Programme Code now prohibits that reportage of a terrorist attacks has to be done in accordance with the stipulated protocols, this may not have been relevant up until 1994 but with advent of technology, this was a requisite restriction, Bhatnagar says
What can violate the Programme Code remains static & the Government has amended it accordingly from time to time, Bhatnagar says.
Print media does not have regulation like the electronic media. Print media regulated viz. the Press & Registration Act, 1867 act which goes back to the British times, who thought that all that was required was registration, Bhatnagar tells
Bhatnagar says that the Press Council functions on Censure.
"Press & media functions essentially on reputation & its independence and a mere censure by an eminent panel is bad enough," he adds.
No individual is barred from approaching the Organisation, Bhatnagar tells the court.
Bhatnagar now on the effectiveness of the procedure.
Bench is now discussing the procedure which is to be followed by the PBNSO.
Bhatnagar says that these are eminent people & would like to be charged basis honorarium.
Bhatnagar is now reading out the objectives of the scheme for the organisation.
Court asks if the functioning of this work has begun.
Bhatnagar says no complaints have been received yet.
Justice (Retd.) Kehar will be the chairperson in this organisation.
Court asks if this is a voluntary position.
Bhatnagar tells the Court that the News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) is a private association & its own regulatory mechanism headed by a retired Supreme court judge. It has set up a self regulatory body called Professional News Broadcasting Standards Organisation (PNBSO).
The safeguards and procedures in place are sufficient to meet the balance, says Bhatnagar