Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
Journalism is Civilization's mirror and Investigative Journalism it's X-ray: Punjab and Haryana High Court
Gustakhi Maaf Haryana-Pawan Kumar Bansal
Journalism is Civilization’s mirror and Investigative Journalism it’s X-ray: Punjab and Haryana High Court
In a landmark Judgement The Punjab and Haryana High Court has reinforced the crucial role of a free Press in fostering transparency.- Petition of Journalist Swatantra Saxena and other Journalits.
Justice Anoop Chitkara reaffirming the pivotal role of journalism as the fourth pillar of democracy adding that a reporter‘s sacrosanct duty as a journalist was Loyalty towards the citizenry.
They served as an independent monitors of power,reporting information for public good and safety, addressing any problems or lacunae in the public system for its effective functioning and immediate redressal.
Justice Chitkara also underscored the judiciary‘s indispensable role in protecting journalists by asserting that all Courts were required to be “more vigilant and proactive while safeguarding the interests of such courageous humans”.
In the fearless pursuit of their duties to undercover the truth and report such facts the masses through media,these brave journalists do face various hurdles,e.g pressure from influential parties,groups or government agencies etc.
To ensure honest and correct reporting of actual events,such Journalits require the protection of courts, especially constitutional courts,to enable them to publish news without fear of harmful consequences”.
Talking to”Gustakhi Maaf Haryana,Saxena an old friend also said that judgement is eye opener for those who file cases against journalits without any solid reasons.Tailpiece.This scribe had also faced defamation cases by powerful politicians and IAS and IPS officers and won all.Bansal, author of Book”Tips for Investigative Journalism”can be contacted at pawanbansal 2@gmail.com.
