Prasad, who assumed charge as PCI Chief today, said it is his personal view that people are intelligent enough to judge if media acts irresponsibly, but democracy itself cannot survive if the media is controlled.
"Actually, self regulation is the best thing.... My personal view is that it is better to have irresponsible media than to have a controlled media. Because people take care of that and are intelligent enough to understand but (with a) controlled media, democracy can't survive," he told PTI.
"It is an individual view. One must understand that it (PCI) is a multi-member body. My view is not the council's view," Prasad said adding that a large number of people in the Press Council are very learned and that "their views should have great weight."
Asserting that "without freedom of press, you don't know anything", Prasad said that his basic mantra will be freedom of the press.
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Prasad, who succeeds Justice Markandey Katju as the PCI Chief, had retired as Judge of the Supreme Court of India on July 14, 2014.
Prasad was elevated as Judge of the Supreme Court on February 8, 2010 having held the office of Judge/Chief Justice of various High Courts since November 1994.
"The Council shall make all out efforts to preserve the freedom and independence of the press. While doing so the Council shall be guided by the Constitutional principles," a statement released by his office said.