Suggesting that absence of a proper eligibility criterion was affecting the quality of reportage in the country, Press Council of India
(PCI) chairperson Justice(retd) Markandey Katju has set up committee to recommend minimum qualification required to become a journalist.
The committee comprises PCI members Shravan Garg, Rajeev Sabade and Dr Ujjwala
Barve, Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, University of
Pune.
In a statement issued here, the PCI chairperson said that for some time the need for a qualification for entry into the profession of journalism had been felt.
"In the lawyers profession an LLB Degree as well as registration in a Bar Council is required. Similarly, for entry into the medical profession the necessary qualification is an MBBS Degree and also registration with the Medical Council," Katju said.
He added that for becoming a teacher, a teacher’s training certificate or degree is required so was the case with other professions. Katju said that however at present there is no qualification for entry into the profession of journalism.
"Hence very often persons with little or inadequate training in journalism enter the profession, and this often leads to negative effects, because such untrained persons often do not maintain high standards of journalism," he said.
For quite some time, therefore, it has been felt that there must be some legal qualification before one can enter the profession of journalism, Katju said.
He said the media has an important influence on the lives of the people and the time has now come when some qualification should be prescribed by law.
Katju said that the team appointed by him will consider all aspects and submit a report at an early date suggesting the qualifications a person should have before he can be allowed to enter the profession of journalism.
"On receipt of the report I intend to place it before the Full Press council, and after getting its approval shall forward it to the Government for initiating suitable legislation for this purpose," Katju said.
The Central and all State Governments and journalism departments and institutes in the country have been requested to extend cooperation to the team, Katju said.
"There are no doubt many institutions which impart teaching in journalism (some of which is very unsatisfactory) but there is as yet no legal requirement for having any qualification before entering the profession", he added.
Full text of his press note:
Press Note
by Justice Markandey Katju, Chairman,
Press Council of India
For quite some time an issue has arisen about the need for a qualification for
entry into the profession of journalism. In the lawyers profession an LLB Degree
as well as registration in a Bar Council is required. Similarly, for entry into
the medical profession the necessary qualification is an MBBS Degree and also
registration with the Medical Council. For becoming a teacher a teacher’s
training certificate/degree is required. Many other professions have the
requirement of some qualification before one can enter that profession.
However, at present there is no qualification for entry into the profession of
journalism. Hence very often persons with little or inadequate training in
journalism enter the profession, and this often leads to negative effects,
because such untrained persons often do not maintain high standards of
journalism.
For quite some time, therefore, it has been felt that there must be some legal
qualification before one can enter the profession of journalism. There are no
doubt many institutions which impart teaching in journalism (some of which is
very unsatisfactory) but there is as yet no legal requirement for having any
qualification before entering the profession.
Since the media has an important influence on the lives of the people, the time
has now come when some qualification should be prescribed by law. Accordingly I
constitute the following team which is requested to consider all aspects of the
matter and submit a report to me at an early date suggesting the qualifications
a person should have before he can be allowed to enter the profession of
journalism.
On receipt of the report I intend to place it before the Full Press council, and
after getting its approval shall forward it to the Government for initiating
suitable legislation for this purpose.
The members of the team as follows:
1) Shri Shravan Garg, Member, Press Council of India - Convenor
2) Shri Rajeev Sabade, Member, Press Council of India - Member
3) Dr. Ujjwala Barve, Associate Professor, Department of Communication &
Journalism, University of Pune - Member
The team is requested to submit its report at an early date. The Central and all
State Governments and Journalism Departments and institutes in India are
requested to extend all co-operations to the team. Smt. Vibha Bhargava,
Secretary, Press Council of India is directed to provide all logistics and other
support to the team.
(Justice Markandey Katju)
Chairman,
Press council of India
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