It’s no secret that news channel editors have intensified their protest against the government’s move to amend the Cable Television Network Regulations Act on coverage of situations deemed “nationally important.” In the last two days, the editors of both English and Hindi news channels have met political leaders of all hues — Rajnath Singh, Prakash Karat, L K Advani — to put across their point of view.
The interesting bit, however, is that the editors who have also sought an appointment with the prime minister have not done so as the News Broadcasters Association (NBA), the representative body of all the news channels; they have sought the appointment as editors of the news channels. Clearly, the fight for “free media” is being spearheaded by the editors while the news channel managements and owners are staying away from the protests. There is no official word from the NBA on the issue.