Attack on media: Pune scribes send letter to AK Antony

The Pune Union of Working Journalists (PUWJ) has condemned the attack by army officers on media persons and has sent a letter to defence minister AK Antony on Wednesday appealing to all authorities concerned to take steps to avoid such acts in future and hoping for a swift action in the matter.

The letter sent by president Umesh Ghongale and general secretary Prasad Kulkarni on Wednesday mentions that they strongly condemn the attack on media representatives covering the brawl between young officers (YOs) and the police on Tuesday night (January 31). “The YOs from the prestigious college of military attacked journalists, photo-journalists and electronic media representatives when the latter were doing their duty of covering the incident. In the process, the YOs also confiscated a video tape having crucial footage of various news stories from a television journalist. The PUWJ demands immediate action against the culprits involved in this highly condemnable act,’’ the letter says.

It further says, “At the outset, PUWJ members would like to convey to the ministry of defence (MoD) that this not the sole incident of misbehaviour with the media representatives by the defence personnel in Pune and other parts under Southern Command.

Earlier also, a number of such incidents have taken place. Such misbehaviour is not only a threat for healthy relationship between media and defence forces, but is also tarnishing the image of defence personnel.’’