राजनीति

Disagreement should not lead to hatred and violence, says CJI Chandrachud

Highlighting the importance of a free press for a democracy, the CJI said “media is the fourth pillar in the conception of the State, and thus an integral component of democracy."

Underlining the need to respect divergent views, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud Wednesday said disagreements “must not distort into hatred and hatred must not be permitted to evolve into violence”.

Speaking at the in New Delhi where he was the chief guest, CJI Chandrachud said “many journalists, both in our country as well as across the world, work in difficult and unfriendly conditions. But they are relentless in the face of adversity and opposition. It is precisely this quality which must not be lost”.

“As citizens, we may not agree with the approach that a journalist has adopted or the conclusions that they reach. I, too, find myself disagreeing with many journalists. After all, who amongst us agrees with all other people? But disagreement must not distort into hatred and hatred must not be permitted to evolve into violence,” he said.

Highlighting the importance of a free press for a democracy, the CJI said “media is the fourth pillar in the conception of the State, and thus an integral component of democracy. A functional and healthy democracy must encourage the development of journalism as an institution that can ask difficult questions to the establishment — or as it is commonly known, ‘speak truth to power. The vibrancy of any democracy is compromised when the press is prevented from doing exactly this. The press must remain free if a country is to remain a democracy,” he said.

Responsible journalism, he said, is “the beacon of truth that can guide us to a better tomorrow. It is the engine that drives democracy forward, based on the quest for truth, justice, and equality. As we navigate the challenges of the digital age, it is more important than ever for journalists to maintain standards of accuracy, impartiality, and responsibility in their reporting”.

“All societies inevitably become dormant, lethargic and immune to the problems that plague them” and “journalism (in all its forms) is one of the key aspects which prods us out of this collective inertia,” he said.

Highlighting the media’s role in shaping the course of events “and by extension, the course of history itself”, the CJI referred to the #Metoo movement.

Terming it a “watershed moment in history”, he recalled that it “was sparked in part by the publication of stories concerning the accusations of sexual harassment against prominent figures in the film industry in USA” but “had cascading effects all across the world”.

The CJI said “India has a great legacy of newspapers which have acted as catalysts of social and political change” and touched upon how news has now gone online.