CPI-ML (Liberation) seeks Kalam's intervention in UNI sale

New Delhi, Nov 16 (UNI) Communist Party of India-ML (Liberation) has written to President APJ Abdul Kalam to intervene in the sale of majority stake in the United News of India (UNI) to a media group.

In a letter to Dr Kalam, party general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya said the sale would have ''very disturbing'' implications for press freedom so crucial to a democracy.

The takeover bid is being viewed by UNI employees, journalists and citizens of the country as a ''predatory corporate move to grab the land and other assets held by the news agency,'' Mr Bhattacharya said in the letter.

He said the Kuldip Nayar Committee on the functioning of news agencies had made out a strong case to safeguard the objectivity and independence of the news service, ''if necessary by an appropriate Act of Parliament''.

''The employees and journalists of UNI have already raised their legitimate voice of protest against the sinister takeover bid,'' he said.

''In the interest of democracy and freedom of press, may I request your urgent and appropriate intervention in the matter so that UNI can be saved from the clutches of corporate power,'' Mr Bhattacharya said.

UNI FZ RP RK1450