Journeys to democracy

The cold blooded murder of freelance journalist, Hem Chandra Pandey, on July 2 in an armed ‘encounter’ in Andhra Pradesh in which police eliminated a leader of the banned Communist Party of India (Maoist), has caused widespread outrage. See IFJ’s press release here, and UNESCO’s condemnation here. Below, open invitation for a seminar on “Role of Journalists in Undeclared Emergency”, July 20, in New Delhi

Forwarded by senior journalist Amit Sengupta with the note: “A lot of young journalists from across the hindi, English and other media have organised this. pls attend this crucial meet and pass on the information. more so, because this has been organised by young journalists not affliated to any grouping, who are independent, sensitive and very angry at the state of affairs.”

From: Journalists for People <journalistsforpeople@gmail.com>
Subject: Invite for open discussion on “Role of Journalists in Undeclared Emergency”
Date: Saturday, July 17, 2010, 5:40 PM

Dear All,

The fake encounter of a freelance journalist Hem Chandra Pandey alias Hemant Pandey has clearly exposed that Indian journalists are working in an undeclared emergency situation. United Nation’s premier agency UNESCO has demanded probe into the circumstances in which the scribe was killed. IFJ, PCI, civil society organisations and various journalist unions including Uttarakhand political leaders across the party line have condemned this killing in cold blood. Although the Union Home Minister has denied the probe demand, that was put forward by Swami Agniwesh on behalf of the civil society at large.

Situation seems to have worsened taking into account the fresh attack on TV Today by Hindutva goons. Now the Indian journalists are facing two pronged threats – one from the Indian State itself and other from fanatic violent groups operating as a parallel force in this country. And unfortunately, corporate media groups are engaged in disowning their own journalists under the state’s pressure, as has been in Hemant Pandey’s case where Hindi dailies like Nai Dunia, Dainik Jagran and Rashtriya Sahara openly and immediately published disclaimer that he was not associated with these publications in any form.

This is certainly a case of undeclared emergency. So it seems inevitable to raise the question: What ahead?

Journalists For People, an informal and open forum of working journalists calls for a thoughtful debate on these and other related issues. You are cordially invited to an open session on the topic:

Role of Journalists in Undeclared Emergency
Date: July 20, 2010, Tuesday
Time: 5.30 – 8.30 p.m.
Venue: Gandhi Peace Foundation, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg, Near ITO, New Delhi-2

After the open session, a lecture series will be formally announced in memory of slained journalist Hem Chandra Pandey each year on July 2nd, the day he was killed.

The meeting will end with a motion declared against those Hindi dailies who have disowned Pandey.

Please participate in large numbers.

For queries, please contact:
Ajay (9910820506)
Vishwadeepak(9910540055)

On behalf of
Journalists for People

Filed under: Media |