IJU, Press Assn slam PCI chief’s affidavit on curbs

New Delhi, August 25

The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and the Press Association have taken a serious view of the “unilateral action” by the Press Council of India’s (PCI) chairman Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad by seeking to intervene in a writ petition filed by Kashmir Times executive editor Anuradha Bhasin in the Supreme Court, seeking removal of media curbs in J&K.

Claiming that the chairman’s move had not only undermined the credibility of the institution but went against the primary aim of the institution in protecting press freedom, the three nominated members on the PCI in a statement said they were astounded at the affidavit which “has argued in favour of the ban in the interest of integrity and sovereignty of the nation”.

Jaishankar Gupta and CK Nayak of the Press Association, who are current members of the PCI, expressed “surprise” that the council was not taken into confidence in “such a grave matter”. The IJU said : What is of serious concern is that the Chairman did not inform the council of the affidavit filed in the SC. This is in violation of Rule 8 of the Press Council Regulation.” — TNS