'Media's self-regulatory mechanism poor'

New Delhi, March 16: Expressing concern at the “idequate” self-regulatory mechanism within the media, Prasar Bharati chairman A. Surya Prakash has suggested that the Press Council must become a ‘Media Council’ with adequate media representation and acquire more teeth. Some private news channels have been creating noise during prime time shows ignoring news content, he said. Surya Prakash, a veteran jourlist, was addressing an open session at the 9th Global Communication Conclave organised by communication industry body Public Relations Council of India (PRCI) here. “Each and every Indian is a stakeholder in Prasar Bharati since it depends on union budgetary support — about Rs.2,100 crore out of its Rs.4,000-crore budget in the current fincial year,” he said. “Its own revenue generation is around Rs.1,650 crore as of now. With increased focus on interl revenue generation, this is expected to improve,” he said.  Earlier, Editors Guild general secretary Ajay Upadhyay said the entire media community need not be painted with the same brush just because of some perceived unethical practices. Most media houses do have gatekeepers in the form of strong news desks and editors to check the flow of news into newspapers and channels. (IANS)