Following the beating up of media personnel on Monday outside Patiala Court House premises by a group of lawyers, journalists gathered at the Press Club of India and marched to the Supreme Court in a show of solidarity. Even when this entire event was unfolding, the police is alleged to have taken no action the lawyers involved in the incident.
In talks with Madhu Trehan, Editor-In-Chief of Newslaundry, NDTV star anchor Ravish Kumar, expressed his deepest disappointment in the way certain sections of the media are not only stifling freedom of speech but also polarizing the audience about the JNU crackdown.
It’s a dangerous situation right now. How will a common man feel safe when media is manhandled and beaten up in court premises? You cannot threaten the media. A journalist has to be fearless. The citizen gets empowered watching us take on the establishment.Ravish Kumar, NDTV Anchor
Without naming anyone in particular but pointing out to Times Now Newshour debate anchor Arnab Gowswami, he said that the anchors do not have the right to label anyone anti-Indian.
If anchors resort to stifling freedom of speech, then people should stop watching debates on TV. These are the same anchors who pick up the most frivolous of issues and ignore the ones that truly affect the common man.Ravish Kumar, NDTV Anchor
He ripped the hot-shot debate anchors for using the “us VS them” debate format, saying it was detrimental.
When was the last time such anchors visited places where people are dying of thirst and hunger? Wearing a suit & getting a camera & prime time slot doesn’t mean you can say anything you want.Ravish Kumar, NDTV Anchor
See the full interview here.
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