Expressing dismay over the probe in the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, editors of leading print and TV networks on Tuesday demanded that the investigation be transferred to the CBI.
Expressing dismay over the probe in the murder of journalist Jyotirmoy Dey, editors of leading print and TV networks on Tuesday demanded that the investigation be transferred to the CBI.
During a meeting with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan at Mantralaya, the editors also opposed the formation of the Maharashtra Press Council to hear complaints against journalists.
Chavan assured of a breakthrough in the Dey murder case soon and added that the police investigation was moving in the right direction. He reiterated that there was no need to hand over the probe to the CBI as it will delay the investigation.
The editors, including Aditya Sinha (DNA), Sachin Kalbag (MiD DAY), N Ram (Hindu), Shekhar Gupta (The Indian Express Group), Arnab Goswami (Times Now), Girish Kuber (Loksatta) and Nikhil Wagle (IBN-Lokmat), spoke against the deplorable condition of journalists in the state and condemned the attacks on them. A survey by journalist organisations has revealed that 1,500 journalists were attacked in the past 20 years.
“The media had strongly opposed the defamation law proposed by the then Rajiv Gandhi government in 1988 and the Bihar Press Bill in 1981. The state government’s proposal to provide a forum for grievances against journalists is perverse logic,” said Shekhar Gupta.
He added that the proposed state council will be opposed by journalists in the same manner. “Forums like the Press Council of India and laws against defamation already exist. There is no need form an additional forum,” he said.
During a press conference later in the day, N Ram said: “The chief minister was told that the journalist fraternity was against the proposed council for grievances against journalists.”
He added: “We also pressed for an amendment in the law to provide protection to journalists against attacks.”
Nikhil Wagle said the scenario in rural areas was worse as politicians and vested interests target journalists at will. He said there have been 879 attacks on journalists and media houses in Maharashtra in the past 20 years — the worst in any state.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}