Investigative Journalism Is Unfortunately Vanishing From Media Canvas : CJI NV Ramana

Speaking at a book launch event,  the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Wednesday said that the concept of investigative journalism is unfortunately vanishing from the media canvas.

The CJI said :  "As a person whose first job was that of a journalist, I am taking the liberty to share a few thoughts on present day media. The concept of investigative journalism is, unfortunately, vanishing from the media canvas. It is true at least in the Indian context. When we were growing up, we eagerly looked forward to news papers exposing big scandals. The news papers never disappointed us.

In the past, we have witnessed newspaper reports on scandals and misconduct creating waves leading to serious consequences. Barring one or two, I don't recall any story of such magnitude in the recent years. Everything in our garden appears to be rosy. I leave it to you to arrive at your own conclusions".

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The CJI was speaking at the launch event of the book "Blood Sanders : The Great Forest Heist" authored by Shri Sudhakar Reddy Udumula, Senior Journalist

In his speech, he shared a quote of Mahatma Gandhi  "The newspapers should be read for the study of facts. They should not be allowed to kill the habit of independent thinking."

"I hope the media introspects and tests itself against these words of Mahatma", the CJI added.

The CJI said that the book gave insights into what all has gone wrong with the fragile ecosystem spread over Chittoor, Nellore, Prakasam, Kadapa and Kurnool Districts of Andhra Pradesh. "Red Sanders thrived in this habitat till a few decades ago. Now it is facing the threat of extinction", he lamented.

CJI Ramana said that  Sudhakar Reddy has made some very good suggestions for protection and conservation of Red Sanders and the Seshachalam Forest Ecosystem. It includes creating a conducive atmosphere for the cultivation, harvest and trade of Red Sanders.

The Chief Justice also made a suggestion that involving local people in conservation can make a huge difference.