The Hindu : Gujarat Govt.'s comment on press draws flak

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 12, 2002

National

National

Gujarat Govt.'s comment on press draws flak

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI JUNE 11. The Gujarat Government's comment that there was an "inherent danger'' of attacks on journalists covering communal riots has been condemned as a "direct assault on the freedom of the press'' by NGOs.

A statement issued by Syeda Hamid of the Muslim Women's Front, John Dayal of the All-India Christian Council, Iqbal Ansari of the Minorities Council and Navaid Hamid of the Movement for the Empowerment of Muslim Indians said a free and fearless press was responsible for exposing the genocide in Gujarat and the Government's response seemed to "condone violence against the press''.

The statement said: "The Government's attitude will encourage hoodlums of the Sangh Parivar to attack at will media personnel and newspapers who they feel are either not toeing their line, or are reporting truths which are inconvenient to their political masters and the Government.''

It added that the biggest threat to a free press was an "intolerant government and political rulers who fear exposure at the hands of the press.''

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National