Chennai reporters angry at Police Commissioner's reported move to monitor them

Chennai reporters angry at Police Commissioner's reported move to monitor them
Chennai reporters angry at Police Commissioner's reported move to monitor them
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The News Minute| September 7, 2014| 10.00 pm ISTCrime and city reportage in newspapers are an indication of the all the good and bad happening in the city, from gruesome murders to accolades won for achievements. The public may soon have to rethink this definition of what they believe appears in newspapers after a recent decision by the Commissionerate of Chennai Police. Crime reporters in Chennai were agitated after they were informed by sources within the department that the Chennai police commissioner has told high-level officers to “monitor” activities of not criminals and their gangs, but crime beat reporters of various top newspaper dailies to ensure they do not bring out any “adverse reports” The Chennai Union of Journalists released a circular saying that this decision by the Commissioner of Police Chennai, S. George was intended because the inspectors “have been instructed to take care that there is no negative portrayal of the city commissionerate and crime happening in the city.”The union condemned this move of the Commissioner and has filed a complaint with the head of the Press Council of India and the Internal Affairs Ministry. It also said that this move was reminiscent of the controversial Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) The circular deemed the move as a serious threat to media freedom in the city and urged for it to be withdrawn.Crime reporters in the city they have reliable information that Times of India and Indian Express will be monitored by a Deputy Commissioner rank officer, reporters from The Hindu and Deccan Chronicle will be monitored by an Assistant Commissioner rank officer.. An Assistant Commissioner rank officer and Inspectors are supposed to keep tab on Tamil newspapers like Malaimalar, Malaimurasu, Tamil Murasu, Daily Thanthi, Dinamalar, Dinamalar, Dinamani and Dinakaran.

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