Top News
SC flays section of media for ‘irresponsible reporting’
New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) The Supreme Court on Thursday lashed out at a section of the media for what it said was “irresponsible reporting” and observed that they should not feel like the “Pope sitting on the pulpit”.
Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra in particular criticised the electronic media and websites against baseless publications, containing insinuations, and emphasised the importance of “responsible journalism”.
Justice Misra said: “Many in the electronic media think they can write anything. Whatever excites your imagination — you can write anything and get away… can some people sit on the pulpit and write anything? Is that journalism?”
“How can anyone write whatever they feel about anyone. There are limits… are they free to write anything? What they write sometimes is sheer contempt of court,” the CJI observed.
Stressing that he was not commenting on the case before the bench, Justice Misra added: “You cannot reproduce anything that comes to your heart and mind. There has to be some basis. You cannot nurture, construct, construe, create anything. That’s not the culture of journalism.”
“The question of gagging the media does not come at all. I have myself rebuffed all attempts to gag the media, but we do expect the media, especially electronic media, to become more responsible. They cannot publish anything only because they have some websites,” Justice Misra said while cautioning such electronic media and websites.
Justice Misra’s remarks came during the hearing of an appeal by news portal “The Wire” and its founding editors and journalist against the Gujarat High Court’s January 8 order, refusing to quash summons issued against them by a trial court.
Journalist Rohini Singh’s article on the company of Jay Shah, son of BJP President Amit Shah, was published in “The Wire”. The article claimed Jay’s company’s turnover grew exponentially after the BJP-led government came to power at the Centre in 2014.
The top court asked the Gujarat trial court not to proceed till April 12 with the criminal defamation complaint filed by Jay Shah last year against the news portal and its journalists.
The bench also comprising Justice A.M. Khanwilkar and Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked Jay Shah to filed his response within two weeks.
The High Court had in January, rejecting the website’s petition for quashing of the criminal defamation case filed by Jay Shah, had said that based on initial impression, there was a case against the reporter and editors.
The article “The Golden Touch of Jay Amit Shah” is per say defamatory and the trial court should proceed with the case, the High Court had ordered.
In October 2017, Jay Shah had filed a criminal defamation case in the trial court in Gujarat after ‘The Wire’ article.
–IANS
gt/tsb/bg
Top News
Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.