Outcomes will likely define the future of journalism also in Pakistan and Region
LAHORE- (Pakistan Point News – 7th March 2019) An interesting debate has been started in Indian media on the Official Secrets Act and role of media houses in the protection of ‘sources’ amid the Rafale jets purchase case proceedings in country’s top court.
The Hindu, India’s leading English language newspaper, is both leading the debate and lies at the center of controversy in the overall debate.
Needless to mention here that the daily broke the ‘corruption scandal’ of Modi government in the Rafale jets purchase deal from France.
The Indian Supreme Court has already given out the clean chit to the BJP government in the deal. But, the apex court’s hearings continue on the review petition.
During the hearings, the Attorney General of India told the top court that deal documents were stolen from the Defense Ministry office, requesting the court dismiss the petition.
The government lawyer at the same time demanded criminal action against The Hindu ‘on stealing sensitive documents and publishing them by violating the Official Secrets Act.
The Hindu, however, defended the publication, denied theft and vowed to protect ‘its source’ who provided information about the deal. The paper also raised questions on the validity of the Secrets Act.
“Documents related to the Rafale deal were published in public interest and nobody would get any information from The Hindu newspaper on the confidential sources who provided them,” The Hindu Publishing Group Chairman N Ram has vowed in a statement, expressing the resolve and commitment of the media house towards journalist dignity. At the same time, the paper was running articles of the country’s leading analysts against the government secrets.
“The colonial-era law [Official Secrets Act] meant for ensuring secrecy and confidentiality in governance, mostly on national security and espionage issues, has often been cited by authorities for refusing to divulge information. Governments have also faced criticism for misusing the law against journalists and whistleblowers,” read an article published in the paper.
The debate will make a great contribution in shaping the future of media-government relation in India. Its effects cannot be ruled out in Pakistan where the media is facing the same issue by and large.
