Emergency days recalled: scribes call for constant vigil

New Delhi, Jun 26 (UNI) Recalling the dark days of Emergency, veteran journalists today criticised attempts to muzzle the Fourth Estate and the reign of terror let loose by the state to silence the voice of dissent.

At a function to mark the 31st anniversary of the imposition of Emergency, stalwarts like Kuldip Nayar, E Narayanan, Nikhil Chakravorty, N D Gorawala, V Balasubramaniam, among others who refused to 'kowtow' to the repressive State machinery were remembered with gratitude.

Some of them had chosen to close down their publications rather than comprise on 'Press Freedom', a Delhi Union of Journalists statement said.

Sounding a note of warning and the need for constant vigil, the journos spoke of subsequent attempts like the Bihar Press Bill, adding that the authorities reversed their decision only in the face of mighty movements of mediapersons.

In the present scenario, apart from the state repression, they talked about the new curbs on the freedom of the Press in the post-globalisation era, like employment of journalists on contract which severely curtailed the freedom of expression.

UNI IP MA RS2109