It had no intention of damaging the reputation of late Chief Minister MGR or Chief Minister Jayalalithaa
Nakkheeran magazine has expressed regret for carrying a controversial cover story that contained derogatory remarks about Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and was deemed offensive by the ruling All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK).
In its issue dated January 14-17, the biweekly published a note from its editor saying it had published the cover story “without any ulterior motive, in the innocent belief that the information contained in it was politically and ideologically in favour of the ruling party and its leadership”.
The magazine further said, “Nakkheeran had no intention of damaging the reputation of late Chief Minister MGR (M.G. Ramachandran) or Chief Minister Jayalalithaa.” Activists of the AIADMK had protested against the magazine by marching on its office here and pelting it with stones. Cases have also been registered against Nakkheeran.
The magazine said senior journalists, lawyers and political functionaries who were interested in the growth of Nakkheeran were of the view that the cover story need not have been carried.
“If our cover story had caused any anguish to the Chief Minister, her party members or anyone else, Nakkheeran expresses its heartfelt regret,” it said.
I am a Syrian Christian from Kerala, and my community eats beef and pork. We are considered as forward caste and our community has a legend that we are descendants of brahmins converted by the Apostle St. Thomas. This issue has been blown out of proportions.I am at this time reminded of Oscar Schindler a German Nazi who partied hard, boozed, and womanized. This man saved hundreds of Jews from the gas chambers by spending all he had earned as a war contractor for bribing the Nazis, while many pious kept silent and did nothing.What we eat does not in any way affect our character. It just goes out of our body. It is what comes from our mind that makes or breaks our character. This is the teaching of Lord Jesus Christ.
Even in this case how can he give evidence about what he printed is true. these yellow journalists go scot free with whatever they publish because normal people do not the time and energy to fight defamation cases in court. But Jayalalitha should seriously pursue this case and deliver maximum punishment to Nakkeeran Gopal. At least then these yellow journalists will stop such mud slinging.
Nakeeran Gopal should atleast now stop such publications. Let him knpw
that all peoples cannot be fooled all times. Hope he has learnt a lesson
!!
Nothing wrong in anybody eating beef or there is nothing wrong if somebody writes that he or she is eating beef. Journalism is a very dignified profession hope Nakeeran had shown some restraint before publishing this news item. And there is nothing to be said about the rowdyism exhibited by AIADMK cadres all political parties thrive on goondaism and wholesale corruption and AIADMK is no exception to it.
Just publishing a regret note will not do justice. A cover story has to be brought out once again and the editor has to explain in detail the circumstances that lead him to write such a controversial cover story. It will certainly be a nice gesture on the part of Mr. Nakkeeran Gopal and Mr. Nakkeeran Kamaraj to pay a visit to Ms. Jayalalithaa's office (provided she agrees to meet them) and render an apology to her. A photo of their meeting with her in the cover page of Nakkeeran magazine will do justice and settle this issue.
Nakkeeran magazine should also assure its readers that from now onwards it will adhere to journalistic ethics. Can Mr. Nakkeeran Gopal tell us of what he means by "in the innocent belief that the information contained in it was politically and ideologically in favour of the ruling party and its leadership”?
Unbelievable that such things are happening in our country.. Surely the journalist published it WITH ulterior motive and now they claim that they did not!!.. Such unethical practices should be strictly dealt with..In our country, a hungry child steals bread and ends up in jail.. On the other hand such people and some others who let tonnes of grains rot without distributing to the poor enjoy high lives.. Is it just?
Whether Ms Jayalalitha eats beef is no concern to us voters. She will be appreciated only if she performs well as our CM As our leader she should be allowed to eat what she wants. This the year 2012 A.D. and not 2012 B.C! Catholics, Muslims have no hang ups about eating beef. My Hindu friends prefer beef to mutton and they are normal, happy hardworking people. Too bad our leader has staff who take the law in their own hands over a newspaper announcement. The right thing would have been to file a case against the editor of Nakeekkaran and take him to court saying this remark derogated their leader in their community. We want gentlemen running our State, not Hoodlums. Ms. Jayalalitha a well poised lady would do well to get on board people who are less violent in nature and more prone to carrying out their duties in accordance with state laws. Having said that, it was STUPID of the editor to make the remark. What has the Act of eating beef got to do with good governance???
Judiciary have drawn lakshman rekha for the person who masquerade as journalist, the coveted position they hold not to seek personal vendettta.
They have a big role to play not to promote malicious campaign against individual's personal choice. Political patronage is also one of the cause for ruining journalist ethics.
Al last wiser counsel prevailed on Nakeeran. Still, why the sudden about turn on the part of Nakeeran is intriguing.I think, even now, legal proceedings are the best soloution, so that the yellow journalism does not raise its ugly head again.I also hope, Nakeeran Gopal and Kamaraj personally visit CM's office to tender apology and
publish it for public .
It has done it because the court wanted not by its own. But if it thinks its wrong a mere apology is not enough -- a hefty fine and confinement will enable a sensible reporting in future and no personal mudslinging news items.
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