APUWJ Statewide Protests Against Growing attacks on Media in AP
Responding to the call given by the APUWJ state committee hundreds of Journalists across the state today took to the streets and protested against growing attacks on media persons. At different places across the state Journalists have organized Rallies , Dharnas and submitted memorandums to the district authorities. In recent times there are many incidents of attacks on media that took place in Andhra Pradesh. On May 19th media persons were attacked at CBI court in Hyderabad by supporters of the Kadapa MP Mr YS Avinash Reddy when the Media persons were performing their duties. It is a well known fact that Mr Avinash Reddy was questioned many times by the CBI in relation with a high profile murder case.
Media persons were on duty at the CBI court anticipating the arrest of the Kadapa MP. Angered by the continuous presence of the media persons at the CBI court the supporters of the Kadapa MP attacked the media persons. The goons destroyed the vehicles and equipment of the media persons and injured them. In another incident that took place at Kurnool on 21St May the supporters of the same MP attacked media persons at a hospital where the MP was attending his ailing mother. In another typical incident at Vijayanagar am a case was registered by CID on the Secretary of the APUWJ Mr Siva Prasad Rao and another journalist Mr Srinivas just for sharing a WhatsApp message.
In an urgent meeting of the APUWJ office bearers has taken a decision to observe a statewide protest day on May 22nd demanding immediate arrest of the attackers and take stringent action against the culprits. The APUWJ demanded the union and state governments to bring a seperate act to deal with the attacks on Journalists. On May 22nd the Protest Day was observed in a big way at nearly 60 centers in 24 districts in the State. Hundreds of Journalists raised their voices against the attacks. The IJU steering committee member comrade Ambati Anjaneyulu has participated in the Dharna at Vijayawada.
The IJU Secretary Comrade D. Soma Sundar lead the protest at Tadepalligudem , in West Godavari district. The IJU NEC member Dr Prasad lead the Dharna at Thirupati. The President of the APUWJ Comrade I.V. Subba Rao lead a huge Dharna at Ongole. A host of political leaders and leaders of different mass organizations participated in the Dharna and extended their support to the agitation. The General Secretary of the APUWJ comrade Chandu Janardhan has participated in the agitation at Vijayawada.
In Kurnool district where the latest incident of attack took place the journalists were very furious on the behavior of the Supporters of the MP and held protest programs at 13 centers. In West Godavari district protests were organized in 7 centers. In Prakasam and Nellore districts protests were organised at three centers in each district. The APUWJ President Com IV Subbarao and General Secretary Com Chandu Janardhan congratulated the leadership of the district units for making the protest day a grand Success.