The Hindu : Kerala / Thiruvananthapuram News : Uproar in House over ‘threat’ to journalists

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Friday, Jul 06, 2007
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Kerala

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Uproar in House over ‘threat’ to journalists

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Assembly on Thursday witnessed uproarious scenes over statements issued by CPI(M) State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and leaders of DYFI and SFI against journalists.

The uproar followed attempts by the Opposition to get the proceedings adjourned to discuss the threats. Speaker K. Radhakrishnan denied permission to the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition, Oommen Chandy.

Several Opposition members were on their feet. Their treasury bench counterparts too joined the fray. Later, moving a submission on the issue K. Sudhakaran (Congress) came down heavily on the CPI(M) leadership for what he described as an attempt to gag the media. The CPI(M) State secretary himself has threatened Matrubhumi editor K. Gopalakrishnan for publication of reports against the party, he pointed out.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said no statement threatening journalists or media institutions had come to the notice of the Government. However, the Government has provided police protection to Mr. Goplakrishnan when the paper’s managing editor informed that there were threats.

The Government would provide all protection to the media to function freely and without fear.

The allegation that there were threats against the media was the creation of the Opposition, the Home Minister said.

Mr. Chandy pointed out that it was not the Opposition, but journalists themselves who had come up with the allegation.

He cited statements issued by leaders of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) and said the fears of the journalists should be addressed with seriousness.

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