Eradicating corruption requires continuous, coordinated and dedicated efforts. It is then highly distressing to see a government itself declaring war on attempts to end corruption by trying to silence media.
The ordinance brought out by the government of Rajasthan, led by Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, is anti-democratic and detrimental to the freedom of press. The ordinance and the subsequent bill aim to ensure that government’s prior permission is required for investigations into the allegations against public servants, including judges and bureaucrats. It also stipulates that the media should not make public the allegations before the investigation starts.
Imposing restrictions on the media is indeed against right to information. The new law includes a clause which says journalists who publish, without the government’s permission, the names of those involved in a corruption case can be charged and imprisoned for up to two years.
A government that considers bringing to light cases corruption as well as the names of those facing corruption charges a crime entailing punishment is indeed highly unwelcome. The damaging decree has invited widespread protests from society in general, the media as well as various political parties.
The fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression, guaranteed by the Constitution, protects the media in discharging its social responsibility freely and truthfully. Though freedom of press is a basic element in democracy, media establishments and journalists in many countries are being compelled to work under threat from governments or political parties or both. We must not let India descend to this dangerous situation. We must ensure total security and freedom to the media to carry on with its activities.
At a time when democratic values and civil rights are facing threats at various levels, the law brought out by the Rajasthan government must not be allowed to be implemented. For this, a high level of alertness is required from the part of both the public in general and the political parties. The anti-democratic law such as this might encourage other state governments with similar mindset to follow the suit. This must not happen.
The ordinance was signed by the governor of Rajasthan on September 6, 2017. Though the bill to replace the ordinance was later presented in the Rajasthan assembly, the government was forced to send it to a select committee following widespread protests. The select committee will submit its report on the ordinance in the forthcoming session of the assembly. Even if the select committee makes amendments to the bill, the threat that the bill poses is huge, considering the fact that the ruling party enjoys a big majority in the assembly. Hence, this bill, which is enormously hazardous to democracy and freedom of the media, must be withdrawn lock, stock and barrel.
