In a fierce critique on Saturday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan invoked Irish satirist Jonathan Swift, stating, "Falsehood flies, and truth comes limping after it," as he accused certain media outlets of intentionally disseminating misleading information about the Wayanad landslide disaster.
Published Sep 21, 2024 | 2:35 PM ⚊ Updated Sep 21, 2024 | 2:35 PM
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan attacks media during press conference.
In a strong response to recent media coverage regarding the devastating Wayanad landslide, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a blistering attack during a press conference on Saturday, accusing certain media outlets of deliberately spreading false information about the disaster.
The landslide claimed several lives and caused extensive damage to property and infrastructure in the region, leading to a significant humanitarian crisis.
During a press briefing, Vijayan expressed his discontent with what he described as “sensationalism” and “irresponsible reporting” by some media houses. He stated, “It is unacceptable for any section of the media to exploit a tragedy for sensational headlines. The focus should be on helping the victims and providing accurate information, not spreading panic and confusion.”
His remarks came in response to claims made by various outlets that the government had failed to take adequate measures for disaster preparedness and response.
The CM condemned the media’s alleged misreporting, specifically the confusion between the estimated figures in the state’s Disaster Memoranda and the actual funds spent by the government on relief efforts.
“The media’s engagement in such destructive journalism is deeply reprehensible. What was the motive behind generating such false news? It is hard to believe this was a mere misunderstanding. This feels like part of a larger conspiracy,” Vijayan remarked, suggesting that the intent was to sabotage the state’s ability to secure disaster relief funds.
The Chief Minister specifically referred to allegations that the government had neglected warning signs prior to the landslide and that emergency response efforts were insufficient.
He dismissed these claims as unfounded, stating, “Our government has been proactive in disaster management. We had issued warnings and mobilised resources to assist those affected.”
He underscored that Kerala’s disaster management protocols have been among the best in the country, emphasising that timely action was taken once the landslide occurred.
On September 16, the Chief Minister criticised certain media outlets for allegedly misreporting the costs associated with relief efforts following the landslides in Wayanad.
Reports referencing a Kerala High Court order, claimed that an excessive amount was spent on disaster relief. Both the BJP and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), part of the UDF coalition, accused the state government of corruption based on these claims.
The BJP alleged that the Left government had fraudulently claimed crores of rupees for volunteer expenses, while the IUML echoed similar accusations.
In response, the Chief Minister’s Office dismissed these allegations as “baseless.” He clarified that the state government had submitted a memorandum to the central government outlining the anticipated expenses related to the disaster, and asserted that media reports misinterpreted this document as actual expenditures.
“The memorandum strictly followed the norms issued by the Central government. The figures mentioned were cost estimates for relief efforts, but these were deliberately misrepresented by certain media outlets as ‘amounts spent’,” Vijayan said. He emphasised that this misinformation could undermine the credibility of disaster relief systems and funds, which are crucial for the victims of the calamity.
The Chief Minister went on to highlight that similar memorandums were submitted by previous governments between 2012 and 2019, all of which followed systematic methods without any controversy. He questioned why the same process is now being misrepresented when the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government is in power.
“From 2012 to 2016, during the UDF’s tenure, there were no accusations of inflating or exploiting disaster relief memorandums. The documents are public, available on the State Disaster Management Authority’s website for anyone to verify,” he said.
The Chief Minister asserted that the media has moved away from its democratic duty of reporting facts and has instead become embroiled in manufacturing controversies for political agendas.
Vijayan also took aim at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), accusing the central ruling party of being complicit in spreading false propaganda. He alleged that BJP members were part of a campaign to misinterpret the state’s disaster relief estimates in an effort to tarnish the government’s image. He said this misrepresentation was part of a broader agenda to prevent Kerala from receiving the necessary funds.
“The central government has yet to provide any special assistance for Wayanad. It is disappointing that, instead of supporting disaster relief efforts, the BJP is participating in spreading lies,” the CM said.
He further escalated his confrontation with the media, declaring that his government is being “forced” to pursue legal action against outlets spreading false information.
“The state government has no choice but to explore legal avenues against sections of the media. Some are even blatantly violating Supreme Court directives by meddling in administrative justice. This isn’t something we can overlook. The current media approach is becoming destructive—it’s an attack on the state itself,” the Chief Minister stated.
He condemned certain outlets for targeting the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), a critical lifeline for disaster victims across Kerala. “The CMDRF has provided aid to countless disaster victims, yet these media attacks continue. This is unacceptable,” Vijayan remarked.
In the wake of the landslide, the Indian government mobilised a multi-agency response team, including the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and state disaster management units, to aid in rescue operations and provide relief to those affected.
Vijayan called on the media to take responsibility for upholding the truth, especially in times of crisis. He urged journalists to prioritise facts over sensationalism and to ensure the state’s relief efforts are not sabotaged by false news.
“There is an influx of fake news in the competition among channels. In Wayanad’s case, even a person with basic language skills could understand that the memorandum was deliberately misinterpreted. Such malicious attempts to defame the government must be stopped,” he said.
The Chief Minister urged the media to play its role in strengthening democracy, rather than distorting the truth.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
