Coimbatore : Members of the media met at the Coimbatore Press Club today to condemn Inspector David Rajan's blatant threat and attack on Ramkumar, a NEWS 18 reporter during an event in Madurai.
Coimbatore : Members of the media met at the Coimbatore Press Club today to condemn Inspector David Rajan's blatant threat and attack on Ramkumar, a NEWS 18 reporter during an event in Madurai.
"Inspector David Rajan tried to attack NEWS 18 reporter, Ramkumar who was on duty to report news of the Chief Minister's campaign for the Tiruparankundram by-election. It is reported that Inspector David Rajan also threatened reporters Stalin and Navaneethakrishnan by scolding them and threatening to file a case against them when they tried to explain their nature of work.
"We cannot accept such words from a police officer. David Rajan has a previous history of violating orders of higher officials and filing a case against reporters during his tenure at the Pettipuram police station. He was then transferred after the Court and Government intervened. This is the reason for him being egotistic in assuming that he has all the power to do anything. His act of using power by threatening and attacking the media and its members is dangerous. If this is the situation for the media which is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, what about the common man? We feel sad when we think about how a common man will get justice from this officer," complained the media members at the Coimbatore Press Club.
"On behalf of the Coimbatore Press Club, we request the Tamil Nadu Government and the Police Department to take proper action against Inspector David Rajan for interrupting a reporter’s job, threatening and attacking him. We condemn this act and insist that the Police Department ensure such incidents do not happen in the future," they urged.
A similar incident occurred yesterday during a press meet at the Zonal IGP office where a person who claimed himself to be a member of the students' organization did not allow reporters to raise questions. He threatened to attack the media members. This was also raised at the Coimbatore Press Club meet and condemned. "The Indian Constitution Act has given journalists the right to question anyone, to bring out the truth. The Coimbatore Press Club reminds everyone again that any individual or any organization cannot snatch our rights. These kind of incidents are an indicator that a law protecting journalism in this country is necessary. The Coimbatore Press Club requests the Government to consider this matter, at least after the elections," reiterated members of the media.
"Inspector David Rajan tried to attack NEWS 18 reporter, Ramkumar who was on duty to report news of the Chief Minister's campaign for the Tiruparankundram by-election. It is reported that Inspector David Rajan also threatened reporters Stalin and Navaneethakrishnan by scolding them and threatening to file a case against them when they tried to explain their nature of work.
"We cannot accept such words from a police officer. David Rajan has a previous history of violating orders of higher officials and filing a case against reporters during his tenure at the Pettipuram police station. He was then transferred after the Court and Government intervened. This is the reason for him being egotistic in assuming that he has all the power to do anything. His act of using power by threatening and attacking the media and its members is dangerous. If this is the situation for the media which is considered as the fourth pillar of democracy, what about the common man? We feel sad when we think about how a common man will get justice from this officer," complained the media members at the Coimbatore Press Club.
"On behalf of the Coimbatore Press Club, we request the Tamil Nadu Government and the Police Department to take proper action against Inspector David Rajan for interrupting a reporter’s job, threatening and attacking him. We condemn this act and insist that the Police Department ensure such incidents do not happen in the future," they urged.
A similar incident occurred yesterday during a press meet at the Zonal IGP office where a person who claimed himself to be a member of the students' organization did not allow reporters to raise questions. He threatened to attack the media members. This was also raised at the Coimbatore Press Club meet and condemned. "The Indian Constitution Act has given journalists the right to question anyone, to bring out the truth. The Coimbatore Press Club reminds everyone again that any individual or any organization cannot snatch our rights. These kind of incidents are an indicator that a law protecting journalism in this country is necessary. The Coimbatore Press Club requests the Government to consider this matter, at least after the elections," reiterated members of the media.