Speaking on the occasion of the National Press Day organised by the Press Council of India (PCI), Arun Jaitley said that it is not possible to impose Emergency-like restrictions on press freedom thanks to modern technology that provides multiple platforms to citizens to express their views.
“It is fashionable to say these days it’s another Emergency. Even if Emergency were ever to be re-imposed today, it would collapse for the simple reason that one of the strengths of Emergency was press censorship and technology doesn’t permit press censorship,” Jaitley said.
“Technology does not permit any kind of prior restraint today. You will get access to information through various means that technology provides,” he added.
He further added, “Well, your free speech can’t be in danger if you are criticising seven days a week. You have multiple forums. The technology has made censorship impossible, it has made pressuring impossible. You can pressurise one or two media houses but not thousands.”
Mr Jaitley said,”The biggest challenge today is how the media retains its own credibility so that it continues to become a maker of public opinion.”
Taking a dig at the earlier governments, he said,”Today, slightest of offence or comment can attract allegation of media or free speech being attacked. In 1952, the then I&B Minister decided that cricket commentary should not be broadcast on All India Radio (AIR).
“The Minister felt film music was unnecessary in any language and only classical music should be broadcast. There was objection to using Urdu words in Hindi. Therefore from 1952 to 1962 we didn’t have any of these,” he said.
On the occasion, eminent journalist and chairman of the Hindu publishing Group N. Ram was conferred prestigious Raja Ram Mohan Roy award for excellence in Journalism.