22 Mar 2009
New Delhi, Mar 22 : The Indian Newspaper Society (INS) and the Editors' Guild of India have strongly condemned the attack on Kozhikode office of Manorama news channel on Saturday night allegedly for carrying a news item on the resignation of a local CPI(M) leader.
"This attack is nothing but a challenge against the freedom of the press. In case of any mistake in reporting, there are established means for correcting the same. It is foolish to try and gag media by unlawful means," INS chairman, MP Veerendra Kumar said in a press statement.
Calling upon all those who believe in democracy to protest against the incident, Kumar said, "A free media is the foundation of democracy. It cannot be justified if intolerance of political leaders turned towards it." The Editors' Guild of India said it was shocked to learn about the incident. It has demanded that Kerala Government and police authorities should provide full protection to journalists and news organisation in the state and strong action should be taken against the miscreants.
A mob of around 20 people -- allegedly belonging to the local unit of CPI (M) -- had damaged the office, a few vehicles and an OB van of the Manorama news channel, even as a journalist gave them a patient hearing, according to reports.
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