Jammu: Welcoming the end of the stand-off
between media fraternity and Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, BJP Thursday appealed to the ruling NC-Congress coalition to be more discreet in
dealing with journalists.
"We welcome the end of the two-day stand off between the
media fraternity and Lone. We appeal to NC-Congress alliance
to be more discreet in dealing with media persons,
particularly at a time when every other institution in JK has
suffered an erosion of credibility, leaving the media as the
last saving grace for preserving the values of democracy,
freedom and justice," state BJP spokesperson Jitendra Singh
told reporters here.
Angry over Lone`s remark in February 27 that "media was
under his control", scribes boycotted proceedings of the Jammu
and Kashmir Assembly for two consecutive days. The protest
ended yesterday after the Speaker clarified his remark.
"I never meant to hurt the media. My words were
misunderstood," Lone had said.
He said while the media is under obligation to maintain
its purity and impartiality, it is also the duty of society in
general and the political class in particular, to help media
discharge their responsibilities in a fair manner.
Singh said we should not forget that it is purely because
of media that the nation could get to know and judiciary could
initiate action in cases such as 2G scam at national level and
as a host of scams in the state, including the reported
misappropriation and corruption in health department.
PTI
