Journalists stage protest march to Parliament

New Delhi, Apr 26 (UNI) Nearly 250 journalists and members of civil society groups in the capital today took out a march to Parliament protesting the sale of majority stake in UNI to a business house.

The march, which began from the UNI Head office, was stopped by police outside Shram Shakti Bhavan, where the demonstrators courted arrest. They were, however, released later.

Journalist organisations which took part in the march included the Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ), PTI Employees Federation and National Union of Journalists. Several NGOs took part in the protest. ABVP, the students wing of BJP, Lok Raj Sangathan, AITUC and 'Friends of UNI' also participated in the event.

The main demands of the protesters included a CBI enquiry into the deal and non-interference in the affairs of the news agency until court cases in the matter are decided.

Mr Ali Anwar, Rajya Sabha MP, warned the media against corporate control and said the issue will rock Parliament again and again if the government failed to act in the matter.

CPI-M General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leader AB Bardhan and social activist Medha Patkar sent messages of support to the protestors.

UNI