The journalists in the State seem to be confronting a State sponsored attack for quite sometimes now. Perhaps, the ruling satrap is in an action mode as journalists are digging many sensitive affairs," said retired Justice Manas Ranjan Mishra addressing the journalists, writers and poets here on Monday
For last one year, hundreds of cases have occurred where many media personnel have been an easy prey with some even losing their valuable lives. And many have to run to courts accused in crimes, he added. Joining as chief guest of ‘The Media’, a Puri based forum for working journalists and writers, the former Sessions Judge gave the instance of Pritish Nandi Vs Janakibalabh Patnaik in ‘The Illustrated Weekly’ case.
He told that it is dangerous trend that journalists are found backtracking from bringing a truth to light because of fear from the establishment. Invited as chief speaker, Utkal Sambadika Sangh’s State president Bibhuti Bhusan Kar expressed concerns over rising atrocities on journalists and criticised the Government for not approving to Centre for making laws. Boasting his demand of pension to journalists at sixty years of age, Kar said, the Odisha Government here was silent whereas eight States have already sent approvals to Centre for laws on safety of mediapersons.
Chairman of Odia Bhasha Pratistan, Prof Haraprasad Mishra stressed the need of united efforts by journalists while facing injustice. The only reason of victimisation is that they are divided and opposed to each other. Prof Abhimanyu Bhuyan, Prof Kartik Kumar Das, Dr Balaram Dash, researcher Madanmohan Mahapatra, lawyer Puskar Mohapatra, Gopal Panda, Ratikant Pratihari, Pratibha Tripathy and Tirthesh Ray argued in favour of a protection mechanism for the journalists.
Forum’s chairman Saroj Kumar Mishra gave his welcome address to invitees while its State president Laxminarayan Patnaik chaired the meeting.
Journalist Baba Lalatendu Keshari placed a demand of financial support by Government to small newspapers and periodicals of the State. Among others, journalists Bijay Patnaik, Biswajit Patnaik, Jupiter Das, Pradip Nayak, Nrusingha Mohanty and Satyajit Das spoke.
