Political parties corner Kerala Governor Khan over his selective media boycott

Hundreds of journalists representing different media houses took part in the protest march in Thiruvananthapuram, wherein they sought an unconditional apology from the Governor for humiliating representatives of the Media One and Kairali news channels after inviting them to the press meet.

Meanwhile, though a day has gone by since Khan made his controversial statements targeting the two media houses, no senior BJP-RSS leader has come to his rescue. In fact, the leaders refrained from making comments even when journalists contacted them.

Politicians speak out

Addressing the journalists, leaders across the spectrum declared they would not allow the Governor to continue with his selective arrogance towards journalists who ask disturbing questions.

Satheesan and Isaac said Kerala would remain united for press freedom, and no attempt to thwart it would be entertained even if the moves came from constitutional heads.

Rights activists, academics, social workers, and members of other segments of civil society also extended support to the two television channels.

Cities like Kozhikode, Kochi, Kottayam, and Kollam witnessed similar protest marches by journalists and leaders of political parties, except those from the BJP-RSS.

A protest march was organised even in New Delhi by the Malayalee journalists affiliated with KUWJ.

In his speech, Satheesan came down heavily on the Governor, accusing him of consistently stooping low to hog the limelight.

“What Khan has done is unconstitutional. He wants to remain in the limelight by engaging in unconstitutional things,” said Satheesan, challenging the Governor to prove the Constitutional validation of his demand for the resignation of Finance Minister KN Balagopal on losing his “pleasure”.

He said party politics would not prevent him from exposing the anti-constitutional attempts of a Governor who, according to him, was implementing the game plans of the BJP-RSS.

“Politically, the LDF and the UDF have many differences. But we all have come here to give a strong message to the Governor that Kerala would not tolerate any attempt to damage press freedom. The Governor must explain to the media fraternity why he discriminated against two television channels,” said Thomas Isaac.

Journalists condemn move

KUWJ president MV Vineetha sought strong exceptions to Khan’s reported statement that the journalists affiliated with both channels were cadres of political parties.

“Television channels, irrespective of the ideologies they represent, have always given due prominence to the statements and press conferences of Khan. Nobody distorted his statements. If uncomfortable questions are the problem the Governor finds with us, we are helpless and will continue to raise such questions,” she said.

The Governor’s action has also invited strong condemnation from prominent media houses, including Malayala Manorama, Mathrubhumi, Deshabhimani, Madhyamam, and Asianet.

In an editorial, Malayala Manorama termed the Governor’s action as anti-democratic and not conforming to the ethos of a society that respects press freedom.

Madhyamam, in its editorial, noted that the Governor discriminated against the two channels without any provocation and much ahead of his press conference.

“The action was deliberate and preplanned. Khan has a plan of acting against media houses that raise questions that disturb him,” said Desabhimani in its editorial.

Asked why the journalists were not boycotting Khan, KUWJ general secretary R Kiran Babu said the collective decision was to bring the Governor’s action to a public debate on all possible platforms.

“We will not be authoritarian like him. We will continue listening to his voice as he holds a constitutional position. If he has any decency, he can tender an unconditional apology,” he said.