The recent incident where the NDTV Managing Director, Ms Barkha Dutt
has reportedly taken offence to a comment made in a blog forcing the
blogger to tender an apology reflects a sad state of affairs where
one journalist is trying to curb another. The issue related to the TV
coverage of the Mumbai blasts which the blogger called "Shoddy
Journalism". (see posting of november 27, 2008) .Subsequently, he
is appeared to have been forced to tender an apology having been
threatened of a defamation suit by Ms Barkha Dutt.It is unfortunate
that one journalist who should know more about journalistic ethics
and freedom of expression decided to use the clout she wields on the
blogger.It is difficult to accept that the blogger's remarks amounted
to "Defamation" and perhaps the strong notice that some lawyer might
have drafted on behalf of Ms Barkha must have made the blogger decide
that it is not worth fighting against a big channel which also is
considered Pro-Government and must have political clout too.

This is a clear case of a blogger being intimidated for expressing
his honest views.

I urge the Press Council of India to step in suo-motu and take action
against this assault on the freedom of expression of a fellow Net
Journalist.

In the event Press Council thinks that the blogger is not a
journalist and not registered with them and therefore not eligible to
be protected, then it is time for bloggers to set up a "Blogger's
Association" and seek recognition as a "Collaborative media vehicle".
This collaborative entity should register itself as a "journal" and
seek registration with the Press Council.

In the meantime, even without the responsibility to protect a
blogger, Press Council should consider that it has a duty to prevent
its own members acting unethically and should initiate a disciplinary
proceedings against NDTV so that a counter apology from them is
obtained.

Views and counter views welcome.

Naavi

Some reactions to note:
http://www.vmohanty.com/posts/open-letter-to-ndtv/

http://shripriya.com/blog/2009/01/28/shame-on-ndtv-and-barkha-dutt/

http://retributions.nationalinterest.in/ndtvs-assault-on-free-speech/

http://www.ipatrix.com/muffling-a-blogger/

http://thecomicproject.blogspot.com/2009/01/throw-constitution-
away.html

http://www.prempanicker.com/index.php?/site/when_free_speech_bears_a_p
rice_tag/

http://www.desipundit.com/2009/01/28/blogger-silenced-by-ndtv/

Twitter Reaction:

http://www.hashtags.org/tag/ckunte

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=ckunte