KUWJ asks CM for details on 'media-syndicate'

Kozhikode, Mar 13 (UNI) The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) today urged Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan to come out with details about the alleged existence of a CIA-backed ''media-syndicate'' in the state.

''If a CIA-backed media syndicate existed, the government should, without further delay, come out with details, instead of creating a smoke-screen on the issue, KUWJ President C Gauridasan Nair and General Secretary N Padmanabhan said in a letter addressed to Mr Achuthanandan.

They were referring to the Chief Minister's statement in the Assembly yesterday that the government was aware of the alleged existence of CIA-backed media-syndicate in the state but could not devulge details as the issue was connected to international relations.

Saying the statement was continuation of a propaganda campaign by certain CPI (M) leaders against the media as a whole, they demanded the government to initiate legal action if any journalist was found guilty of involvement with the American spy agency.

Describing the demand for a probe into the assets of media persons by certain quarters as strange, they said investigation should also be conducted into the wealth amassed by the public servants in the state as well.

UNI