The Hindu Business Line : Rangarajan calls for free access to information

THE Chairman of the Twelfth Finance Commission, Dr C. Rangarajan, on Saturday called for free access to information to citizens, stressing that such access to information was "essential to the health of democracy".

In his address at the inauguration of the 125th anniversary celebrations of The Hindu here on Saturday, Dr Rangarajan observed that access to information enables citizens to make "responsible and informed choices, rather than acting out of ignorance or misinformation". Secondly, "it (access to information) acts as a check on people and parties in power, reminding them of their commitments to the people," he said.

Dr Rangarajan noted that three qualities — objectivity, clarity and authenticity — of The Hindu stood out and were also responsible for the "enduring bond" between The Hindu and its readers. "It must be admitted that in these days of instantaneous and sensational journalism, authenticity is a difficult virtue to maintain," he said.

He also noted that it was in the very nature of the newspaper industry that it had to derive more than half of its revenue from advertisements. "Competition to the print media comes from the electronic media, not only in the realm of dissemination of information, but also in attracting advertisement income," he added. The Hindu, he said, did not allow commercial interests to dilute its responsibilities in relation to providing unbiased information.

He said that while "activism in a cause is justifiable", journalistic activism "like judicial activism, must be tempered by self-imposed limits". Such limits were essential for the activism to be effective. "The reputation of The Hindu as a newspaper rests on the delicate balance it has been able to achieve in terms of the multiple objectives," Dr Rangarajan said.

Presiding, the Tamil Nadu Governor, Mr P.S. Ramamohan Rao, said steadfast adherence to the five principles enunciated by The Hindu in a recent editorial was an onerous responsibility in the present times when the visual medium presented events and occurrences almost in real time and in all their raw reality, leaving it to the viewer to form an opinion and draw conclusions. Views at variance with such clear and inexorable trends of actual events, shown on the visual medium, could severely undermine the credibility of the newspaper. Unless truthful and factual reporting was combined with variety and diversity in news analysis and comment, any paper would attract the criticism of serving as the mouthpiece of a vested interest or an ideology.

He said that The Hindu's sincerity of purpose and editorial evangelism protected it from accusations of commercial considerations. It proved that good journalism was also good business by combining journalistic merit with business savvy. Over the years, the paper had added various features on sports, society happenings, social interest stories, films and fashion, cartoons, art and culture, and a magazine section. Another factor that had contributed to the paper's longevity and success was that its management consistently harnessed technology and its advances to provide value to its readers and keep ahead of its rivals.

Mr N.P. Ramajayam, General Secretary, The Hindu Office and National Press Employees' Union, offering his felicitations, observed that The Hindu management was second to none in employee welfare. He assured the management of the employees' support in meeting the challenges in future.

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Rangarajan calls for free access to information