Only a fearless and independent press can help a democracy thrive and survive, said Chief Justice of India at a Mumbai Press Club event on Wednesday.
"Speaking the truth to power and holding a mirror up to society is an enormous responsibility that is extremely difficult to fulfil," he said.
CJI added, "It is often said that the legal profession is a noble profession," praising journalism as a noble profession,. I believe that journalism is a noble profession and an important pillar of democracy.
Moreover, press freedom is a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Indian Constitution. There can be no discussion or debate without such freedom, which is necessary for the growth of a democracy. There can be no information flow that the public requires or that a democracy requires.
"To be able to accurately inform the readers and viewers, the media needs to invest in specialists," he said, referring to the current demand for specialists.
"In the race for ratings, the important journalistic tenet of verification before publishing is not being followed," CJI Ramana said of the alarming trend of ratings in contemporary reporting. As a result, inaccurate reporting occurs. In a matter of seconds, social media amplifies that false information. It's difficult to retract something once it's been published. Unfortunately, unlike print and electronic media, it is nearly impossible to hold social media platforms like YouTube accountable, even after they host the most derogatory and defamatory content that has the potential to ruin careers and lives."
The Chief Justice of India, also paid tribute to the late Danish Siddiqui. CJI praised his journalism, describing him as a man with a "magical eye" who was rightly regarded as one of the era's best photo-journalists.