Freedom of expression and freedom of newsmen are subjective terms in the Kerala context. If it is the case of Siddique Kappan, it is the rejection of freedom of media and media man. Because he is the supporter of anti-Modi forces. But, when Janam TV reporter Gowtham Anandanarayan was attacked in the JNU campus in connection with the clashes when BBC’s anti-Modi film was screened, no problem; no Kerala Working Journalists Union men (KWJU) complained.
But, the good old days of the anti-Modi forces’ will to suffocate journalists of nationalistic views are gone. The latest issue in the “24” Malayalam News Channel establishes it. Sujaya Parvathy, the news editor and anchor News 24, was suspended on March 9. The reason being she inaugurated a Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) programme in Thrippunithrua, Kochi, in connection with International Women’s Day. Not only that but during her speech, she praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the development the country has been undergoing during his rule.
As usual, no journalist fraternity felt bad about this suspension, because, Sujaya got the image of a Sangh Puthri; (‘why should we worry’ for a Sanghi?). But, BMS and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) were not ready to leave it like that. BMS unleashed agitations and protest marches. In the meanwhile, Sujaya addressed a meeting organised by BJP in connection with the youth programme scheduled to take place in Kochi, which will be addressed by not less a person than the country’s PM.
The programme is named “Yuvam”, tentatively scheduled to be on April 26, 2023. Sujaya released the logo of the programme. There, she again reiterated her stand towards the Modi regime. It was a slap in the face of the channel CEO Sreekandan Nair, the pioneer of the Malayalam TV entertainment regime since the days of Doordarshan, much before the private channels entered the arena.
Sujaya did not care about the way she was treated, like cancelling her official e-mail id and even the official SIM card in her mobile phone. Deshabhimani, the print mouthpiece of CPM, was reported to have celebrated the suspension of a “Sanghi”.
When the bigwigs of Insight Media City, the company running Flowers TV and “24” New channel met, a major shareholder Gokulam Gopalan was reported to have expressed his difference of opinion in the suspension matter, he believed that Sujaya is good for the rise of the channel, thanks to her talents.
At last, CEO Sreekandan Nair issued a letter reinstating Sujaya. The letter reportedly says the decision is in the wake of her talents. The same time, action is unconditional.
But, significantly, Sujaya did not backtrack even a centimeter from her original stand. Her stand was clear: Sreekandan Nair and others in the editorial have graced the programmes of CITU and AITUC, trade union wings of CPM and CPI, respectively, in the past. Then what is wrong if she participated in a BMS programme?
Sreekandan Nair has expressed his anti-Modi, anti-NDA and anti-RSS views even in his interviews in the past.
But, now, he is bound to admit that things have changed. Sujaya Parvathy joined duties on March 29. BMS leaders and workers accorded a warm reception to her when she reached studio to rejoin.
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