And, Now there is a Tamil News Agency � SEITHI.

Launching SEITHI, the Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Prof. K Anbalagan made a few observations that would set every newsman thinking. The relevance and impact of any piece of news will have to be weighed before it is delivered. Newsworthiness is a major aspect that has to be kept in mind. Does it have sufficient relevance to society to warrant coverage? Just because something is unusual, does it make news? According to Anbalagan, it is not a sin to hold back a news if you feel that its publication would do more harm than good to society.

This is a sensitive issue that has been engaging the minds of journalists the world over. There is a school of thought, according to which it is the sacred duty of a journalist to deliver whatever news he or she is in possession of. It is a sin to withhold it It is not for the journalist to decide if the delivery of the news would help or harm society. It is not for him to sit in judgment over the moral issues involved. He is just expected to aim for objectivity by trying to cover all sides of an issue without bias.

In an era of information explosion, it may not be possible to withhold any news. If one agency decides not to carry it, someone else may decide in its favour. There can be no gainsaying the fact that eventually one will have to weigh the pros and cons.

Let us hope that SEITHI will for ever remain neutral and avoid bias, except for clearly indicated editorial articles. Welcome to the Club.