ABSTRACT

The presenter at this session was Mr Inder Jit, a former journalist and at the time of writing a member of Lok Sabha, the lower House of the Parliament of India. His presentation centred on two aspects: the importance of a free press and the vital role it plays in a democratic society; and the extent to which the press has failed to meet its responsibilities in recent years. He described the press as the principal link of communication between parlia­ ment and the people and essential to the success of a parliamentary democ­ racy. Ideally, it might be seen as an extension, or an ally, of the parliament, each complementing and supplementing the other in protecting essential freedoms. ‘Each would be a lame duck without the other, as shown by India’s experience during the emergency of 1975-77 when all fundamental rights, including the right to life and the freedom of expression, were sus­ pended.’ During this period the press were forbidden to report parliamentary proceedings without government approval. He himself was denied access to the press gallery and only pro-government journalists were accredited.