Today as we observe National Press Day we need to reflect that the threat to the very freedom of the Press hangs like the proverbial sword of Damocles.
In a democracy it is absolutely essential that our Press has to be free from political, government or any other external interference. The current government cannot claim to respect this freedom.
A free and independent Press is considered to be the watchdog of democracy but sadly there is scant regard for this truism in the world’s largest democracy.
The Press, like the Judiciary, has to be absolutely free from any meddling whatsoever as the freedom of the press and freedom of expression are fundamental to the very survival of any democracy. But more often than not, political power is used to further the cause of the power-hungry rather than to serve the masses.
Freedom of expression is one of our most precious right without which there cannot be true democracy and as a consequence it will not ensure good governance.
May the words of Thomas Jefferson inspire all those in this noble journalism profession “When the press is free and every man able to read, all is safe.”
