MEDIA/FREEDOM OF PRESS - 2013 - Indian Social Institute

Jaipur: Is “freedom of expression” a muddled notion? Is there a need to define more clearly wherefreedom of expression ends and deliberate incitement begins? Does freedom of expression allowsomething that has the potential to incite violence and discrimination? During a session titled “Freedom ofspeech and expression” at the Jaipur Literature Festival, journalist and managing editor of TehelkaShoma Chaudhury said Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which imposes reasonable restrictions onfundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, needed to be debated. The discussion featuredMs. Chaudhury, writers John Burnside, Orlando Figes and Bashrat Peer in conversation with journalistTimoth Garton Ash. While she was a “freedom absolutist” on matters of cultural production like art andcinema, Ms. Chaudhury said freedom of expression could not be taken as an absolute concept when itcame to public discourse, which included public speeches. To the latter part, poet and film lyricist JavedAkhtar, who was part of the audience, asked how one could define the limits of freedom and expression,and if one were to justify restrictions on speeches that incited violence did it not bring the discourse backto square one? Ms. Chaudhury replied that censorship should apply to modes of expression that werefactually incorrect and incited violence and these could be easily identified. She cited the example of therecent exodus of Assamese and other north-eastern students from several cities in India, which was theresult of incorrect information circulated across the Internet and other means of communication. Therewas a need for society to “assert its right to offend others,” something that should not be silenced in thename of public sentiment and political correctness as these were just smokescreens, Ms. Chaudhurynoted. British historian noted for study of Russia Orlando Figes said freedom of speech could only beeffective when it translated into street protests and mass movements and had no meaning whenpreached by armchair intellectuals. Citing a 2010 poll, Mr. Figes said most Russians were not only awarethat their television programmes were controlled and manipulated by authorities; they were verycomfortable with it since they believed it helped maintain social order. Kashmiri journalist and authorBasharat Peer talked about censorship of the press by the government. “The story of surveillance andcensorship go together,” said Mr. Peer, citing an example of an undercover policeman in Kashmirreporting back to the government on the activities of the Press. “Especially in the case of smallnewspapers published from the States, like in Kashmir and Bihar restrictions are implemented bystopping government ads,” he said about press censorship working through economic restrictions.Moderator Timothy Garton Ash said journalists working for smaller publications — including bloggers,freelancers and independent journalists working in remote centres — faced the greatest risk of beingsilenced. (The Hindu 26/1/13)Journalist molested by BSF jawans at Kolkata crossing (1)KOLKATA: A woman journalist was allegedly molested by three BSF jawans in uniform at the crowdedShyambazar crossing on Monday evening. Passersby nabbed and beat up one of the suspects, while theother two escaped. Locals staged a half-hour road blockade accusing the police of shielding the jawansand helping them get away. The police lathicharged the protesters, triggering chaos at the busy trafficcrossing. The girl, who works with a news channel, had gone to a restaurant with a friend. They hadbarely stepped out, around 7.30pm, when three BSF jawans made lewd comments at her, says thecomplaint. One of them was brazen enough to touch her and "tried to sexually assault her", she says. "Iwas shocked. The jawans were in uniform yet completely drunk. One of them lunged at me. I could notimagine that such a thing could happen in a place like Shyambazar crossing, where there were hundredsof people,"she said. The journalist screamed for help and a crowd quickly gathered. People waiting at anearby bus stop rushed out and surrounded the men in uniform. The trio tried to flee but the girl chasedone of them down. "I ran after him and grabbed him near a police kiosk. Locals helped me overpower himand we handed him to the police," she said. (Times of India 29/1/13)Rs 5 lakh relief to kin of scribe killed in police firing (1)