The arrest of the editor of an evening newspaper in Surat is condemnable. Manoj Shinde may be pro-Congress but the action can't be justified by any standards in this country.
The poor handling of the flood and the spread of diseases in its aftermath has angered the residents. The paper was exposing the 'failure' of the administration but the arrest of Manoj Shinde, is shocking.
The editor of Surat Samna, Shinde has been booked for anti-national activities, including "instigating people against a duly elected government" and defaming senior officials and executives, reports The Hindu. Journalists have rallied behind Shinde but the arrest has shown the government in poor light and once again exposed the contempt of Modi's government towards democracy, civil society and rule of law. When criticism of government is termed as anti-national and the state infringes on freedom of press, it is an ominous sign.
This is indeed deplorable. Media is supposed to be the watchdog and the govt cannot behave like this when it does not suit it. That apart, this is not like instigating communal riots.
ReplyDeleteMedia is the watchdog, but who is the watchdog for the media. Media has its share of creating stories, sensationalism, holding public trials etc, To consider media a gift from god is indeed ludicrous. Publics natural mistrust towards politicians, police etc does not give the media to bullshit whaterver they want to about them.
ReplyDeleteThe list of media hypocrisy is indeed vast. I believe c the Indian public will see it as time goes on.