The State IPS Association on Thursday said that while The Hindu had a long and established tradition of practising highly responsible journalism, the alleged slant in the news report of DGP V. Dinesh Reddy’s visit to ‘godman’ Habib Mustafa Idrus Baba had easily lent itself to interpretation as censure or ridicule for the visit.
In a press release, the Executive Committee of the association said the controversy could have been avoided had the report not said that Mr. Reddy carried some ‘files’ when he went to meet the ‘godman’.
This, Association Secretary M. Malakondiah said, could have been avoided as it was neither vital in any respect nor did it serve public interest. Such reporting, he added, should be avoided so that respect for the senior-most police officer does not diminish in the eyes of police personnel or the public.
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