Zee Entertainment Chairman Emeritus Subhash Chandra Urges For Unity In Media; Details Inside

In an address at a press conference in New Delhi on Monday, Subhash Chandra, Chairman Emeritus of Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL), emphasized the critical role of media as a feedback mechanism for governments while urging all stakeholders to stand firm against threats to press freedom. His remarks come amid growing concerns about the increasing pressures faced by the media from various quarters of the governing class.

"Media is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy but faces increasing pressure from the governing class, whether the legislature, executive, corporates and more. There are structured attempts by them to align the media in order to achieve their agenda," Chandra stated. His comments underscore the vital function of media in holding the government accountable and providing necessary feedback, which he argued is crucial for a healthy democracy. Suppressing this feedback mechanism, according to Chandra, would be "more of a loss to the governors than the governed."

Chandra made a clarion call to all stakeholders, including viewers and regulatory bodies, to recognize and resist the threats to press freedom. "I urge all stakeholders, including our viewers and regulatory bodies, to recognize and stand against these threats to press freedom," he asserted. This call to action is particularly poignant given the context of India's disappointing ranking of 159 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index.

Interestingly, Chandra did not place the blame solely on external pressures but also pointed a finger at the media itself. He criticized some media outlets for accepting these pressures as part of life rather than resisting or voicing their disagreement. "Unfortunately, many of the news channels, newspapers, social media and digital platforms have started accepting the pressure as part of life, instead of resisting or voicing out their disagreement," Chandra said, suggesting that this complacency has contributed to India's low ranking in terms of press freedom.

Highlighting a specific instance of government pressure, Chandra recounted the controversy surrounding an interview with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He explained that the independent editorial team at Zee Media decided not to air the full interview due to some objectionable content. This decision, however, was met with resistance from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which demanded the entire interview be telecast or face "consequences."

"The government of Punjab forced a blackout across the state, leveraging a monopoly of a particular Multiple System Operator (MSO). The blackout was forced, not only for Zee News but also for Zee Punjab Haryana Himachal and Zee Delhi NCR," Chandra revealed. He further accused the state government of extending the blackout to Zee Entertainment channels and withdrawing all AAP spokespersons from debates on Zee Media's news channels.

Despite these challenges, Chandra emphasized the importance of perseverance and legal recourse. After a prolonged legal battle, all Zee channels were restored on May 31. He expressed disappointment, however, that no other news networks voiced their support during this ordeal, highlighting a concerning lack of solidarity within the media industry.

When questioned about his stance on similar pressures were exerted by the Central government, Chandra remained resolute. "I not only recognise but also take pride in the importance of a free press in a democratic society and condemn any attempts to stifle journalistic freedom," he affirmed.

Chandra's address serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by the media in India. His call for unity and resistance against pressures from the governing class resonates deeply in an era where the independence of the press is increasingly under threat. By drawing attention to these issues, Chandra hopes to galvanize both the media industry and the general public to stand up for press freedom, ensuring that the media can continue to serve its essential role as the fourth pillar of democracy.