Journalists must resist being 'co-opted by ideology or state': CJI Ramana
Mumbai(PTI): The freedom of the press was a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Constitution and a fearless media was essential for an efficient working of democracy, Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana said on Wednesday and maintained journalists must resist being "co-opted by an ideology or the state".
He said a healthy democracy could thrive only with a fearless and independent press, but warned "news mixed with views is a dangerous cocktail".
The CJI cautioned journalists against the trend of seeping of ideological biases into news stories and said factual reports must keep aside interpretations and opinions.
"Another trend that I witness in reporting nowadays, is the seeping of ideological stances and biases into the news story. Interpretation and opinions are colouring what should be factual reports," he said.
Underscoring the need for unbiased, fact-based reportage, particularly during the current 24 7 news cycle, and the vast reach of social media, the CJI said that journalists must resist being "co-opted by an ideology or by the state".
"It is often said that the legal profession is a noble profession. I can state that the journalist's job is as noble and is an integral pillar of democracy," CJI Ramana said.
"Like the legal professional, a journalist also needs to have a strong moral fibre and moral compass. Your conscience is your guide in this profession," he said.
The CJI was speaking at the 'Red Inks Award' organised online by the Mumbai Press Club in the through a virtual interface. The top-most Supreme Court judge lamented the increasing trend of "mixing views with news," and publishing defamatory content without due verification. He said journalists must follow the principles of natural justice before making adverse comments against someone who was not in a position to defend himself.
"Allowing yourself to be co-opted by an ideology or the state is a recipe for disaster. Journalists are like judges in one sense," CJI Ramana said.
"Regardless of the ideology you profess and the beliefs you hold dear, you must do your duty without being influenced by them," he said.
The Chief Justice of India also congratulated all the winners of the Red Ink Awards.
He said Mumbai had been at the "forefront of protecting the freedom of speech and expression," and added the city had been home to some great patriots, freedom fighters, human rights activists and journalists.
It was, therefore, apt that the Mumbai Press Club organised the awards for fearless journalism, the CJI said.
"The media must have belief and trust in the judiciary. As a key stakeholder in democracy, the media has the duty to defend and protect the judiciary from motivated attacks by evil forces," he said.
"We are together in the Mission Democracy and in promoting national interest. We have to sail together," the CJI said.
He added that the trend to "sermonise about judgments, and villainise judges," needed to be checked. In his keynote address delivered during the event, CJI Ramana also paid tributes to late photojournalist Danish Siddiqui, who was killed earlier this year in Afghanistan, where he was on an assignment when foreign troops were withdrawing from the war-torn country.
Siddiqui was named posthumously as the 'Journalist of the Year - 2020' at the Red Ink Awards.
"He (Siddiqui) was a man with a magical eye. If a picture can convey a thousand words, his photos were novels" CJI Ramana said.
He also paid a tribute to all journalists who had lost their lives while reporting during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Their reporting was integral for highlighting issues and to bring much needed attention to the plight of our citizens," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
===================
The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
