The conduct of the media should be above board and the highest standards of ethics should be professed always, President Pranab Mukherjee said here today.
Invoking a verse from Rabindranath Tagore's Gitanjali-- "where the knowledge is free...Where words come out from the depth of truth", the President said there should be conducive atmosphere for ensuring freedom of speech.
He stressed that the media had an important responsibility in ensuring freedom of expression for the citizens and it owed accountability to the nation.
"In our country, freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Constitution and the influence, credibility and quality of our media is well recognised. But freedom of expression can never be guaranteed only through legal rights and enactments.
"It must be ensured under conducive atmosphere," Mukherjee said in his speech during the 125th anniversary celebrations of the Malayala Manorama group here.
The President said media has an important role to play in cleansing public life. "However, to undertake this role the conduct of the media should be above board.
"It must be always kept in mind that ends and means are both important. The highest standards of ethics must be maintained at all times and for all," he said.
Malayala Manorama Chief Editor Mammen Mathew, Kerala Governor H R Bhardwaj, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Union Telcom Minister Kapil Sibal were also present on the occasion.
Addressing the gathering, Mathew spoke of the emergence of the group, established in 1888, over the years from pre- Independence days to the 21st century.
The Malayala Manorama is published from 18 centres including two centres overseas and has a circulation of 21.29 lakh with around 97.52 lakh readers at present.
The President praised the role played by the Malayala Manorama newspaper and the media group which also has presence in the cyber and electronic world.
"Over the years, the Manorama has not just chronicled the events of India's amazing journey for these 125 years, it has also been an active participant in the process of bringing significant change in our country and in our society," he said.
