PCI to inquire into attack on TN journalists

By J. Venkatesan

NEW DELHI, AUG. 8. A five-member team of the Press Council of India, led by Mr. Hari Jaisingh, Editor of Tribune, will inquire into the alleged attack and arrest of journalists in Tamil Nadu recently.

The decision to send a fact-finding team was taken by the Council at its meeting held here on Tuesday under the Chairmanship of Mr. Justice P.B. Sawant, whose tenure came to an end that day.

The Council considered petitions from journalist unions in Tamil Nadu, Sun TV and the Delhi Union of Journalists alleging that journalists performing their duties were being attacked and arrested in Tamil Nadu. Expressing serious concern over such attacks, the members decided to conduct an inquiry before passing appropriate orders.

The unions had brought to the Council's notice how journalists who tried to give a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa on the arrest of a Sun TV reporter, Mr. Suresh, were attacked and taken into police custody.

The team will visit Chennai later this month to ascertain the facts from the journalists organisations, Sun TV, Jaya TV, the Tamil Nadu Government and police regarding the various incidents alleged in the petitions. Before that it will issue notice to the State Government, the DGP and others.

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