THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan came out with a resolute stand on the freedom of mediapersons rather late in the day. The detention of TV news channel crew at Kozhikode Town police station and the widespread protests from mediapersons left the chief minister with no other option but to act tough against the cops. As pressure mounted on him, the chief minister who earlier in the day had refused to react on the issue, gave the go ahead to suspend the sub inspector in the face angry protests from journalists.
Had his statement on Saturday which categorically asked the cops not to prevent mediapersons from discharging their professional duties in courts, came about 10 days ago, a series of violent incidents involving the mediapersons, lawyers and policemen that happened during this period could have been avoided. The chief minister has warned the police against creating any obstacle to the freedom of mediapersons from entering court premises.
“Since the issue concerns the courts, the government has its own limitations. But in a democratic system one cannot avoid the media and this is something which the courts should decide,” he said. Pinarayi has now stated in no uncertain terms that the police should not create any obstruction to media persons in any form. If anyone attempts to do that it would not be allowed.
It is felt that with the chief minister making strong statement, it should sound a warning to those trying to prevent the media from discharging their professional responsibilities. Many feel that the chief minister’s response, be it on M.K. Damodaran issue or the lawyer-media persons clash at High Court, was delayed and came only after the damage had been done.
