Journo groups slam alleged violence against Tamil daily

Journalist groups have condemned the reported attack on the owner of a Tamil daily and its editor-in-chief by a group of MIC Youth members.

Gerakan Media Merdeka (Geramm) and Institute of Journalists Malaysia (IOJ) said physical violence against news agencies should not be tolerated.

"Any dissatisfaction should be raised through the proper channels, exercising the right to respond or via existing legal means," Geramm said in a statement.

"It should also be pointed out that the media has a duty in a democracy to carry out our duties unhindered and without fear for any parties.

"Pressure from political parties on the media, particularly if involving physical violence, is completely unacceptable," Geramm added.

The MIC Youth members had gathered yesterday to protest certain reports by Tamil Malar, which they claimed to be "pro-opposition".

In the incident, journalist C Christ claimed that the newspaper's owner OMS Thiagaran and chief executive editor Saraswathy Kandasamy were assaulted and injured.

Also at the scene was Deputy Youth and Sports Minister M Saravanan (photo), who on his part denied that such an incident occurred.

In a statement, Ipoh Barat MP M Kulasegaran claimed that the incident was triggered by unhappiness over Tamil Malar's expose of allegations that implicated Saravanan and the MIC Federal Territories Youth chief.

Geramm said the media is not the enemy of any political party nor a partner that can be bought or bullied.

"We urge all our friends from the Tamil and Chinese vernacular press to unite in solidarity against individuals or parties out to use the media for their own benefit."

Such incidents of assault against the media should not be allowed to continue happening without attention or investigation by the relevant authorities, it added.

Meanwhile, IOJ said any form of assault upon media members should not be tolerated by all stakeholders, including the authorities.

A culture of physical intimidation towards journalists should not be allowed to manifest in Malaysia, it added in a statement.

"IOJ reiterates that any form of dissatisfaction with news reports should be raised by writing to the organisation or by taking legal action if necessary."

State action against publications or journalists, and also any form of verbal or physical assault only serves to further erode our press freedom, it added. - Mkini