In the name of Press Freedom?

BY B Jayashree| IN Media Freedom | 22/05/2007

B Jayashree

The recent death of three persons in a newspaper office in Madurai has resulted in a  huge outcry in the name of press freedom from politicians and press persons alike. The three dead persons, two of whom were young computer engineers, worked for the Maran family owned publication ?Dinakaran? that has been known for its aggressive marketing strategy and for being the vociferous ?mainstream? newspaper of the DMK. The three were among other employees caught in the middle of an attack on their office, when a large number of prominent DMK functionaries including the Madurai Mayor openly attacked the office to express their outrage over a survey of their leader¿s popularity.

That the Dinakaran published 70% popularity as per a survey, for Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, M Karunanidhi¿s son Stalin as next chief minister was not the actual cause of Madurai¿s and the CM¿s subsequent ire. It was the timing of the publication, as well as of the fact that it caused deep injury to his older son and to a virtual chieftain of Madurai, Alagiri. In his stronghold, where he is the virtual power and nothing really important moves without his knowledge, Alagiri was shown as having a measly 2% popularity.

The debate is not about the truth of these surveys or about the motive of publication. Neither is it about the credibility of ?Dinakaran? or for that matter the ?Sun News?, ?Tamil Murasu? or ?Kungumam? - the television, evening paper and weekly that the Maran family owns and runs. These media organs have openly projected a pro-DMK profile and contributed to winning elections too using aggressive strategies.

The purpose of this piece is to defend the concept of so-called ?Press Freedom?. The three employees, who were the victims of a ?murderous? attack as per the FIR, were just earning their monthly wages. They were not even journalists, and had no idea perhaps that they were risking their lives in trying to save office property, property that could have been bought several thousand times over by the owners. Strangely, they have been martyred in the name of press freedom.

In a state where the AIADMK¿s Jaya TV or the PMK¿s Makkal TV try hard to compete, the Maran¿s have shown they are far ahead in being successful businessmen even if politics helps, or the business helps politics. If anything, this family empire is the most successful and most ?free? press that the state can see.

Soon after the attack, the media naturally made headlines of Dayanidhi Maran quitting the ministry. It¿s the manner in which other issues were glossed over that was striking.

A DMK high-level meeting authorized the sacking of Maran, wished Karunanidhi on his completion of 50 years as a legislator and condoled the death of the three persons, all in a day¿s work - all during one meeting. Strangely, the meeting made no mention of the DMK cadres who had openly indulged in arson, burning the Dinakaran office, hurling petrol bombs and breaking the property. It did not mention the police who were present well in advance of the attack and who stood by watching, saying they were ?overpowered?. (By what?) It did not mention the name of Karunanidhi¿s elder son Alagiri who was neither named nor considered a part of this crime. It did not talk about any party action against open goondaism of cadres. One critic recalled the Dharmapuri bus burning by the AIADMK where again there were three innocent victims. That incident had been used to fullest advantage by the Sun network to help in the elections. Such critics were hardly heard in the din of media and politicians - and of celebrations.

Within 48 hours of the ?Madurai murders?, Chennai was decked out in colorful display of thousands of streamers, hoardings, the auspicious banana shoots. The timing of the ?celebrations? for Karunanidhi¿s completion of 50 years as a legislator, it was explained, was chosen in spite of the Chief Minister¿s reluctance. Busloads of cadres put their shame of Madurai behind them to converge on this important occasion. Sun TV was left out of the game, interviews and live telecast cancelled. This was quite a strange scenario, as due to quiet stifling efforts by this very party, other Tamil TV news programs have mostly gone off the news scene. Only the struggling ?Raj TV? cashed in on this occasion with ?exclusive? live and considerably lower quality coverage of the event where the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and other leaders were present.

Usually seen guiding Karunanidhi onto the dais or translating eagerly for Sonia, Dayanidhi Maran was nowhere to be seen during this gala function. The DMK had made its displeasure towards the Marans obvious through its actions, and the sacking would be only a matter of routine now. However, the man whose name was shouted loud during Dinakaran attacks, Alagiri, was seen among the DMK leaders during the same function.

A couple of days later, after the state government had already ordered a CBI enquiry, a group of presspersons attempted to take out a rally, and courted arrest. Slogans of press freedom rent the air. Their interviews and visuals were visible on most TV channels (other than Sun). For what? If it was for the freedom of the most successful media family, then the group of press persons who endured the scorching heat may remember that the same family has survived Jayalalitha¿s two regimes of relentless pursuit and only emerged stronger and wealthier. While some played conveniently into an Opposition line, many of the same press persons had taken out rallies during the Jayalalitha regime also. In the swing of emotions by a few who took advantage, gullible media persons were also found to support these shouts. They may have saved tears and sweat for something better. There was nothing that press freedom or the media in general gained on that day.

However, there were issues that the press as the voice of the public and every other right thinking member of society should have raised, and should bring up till they are heard.

The publication of the survey in spite of Karunanidhi¿s warning was nothing more than an overestimation by the Marans of their strength within the party and the polity. The attack on Dinakaran was nothing more than the ugly washing of the first family¿s dirty linen in public. The tragic and unnecessary deaths were a result of an administrative lapse and inaction by the supporting framework of the police. The police force stationed at the Dinakaran premises even before the attack, was waiting for instructions from the Chief Minister, obviously as his son and party cadres were involved. The instructions came only after three people died.

If as a right thinking section of society, the media wants to raise these issues, they may go right ahead, but while doing so, I hope they will not unnecessarily confuse with them with the concept of Press Freedom, and reserve the last for something more worthy.