Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday said the media should appreciate and support good schemes of the State government as only that would ensure its criticism of the government’s functioning is ‘respected and valued’.
Speaking at the book release function of ‘Kalaignar 100: Vikatanum Kalaignarum’ , Mr. Stalin said, “If you [media houses] write only criticisms and not support anything that the government does, there will be no value to the criticism. A neutral media should support what is right and show what is wrong. I appeal to Tamil Nadu media houses to act that way.... not for myself, but for the people. Democracy, secularism, social justice and brotherhood are being threatened. We will protect it politically, but that is not enough. The fourth estate should perform its duty.”
Mr. Stalin said that media houses such as Anandha Vikatan and The Hindu supported the freedom movement against the British. “Only if democracy is safeguarded, the media can survive. Whether it is Supreme Court or Election Commission of India or other institutions -- when they are being threatened, the media has the responsibility to safeguard democracy,” he said.
