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.