Goa scribes withdraw agitation after Parrikar expresses regret

, Mar 4:

Chief Minister

today expressed "regret" over his statements made in context of the media, following which state's apex journalist body, Goa Union of Journalists (GUJ), withdrew its agitation.

The journalists were wearing black badges and wrist bands to protest Parrikar's statement during the ongoing state Legislative Assembly session.

"I did not mean to demean anyone nor was it my intention to cast aspersions on any person leave alone media person. However, I express my regret if the incident has hurt anyone's feelings," the chief minister has said in his letter today to GUJ president Kishor Naik Gaonkar.

The GUJ members had met Parrikar yesterday informing him about their protest. "I am surprised to understand from our meeting held today (yesterday) and your email that I have cast aspersions on media persons, which is indeed quite unfortunate," the letter reads.

"In order to place the facts in their proper perspective,the so called statement attributed to me was made while speaking during blood donation camp," the CM said. After applauding the organisers for their noble project and narrating a personal experience, I was talking about the need to disseminate information properly so that there is no room for misconceptions, he explained. "While talking on these lines I did mention that reports published in the newspapers are of the reporters – who are usually graduates and common man...," Parrikar said.

Addressing a function last month, he had reportedly commented: "What is a reporter's salary? How much does a news reader earn? Maybe Rs 25,000. They are mostly graduates. They are not great thinkers...intellectuals. They write news how they understand it." GUJ president Kishor Naik Gaonkar told PTI that the union was satisfied with the chief minister's letter and hence withdrew the agitation, which began since yesterday.

PTI