PM condoles Malik's death

Describing noted columnist Amita Malik as a "passionate guardian" of the freedom of speech, prime minister Manmohan Singh on Saturday, said with her death the country has lost a thoughtful journalist.

"Amita Malik was a passionate guardian of the freedom of speech even as her columns marked her as a conscience keeper of the media," the prime minister said in a condolence message.

In the passing away of Malik, the country has lost an engaging and thoughtful journalist whose writings provoked and
entertained her readers, he added.

The renowned film critic served as a member of the jury of the prestigious Cannes Film festival with distinction and worked hard to present Indian cinema to the world, Singh said.

Malik, 87, passed away at a hospital here on Friday, after a prolonged illness.