The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Protest against arrest of Seetaram

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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Protest against arrest of Seetaram

Special Correspondent

Ensure media functions in a free and fair manner, Chief Minister urged

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

distressed: Journalists staging a protest in Bangalore on Wednesday protesting against ‘intimidation’ of the media.

BANGALORE: About 100 journalists from various newspapers and electronic media under the banner of Journalists for Free Media staged a dharna in Bangalore on Wednesday to protest the arrest and handcuffing of editor-in-chief of Kannada daily Karavali Ale in connection with a defamation case.

Several editors, chiefs and senior journalists took part in the protest which was held in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue here.

Several journalists, including Lankesh Patrike editor Gowri Lankesh, Chief of Bureau of The Hindu Parvathi Menon, Special Correspondent of The Week, N. Bhanutej, Udaya News Channel’s News Editor S.R. Aradhya and Bangalore Reporters’ Guild general secretary B.N. Sreedhara addressed the gathering. Senior journalist from The New Indian Express T.J.S. George also took part in the protest.

An open letter to Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa demanding that the non-bailable arrest warrants against Mr. Seetaram be withdrawn and the media be allowed to function in a free and fair manner, was read out at the meeting.

The letter was later faxed to the Chief Minister, Home Minister V.S. Acharya and Law Minister S. Suresh Kumar. The letter stated that the “campaign of intimidation against Mr. Seetaram and his publications are nothing but an attempt to muzzle the right of the press to criticism and free expression.”

The easy resort to the provisions of the archaic defamation laws to criminally prosecute a journalist is shocking in a State that has had a fine tradition of media freedom, the letter noted.

Copies of the letter were sent to the chairperson of the Press Council of India, the president of the Editors’ Guild of India and the president of the Indian Newspapers’ Society.

The Bangalore Reporters’ Guild in a statement condemned the handcuffing of Mr. Seetaram. Guild general secretary B.N. Sreedhara sought immediate intervention of the State Government in the episode to secure the release of Mr. Seetaram.

The Udupi district unit of Karnataka Komu Sauharda Vedike has criticised the arrest of Mr. Seetaram.

The Vedike condemned the police for handcuffing Mr. Seetaram.

Criticised

Hassan District Working Journalists Association on Wednesday criticised the arrest of Mr. Seetaram.

A resolution was passed condemning the action.

Protesting against the arrest of Mr. Seetaram, members of Mysore District Journalists’ Association and district unit of People’s Union For Civil Liberties staged a demonstration.

The Delhi Union of Journalists has called upon the Karnataka Government to end the continued harassment and arrest of Mr. Seetaram. It has appealed to its members to be ready for observing a ``Black Day” if remedial action was not taken immediately.

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