should not cause harm to the nation's interests. There should be self-restraint (in following rules)," he said.

Journalists should remember that freedom of expression is best utilised only when the value of such freedom was fully appreciated, he said, adding that when this freedom is not exercised judiciously, our existing laws would allow necessary interventions.