Censoring media not viable, says minister

New Delhi: Finance minister Arun Jaitley on Friday stated that censorship on media is not possible in today’s age because of technology.

Addressing a National Press Day event in New Delhi on Friday, Mr Jaitley stated that if the emergency was ever to be reimposed, it would collapse for the simple reason that one of the strengths of the emergency was Press censorship and technology does not permit a press censorship today.

The finance minister pointed out that in the age of social media, the greatest challenge before the press is to retain its credibility.

“Today, you have a scenario where you’ve highly competitive electronic, print & digital media. You’ve multiple forums and because of technology, censorship is impossible. Any kind of pressure is impossible,” Mr Jaitley said.

Reasserting that nobo-dy can now complain that their free speech is in danger due to multiple forums for readers and viewers, Mr Jaitley said technology has made that putting pressures on media is next to impossible due to the growth of social media.

Mr Jaitley said that with multiple choices available today mean that every political viewpoint finds a space in media.

“Nobody can now complain that  their free speech is in danger due to multiple choices,” he added.  

Speaking on the occasion, Chairman Press Council of India, Justice Chandramouli Kumar Prasad said, regulating media is unacceptable and Press Council work relentlessly to uphold the integrity and impartiality of the media.