NEW DELHI: In remarks that seemed to indicate his lack of support for the ‘ award wapsi ’ movement by writers, scientists and filmmakers protesting “growing intolerance” under the Modi government, President Pranab Mukherjee said awards should be cherished and disagreements settled through debates.

Speaking at the Press Council of India national awards , the President said, “Prestigious awards such as these are a public recognition of talent, merit and hard work by peers and leaders in the profession. Such awards should be cherished and valued by those who receive them… Sensitive minds sometimes get disturbed by some incidents in society. But expression of concern over such events should be balanced. Emotions should not overrun reason, and disagreement should be expressed through debate and discussion."

The President’s reference to awards given by the Sahitya Akademi and the Padma awards did not refer to any incidents in particular but he said India has always been able to self-correct whenever such a need has arisen. Mukherjee is also understood to have expressed the view that national awards should be above political controversy to delegations that called on him.

Mukherjee also said gloomy and dark events alone should not dominate news coverage and a conscious effort should be made to show what is noble and good in society. The President also emphasized that the conduct of media itself should be above board as independence and integrity were two sides of the same coin.

Sensationalism, he said, should not substitute for objective, accurate and dispassionate reporting. He advised that caution should be exercised in passing judgments, especially on matters where the due process of law was yet to be completed.

“It is said accusations appear in headlines, denial in small print and contradictions are hidden away amid cheap advertisements," Mukherjee said, adding that media must realize that it remains accountable to its readers and viewers and through them, to the entire nation.

Addressing the issue of “intolerance’’, minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said there was no debate on the issue. “India is and will forever remain a tolerant nation,’’ he said.

The minister also took this opportunity to underline that media must provide “information not infotainment’’, sense not sensationalism, report on politics but not give a political spin to news. Rathore added that these were also “testing and dangerous times" for people who spoke the truth.

‘Paid news’ and ‘physical harm’ are the tools in the hands of a few individuals, who either want to muzzle the press or want the press to become their mouthpiece, he said.

Asserting that the government stood for freedom of press, he cited a speech of PM Narendra Modi in which he had said that because of the media, the government could realize the essence of what people want in five minutes rather than five years and there was scope, if required, of mid-course correction.

PCI chairman Justice (retd) C K Prasad was also present on the occasion and sought expansion of powers of the council.

