New Delhi: Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana Wednesday said the freedom of the press was a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Constitution and a fearless media was essential for an efficient working of democracy.
The CJI was speaking at the 10th RedInk Awards for Excellence in Journalism organised by the Mumbai Press Club.
Ramana noted a healthy democracy could thrive only with a fearless and independent press, but warned mixing news with views was a dangerous cocktail, adding, “nothing can be more lethal to democracy than the deadly combination of confrontational polity and competitive journalism.”
In his keynote address delivered during the event, the CJI also said journalists must follow the principles of natural justice before making adverse comments against someone who was not in a position to defend himself.
Read full text of the speech here: