BJP asks government to review UNI takeover bid

New Delhi, Sep 28: Extending the BJP's support in maintaining the unbiased and neutral character of the United News of India (UNI), former Information and Broadcasting Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad today asked the government to look into the deal involving sale of major stake of the company to a media house.

''Such a deal involving UNI which has always maintained its objective and impartial character must have prior sanction and approval by the government,'' Mr Prasad said.

Indeed a prior sanction and approval of the government should have been taken as it involved the larger issue of the freedom and social and political commitment of the Press, he said, adding that it should be an issue of concern for the government.

''We have rendered our complete support to the UNI employees as the news agency is registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, which cannot be treated in the same manner as a private company or a commercial venture,'' the former minister said.

Addressing UNI employees at the agency's headquarters, Mr Prasad said the party would stand shoulder to shoulder in the fight against a private media player taking majority stakes in the news agency.

''We are supporting the UNI employees' agitation because it is not a partisan political issue, but a cause of national importance. Our leader and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee has already written in this regard to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh,'' he said.

Recalling his association with the Jai Prakash Narayan-led movement, he said some fearless and intrepid journalists from the UNI and the PTI managed to put out news despite severe restrictions on the press.

Mr Prasad said the interests of the employees must gain primacy with the government.

''While investments in the media are necessary, it must be ensured that the basic content and character of news should not be distorted,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) has decided to give an impetus to the struggle of the UNI employees by launching a major action programme.

DUJ President S K Pande said his organisation had set up a Joint Solidarity Committee to finalise the modalities of the action plan.

UNI

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