Mahinda Rajapaksa's interview: Reporters Guild condemns threat to press freedom

CHENNAI: The Madras Reporters Guild today condemned the veiled threats issued by certain political leaders in Tamil Nadu, who were opposed to a private news channel broadcasting the interview of Sri Lankan president Mahinda Rajapaksa scheduled tonight.

Referring to the statements made by VCK leader Thirumavalavan and MDMK leader Vaiko, the Guild said in a statement said "The statements issued by these two leaders are a direct affront to the concept of freedom of the press, and a crude attempt to muzzle and choke the press, even threatening physical attacks against the office and crew of the channel. Such attacks against the press go against the very canons of freedom of speech and freedom of the press."

It also observed that leaders can give their own views on the interview after the event and were entitled to criticise anyone as long as they confine themselves to the laws of the land and respect the right of other individuals to exercise freedom of speech under rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

Citing that media organisations carrying interviews of organisations like the LTTE, which was banned in India, it said, press organisations are entitled to carry Rajapaksa's views through interviews or press statements.

It also urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide adequate protection to the offices of the news channel and to also ensure that their crew can discharge their duties without fear or favour.

Chennai Press Club in a statement said, "In democracy, everyone has the right to criticize and welcome the content from the press. At the same time, we think that interfering in the functioning of the press is not good for democracy. Let us confront opinions with opinions only. Expressing opposition through democratically accepted ways can only be the right way of expressing it."

"Incidents like these would set a bad precedent in the future. So, protecting the expression of freedom is everyone's duty," Chennai Press Club Joint Secretary Bharathi Thamizhan said.