NV Ramana – Central News Hub

‘Journalists dancing on razor’s edge’

Further, the CJI that those who are serving in conflict zones are willing to risk their lives…reports Asian Lite News.

Speaking truth to power and holding up a mirror to society is an immense responsibility that is extremely difficult to fulfill and there is enormous pressure and stress upon journalists, Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana said on Wednesday.

“In the contemporary world, performing duty as a journalist is akin to dancing on razor’s edge,” he said.

“As someone who started his professional career as a journalist, I can understand your difficulties and struggles,” the CJI said in a keynote address at the Red Ink Awards 2021, awarded for excellence in journalism.”

“You are on your feet for long hours and constantly on call and working. Holidays are few and far between and finding time to spend with family is difficult. The stress on your family is also immense. The wages too are not very encouraging. Women, particularly beyond metros, still find it difficult to gain a foothold in the profession,” he said.

Further, the CJI that those who are serving in conflict zones are willing to risk their lives.

“Those on regular beats are also no longer safe. Some of those in powerful positions, both political leaders and bureaucracy, the mafia of all shades, and those on the wrong side of the law – none of them are comfortable with the professional journalists. As a result, you keep getting unpleasant and disturbing messages. I know it is not easy for you and your families to deal with such threats. Another worrisome trend is the concerted effort to bracket journalists into a particular category. I can imagine how painful it is,” he said.

Yet, he stressed, “it is an extremely satisfying profession to pursue. It is often said that the legal profession is a noble profession. I can state that the journalist’s job is noble and is an integral pillar of democracy. Like the legal professional, a journalist also needs to have a strong moral fiber and moral compass. Your conscience is your guide in this profession”.

He also noted that the freedom of the press is a valuable and sacred right enshrined in the Indian Constitution.

“Without such freedom, there cannot be discussion and debate that is essential for the growth of democracy. There can be no flow of information that the public requires, and that democracy demands,” he added.

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Justice NV Ramana sworn in as Chief Justice of India

Justice Ramana took over as Chief Justice after the retirement of Justice S.A. Bobde on April 23, reports Asian Lite News

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday administered oath of office to 48th Chief Justice of India Justice N.V. Ramana in presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu and other dignitaries at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

As the Chief Justice of India, Justice Ramana will have a term till August 26, 2022. Before his elevation to the Supreme Court on February 17, 2014, Justice Ramana was the chief justice of the Delhi High Court. Justice Ramana was appointed as judge of the Andhra Pradesh High Court in 2000. He has also been the acting Chief Justice of the Andhra Pradesh high Court.

On April 6, the President had signed on the appointment of Justice N.V. Ramana as the next Chief Justice of India. Justice Ramana took over as Chief Justice after the retirement of Justice S.A. Bobde on April 23.

At a ceremony held today (April 24, 2021) at 1100 hrs in the Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India. He made and subscribed to the oath of office before the President.

In October 2020, a huge controversy had erupted as the Andhra Pradesh chief minister had written to the then Chief Justice alleging state’s High Court was being used to “destabilize and topple his democratically elected government”. The letter alleged that Justice Ramana was trying to control the High Court and also trying to influence cases, which impact the state government. However, an in-house inquiry did not find any merit in these allegations.

Justice Ramana has presided over several high-profile cases in the top court. In March last year, Justice Ramana headed five-judge Constitution bench which declined to refer to a larger seven-judge bench a batch of petitions challenging the constitutional validity of the Centre’s decision to revoke provisions of Article 370, which gave special status to the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.

In Anuradha Bhasin v. Union of India, January last year, Justice Ramana expounded on the nature of fundamental rights and declared that the right to freedom of speech and expression over the internet is a fundamental right. This judgment ensured the eventual return of internet in the Kashmir Valley.

At a ceremony held at 1100 hrs in the Ashoka Hall, Rashtrapati Bhavan, Justice Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, was sworn in as the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of India.

In Foundation for Media Professionals v. State (UT OF J&K) matter, where petitioners sought high-speed internet, Justice Ramana headed bench which balanced the fundamental rights and the concerns of the state security and appointed a special committee to ensure that restrictions, if required, are narrowly tailored and not permanent in nature.

Justice Ramana also headed a three-judge bench which dealt with the legal questions emerging from the resignation of 17 rebel MLAs of Congress and JDS of Karnataka. Justice Ramana headed bench, also ordered expediting trial in pending cases against former and sitting MPs and MLAs.

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