Media industry bodies slam vandalism at TV channel office

NEW DELHI: Slamming the attack on the offices of an English news channel, media industry associations have said "fascist methods" would only backfire. Both the Editors Guild of India and the News Broadcasters Association (NBA) have condemned Friday's attack on `Headlines Today' and its sister Hindi channel `Aaj Tak'.
The vandalism was reportedly carried out by suspected Sangh Parivar activists, who were enraged over a sting operation broadcast by `Headlines Today'.The report purportedly showed some RSS functionaries planning to attack Vice President Hamid Ansari.
"All organisations who believe in freedom of the media must protest against such intimidatory and uncivilised behaviour," the Guild said in a statement. "Such fascist methods to try and silence the media will only backfire," Guild president Rajdeep Sardesai added.
The incident was also condemned by NBA which voiced concern about growing incidents of violence against journalists. "There can be no acceptable reason for attacking the media who help make possible the fundamental right of freedom of expression," it said.
Meanwhile, RSS leader Ram Madhav claimed, "It was a peaceful demonstration. We are sorry that flower pots and some small property were damaged. We would have been happier had these damages not taken place."
"Though several newspapers had reported on the alleged involvement of Sangh leaders in terror activities, this news channel (the one whose offices were attacked) had violated norms of decent journalism," he added.