Spiga

Shoddy Intimidation

A blogger Chyetanya Kunte has delivered an unconditional apology on his blog to NDTV and Barkha Dutt for criticizing their coverage of the Mumbai attacks and quoting Wikipedia on their role during the Kargil conflict.

However, just a glance at the post [Google Cache] should convince any right thinking individual that the blogger never intended to defame the said media house, but was merely giving an opinion. And how much does the opinion of a single individual even matter to such a revered corporate entity? In truth, not much. Blogs have a lesser reach, inarguably.

In fact, that is what makes this case even more outrageous. To silence a person who is plainly excercising his fundamental right and offering views of what he felt during the time is unconstitutional. What use is the Constitution if the flag bearers of one of the enlisted rights do not respect opinion - praise, criticism alike - driven at them?

Read others: Retributions, Vimoh's Open Letter to NDTV, Shripriya, Prem Panicker, DesiPundit







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13 comments:

  i am what i am

Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 4:38:00 AM PST

these are the very people, these media houses who shouted themselves hoarse when the government was goin to put a gag on them. arent they ashamed of themselves of doing something they were so vocally against???? have they forgotten that we live in a free society and freedom to speech is our fundamental right? well all i can say is shame on prannoy roy, one of the most respected names of electronic media to back barkha dutt on this!!!!!

  Unknown

Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 4:47:00 AM PST

I do agree to the views of blog. If Media has rights to express their views so is each citizen of India

  Vee

Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 5:48:00 AM PST

What the Eff? I don't believe this is happening. I too have written posts on Barkha and others and I am not at all apologetic about that.

  Vinod_Sharma

Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 8:05:00 AM PST

I have noticed for long that those who shout for freedom the most to shout down others, are just not ready to grant that same freedom to others to shout them down. Sad that things have come to this pass.

  Anonymous

Thursday, January 29, 2009 at 10:01:00 PM PST

I know this guys through a friend, asked me to write a piece. Will use your data.

  aShyCarnalKid

Friday, January 30, 2009 at 1:55:00 AM PST

Does that mean that we cannot express ourselves freely on our blogs ? The internet is the last bastion of free speech !

  Mampi

Friday, January 30, 2009 at 7:26:00 AM PST

Sad thing to have happened.

  Anonymous

Friday, January 30, 2009 at 8:50:00 AM PST

I don't agree with you there trail where you say that blogs have a lesser reach. Infact, the blogger being forced to speak up aginst his own views is in itself a great indicator of the power of blogs! But it is really a sad thing to have happened.

  Anonymous

Friday, January 30, 2009 at 3:38:00 PM PST

I wrote about the same 2 days back.

Now media is going to regulate blogs and who is going to regulate them? Hypocrisy!

  Anonymous

Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 12:06:00 AM PST

OmG! Don't you think there is some inside story in here? Scores of bloggers criticised the media for their role and coverage. Why has only Ckunte apologised?

I don't really understand why and under what pressure did he apologise? I don't think there is any legal suit possible on him.

  Anonymous

Saturday, January 31, 2009 at 11:46:00 PM PST

Its another form of Talibanism!

  Mama - Mia

Monday, February 2, 2009 at 1:27:00 AM PST

who will guard the guardians, eh?!

  Jay

Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 12:08:00 AM PST


@I am what I am
Shame, indeed.

@Pangala Nagendra Rao
Yes.

@Oxy
Be careful. You might be next. :-)

@Vinod Sharma
Sad, indeed.

@Chirag
Please do.

@Kislay
Yes, the internet is the spirit of democracy.

@Mampi
Yes.

@Mithe
Well, I wasn't giving my point of view. Even I believe blogs can make an impact. But the truth, sadly, is different. Of all the things you can list that make an impact, blogs would feature last.

@Solilo
Hypocrisy is the word.

@Rakesh
Yes. NDTV's decision to single out one blogger is baffling.

His comments could possibly be libelous.

@Amit
Yes. And the ones who scream and shout Talibanism in India are engaging in it.

@Mama-Mia
The reporter became the reported.