Journalists here held a demonstration on Tuesday to condemn the announcement made by an organisation that it would gherao the office of the Vikatan Group for publishing a news item in ‘Junior Vikatan,' a bi-weekly magazine.
They also expressed concern over posters put up in many parts of Madurai mentioning the names of journalists and anonymous calls to office threatening them.
“We strongly condemn the anti-democratic acts of these organisations,” said a resolution adopted at the meeting of journalists held at Chennai Press Club. Recalling the advertisement released by the Tamil Nadu Illathu Pillaimar Manila Sangham in a Tamil daily, threatening to challenge the law and order situation, K. Ashokan, Editor of ‘Junior Vikatan,' said it was not only against the spirit of the Constitution and freedom of expression, but also a threat to all journalists.
The management of the Vikatan Group had made a representation to the Director General of Police and the City Police Commissioner seeking protection for the office and journalists.
Through another resolution, the journalists decided to approach the Madras High Court seeking protection.
Besides making a representation to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, the journalists also decided to bring the issue to the notice of leaders of all political parties, the Press Council of India and journalists bodies across the country.
Another resolution demanded withdrawal of all cases against journalists.
