The Hindu : Press freedom

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Nov 12, 2003

Opinion

Opinion - Letters to the Editor

Press freedom

Sir, — Benjamin Disraeli said: "The press is not only free, it is powerful. That power is ours. It is the proudest that man can enjoy. It was not granted by monarchs; it was not gained for us by aristocracies; but it sprang from the people, and with an immortal instinct, it has always worked for the people."

He was Prime Minister of the nation that was the birthplace of the Westminster model of government. We assure you of our total support. Let The Hindu march on.

M.B. Nirmal

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — The importance of Press freedom was stressed by legal luminaries like Justice Pathanjali Sastri who, in the Romesh Thapar case, observed "Freedom of speech and of the press lay at the foundation of all democratic organisations, for without free political discussion no public education, so essential for the proper functioning of the process of popular government, is possible".

The Tamil Nadu Assembly should take steps to rescind the sentence against The Hindu staff.

H. Syed Mathani,

Tiruchi, T.N.

* * *

Sir, — It is a blow not only against the Fourth Estate but also against the Constitution which has enshrined freedom of speech.

K. Thirumalai,

Chennai

* * *

Sir, — "Unto this silence, we must bring speech, and into these parched weary hearts, the ring of hope." In accomplishing the wish of Rabindranath Tagore, The Hindu, I am confident, will withstand all the persecution it undergoes for the cause of justice.

J. Edmond V. Rayen

Chennai

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Opinion

News Update

Stories in this Section

Press freedom vs its adversaries

Three is company

Tale of two anniversaries