NEW DELHI: Raking up another controversy, Press Council of India chairperson Justice Markandey Katju has set up a committee to recommend minimum qualification required to become a journalist.

Suggesting that absence of a proper eligibility criterion was affecting the quality of reportage in the country, Katju had set up a committee comprising PCI members Shravan Garg, Rajeev Sabade and Dr Ujjwala Barve, Associate Professor, Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Pune.

In a statement, the Delhi Union of Journalists described the view as ?a regressive measure with a potential of making the profession restrictive and consequently undemocratic.? The Union said this will not only impact the coverage of news and views which will obviously reflect the bias of the privileged to the detriment of masses at large, but also bar the many not formally educated but talented persons from entering the profession, of whom there are scores of instances of rising to the top.

Delhi Union of Journalists further stated: "ironically, the idea defeats the very purpose of the existence of the Press Council which is to ensure freedom of expression and growth of the press and curb all restrictive practices."

Katju said in a statement that the need for a qualification for entry into the profession of journalism had been felt for some time. "In the lawyers profession, an LLB Degree as well as registration in a Bar Council is required. Similarly, for entry into the medical profession the necessary qualification is an MBBS Degree and also registration with the Medical Council," Katju said.

He added that for becoming a teacher, a teacher?s training certificate or degree is required so was the case with other professions. Katju said that, however, at present there is no qualification for entry into the profession of journalism

"Hence very often persons with little or inadequate training in journalism enter the profession, and this often leads to negative effects, because such untrained persons often do not maintain high standards of journalism," he said.

For quite some time, therefore, it has been felt that there must be some legal qualification before one can enter the profession of journalism, Katju said.

He said the media has an important influence on the lives of the people and the time has now come when some qualification should be prescribed by law.

Katju said that the team appointed by him will consider all aspects and submit a report at an early date suggesting the qualifications a person should have before he can be allowed to enter the profession of journalism.

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said censorship is no answer to irresponsible journalism and stressed on self-regulation by media.

In a message on the occasion of National Press Day, he said: ?It is for the members of the Fourth Estate themselves to collectively ensure that objectivity is promoted and sensationalism is curbed. It is for them to introspect how best they can serve our country and society and advance their well being."

 ?As a country, we believe in complete independence of the media from external control?, he reiterated.

"A free and fair media has been an essential pillar of our democracy. Since our struggle for freedom, media has been guiding social change, informing readers of their rights and contributing to the nation-building process by spreading awareness.?

National Press Day falls on 16 November in memory of the day when the Press Council of India started functioning in 1956 as a moral watchdog of media.

NEW DELHI: The first NT Awards, organised by Indiantelevision.com, kicked off today with the first round of jury meetings in a hall packed with some of the best known professionals in the field of journalism, film-making and related fields.

The meeting saw more than 70 TV news reports being screened in the categories of current affairs (Hindi and English), investigative reports (Hindi and English) and crime reports (English).

The jury were first informed of the rules and regulations and the aspects on which to make their nominations. The members were given rough sheets to make their first marking, and then finally transfer their marks on to the actual, signed ballot, which was evaluated by a professional and highly reputed audit firm.

The jurors had at the start agreed to see a clip for some duration and then decide whether they had a consensus on watching the entire clip for some more time or pass it over.

The second session after lunch saw some of the more detailed investigative reports, many of which were watched in great detail by the jurors.

The second day of jury meetings will be held on 12 June where 16 eminent jurors have been invited to make their decisions.

The jury meetings in Delhi will culminate on 13 June and later, some of the categories would be continued in Mumbai. The awards ceremony is expected to be held in the middle of July in New Delhi.

The meeting saw more than 70 TV news reports being screened in the categories of current affairs (Hindi and English), investigative reports (Hindi and English) and crime reports (English).

The jury were first informed of the rules and regulations and the aspects on which to make their nominations. The members were given rough sheets to make their first marking, and then finally transfer their marks on to the actual, signed ballot, which was evaluated by a professional and highly reputed audit firm.

The jurors had at the start agreed to see a clip for some duration and then decide whether they had a consensus on watching the entire clip for some more time or pass it over.

The second session after lunch saw some of the more detailed investigative reports, many of which were watched in great detail by the jurors.

The second day of jury meetings will be held on 12 June where 16 eminent jurors have been invited to make their decisions.

The jury meetings in Delhi will culminate on 13 June and later, some of the categories would be continued in Mumbai. The awards ceremony is expected to be held in the middle of July in New Delhi.