“ Free Fall: On TN Govt’s Attack On Press Freedom”
Any which way one looks at the Puthiya Thalaimurai case, one conclusion is inescapable: it is a direct attack on press freedom. That the Tamil Nadu government could have slapped a case against the Tamil news channel under Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code (pertaining to promoting enmity between groups), and other sections of the law, would be laughable if it wasn’t so unspeakably appalling. The cause for the action was certain remarks made by a couple of the TV channel’s guests who had participated in a roundtable discussion on current affairs before an invited audience. Although it was a right-wing section of the audience that was disruptive, first information reports (FIRs) were filed against the two guests — who, from all accounts, said nothing that wasinflammatory — as well as the reporter and management of Puthiya Thalaimurai. All the more shocking is the fact that this was done even before the roundtable discussion on the role of protests was aired. Any debate in Tamil Nadu on whether protests such as the protracted and heated anti-Sterlite agitation are politicised is bound to evoke radically divergent views. But it is extraordinary that people have been booked for either hosting such a debate or merely expressing their views in it. If proof was needed that the Tamil Nadu government was acting in a vindictiveway, it was provided by another, and even more insidious, attempt to intimidate Puthiya Thalaimurai. On the State government-owned distribution network, the Arasu Cable TV Corporation, the news channel was suddenly pushed from the 124th to the 499th slot, removed in some places from the Tamil cluster of channels and regrouped with those in other languages. As for those subscribers who are linked to Arasu via analogue, the channel has become simply unavailable in many areas. Around 60% of the 1.5 crore homes that have cable television are serviced by Arasu, which was set up to link homes to television through multi-system operators and local cable operators at an affordable cost. As Arasu has grown in influence, private players no longer enjoy the patronage that they did earlier. Lately, there have been apprehensions that the State government is using its domination of the distribution space to bring news coverage by TV channels in line. There have been allegations that access to a couple of other news channels were disrupted as well; some have found themselves pushed back in the slots allotted by the Arasu network. This is why many in the media have been led to believe that the rationale or purpose for coming down on Puthiya Thalaimurai with such a heavy hand is to send a larger message to the rest of the media. The only way the Tamil Nadu government can prove they are wrong is by withdrawing the FIRs registered in this case.
WORDS AND MEANINGS –
1) Inescapable
Meaning: Unable to be avoided or denied.
Example: “Political reform was inescapable”
Synonyms: Unavoidable, Inevitable.
2) Slapped
Meaning: Impose a fine or other penalty on.
Example: “The government had slapped an embargo on imports”
Synonyms: Impose, Levy.
3) Pertaining
Meaning: Be in effect or existence in a specified place or at a specified time.
Example: “Their economic circumstances are vastly different from those which pertained in their land of origin”
Synonyms: Exist, Be the order of the day.
4) Appalling
Meaning: Causing shock or dismay; horrific.
Example: “The cat suffered appalling injuries during the attack”
Synonyms: Shocking, Horrific.
5) Disruptive
Meaning: Interrupt (an event, activity, or process) by causing a disturbance or problem.
Example: “Flooding disrupted rail services”
Synonyms: Throw into confusion, Throw into disorder.
6) Inflammatory
Meaning: (Especially of speech or writing) arousing or intended to arouse angry or violent feelings.
Example: “Inflammatory remarks”
Synonyms: Provocative, Provoking.
7) Debate
Meaning: A formal discussion on a particular matter in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward and which usually ends with a vote.
Example: “Last night’s debate on the Education Bill”
Synonyms: Discussion, Exchange of views.
8) Protracted
Meaning: Lasting for a long time or longer than expected or usual.
Example: “A protracted and bitter dispute”
9) Agitation
Meaning: A state of anxiety or nervous excitement.
Example: “She was wringing her hands in agitation”
Synonyms: Anxiety, Perturbation.
10) Politicised
Meaning: Cause (an activity or event) to become political in character.
Example: “Wage bargaining in the public sector became more politicized”
11) Evoke
Meaning: Bring or recall (a feeling, memory, or image) to the conscious mind.
Example: “The sight evoked pleasant memories of his childhood”
Synonyms: Bring to mind, Call to mind.
12) Divergent
Meaning: Tending to be different or develop in different directions.
Example: “Divergent interpretations”
Synonyms: Differing, Varying.
13) Vindictive
Meaning: Having or showing a strong or unreasoning desire for revenge.
Example: “The criticism was both vindictive and personalized”
Synonyms: Vengeful, Out for revenge.
14) Insidious
Meaning: Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with very harmful effects.
Example: “Sexual harassment is a serious and insidious problem”
Synonyms: Stealthy, Subtle.
15) Affordable
Meaning: Inexpensive; reasonably priced.
Example: “Affordable homes”
16) Patronage
Meaning: The power to control appointments to office or the right to privileges.
Example: “Recruits are selected on merit, not through political patronage”
Synonyms: Power of appointment, Right of appointment.
17) Apprehension
Meaning: Anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen.
Example: “He felt sick with apprehension”
Synonyms: Anxiety, Angst.
18) Allegation
Meaning: A claim or assertion that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically one made without proof.
Example: “He made allegations of corruption against the administration”
Synonyms: Claim, Assertion.
19) Rationale
Meaning: A set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action or belief.
Example: “He explained the rationale behind the change”
Synonyms: Reason(s), Reasoning.
