Bring media attackers to book or face wrath: Scribes to HM

Accusing the Home Minister of being a mute spectator to attacks on the freedom of expression, despite being the Chairperson of the ‘Committee against Attacks on Journalists’, scribes affiliated to various unions on Monday stated that Ms Sabitha Indra Reddy was unfit for her job. The Journalists also warned that if no action was taken against those who attacked scribes or media offices, a state-wide agitation would be launched.

Earlier, condemning the attacks on Sakshi offices across the state following the ‘adverse’ report on the television channel against Congress president Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi, journalists in the state affiliated to various unions staged a dharna in front of Jawaharlal Nehru statue at Abids Centre.

Raising slogans against the Congress members for attacking the offices of Sakshi, the journalists under the aegis of Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation, Hyderabad Union of Journalists and Andhra Pradesh Electronic Journalists Association staged a sit-in dharna, demanding the arrest of leaders who are responsible for the attacks and demanded stringent action against the guilty for pelting stones at the media house’s offices.

Addressing the gathering, Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation president Shahabuddin Hashmi stated that the political parties should not link politics with journalism. He said the freedom of expression was under the threat due to linking of politics with journalists.

Warning that journalists would launch dharnas across the state condemning the attacks on Sakshi offices, Mr Hashmi asked journalists of all to unite and fight against attacks on newspaper offices and to protect the profession.

He demanded the government introduce an Act to deter attacks on journalists.   

Andhra Pradesh Working Journalists Federation general secretary Anjayenulu, Hyderabad Union of Journalists president Somaiah and Andhra Pradesh Electronic Journalists Association president led the dharna.

Earlier, YSR supporters staged a dharna in front of YSR statue at Punjagutta circle condemning the attack on Sakshi offices. After performing milk and curd abhishekam on the statue of YSR, the supporters raised `YSR Amar Rahe’ slogans.

They alleged that a section of congress leaders hatched a conspiracy to tarnish the image of Jaganmohan Reddy and his family members.