knowledge has no horizons

People live fearlessly because of fear of law, and law does its duty because of fear of Press. The so-called fourth pillar of democracy is broken with the arrest of the news editor of Dinamalar, Lenin, and it is absolutely an act of strangling the freedom of press. No doubt, Dinamalar has earned a good name among the people for pointing out whatever that goes against the people.

Bhuvaneswari, an actress, was arrested for involving in flesh trade along with two others at her home at Adyar on Saturday. The police found themselves shocked to see a photo a political big name hanging in the house, yet they continued with their action. While the boldness and sagacity of TN police was saluted, something is left to them to be answered. Dailies like Daily Thanthi and news site like thatstamil have all alike pointed out that Bhuvaneswari threatened the TN police with the list of actress that involve in the flesh trade, to take actions against them. But the questions that a man belonging to common folk seeks to clarify are: what happened to the list of Bhuvaneswari about those involved in flesh trade? What are the actions that the TN police have taken against them? What made the TN police rush action against the Dinamalar news editor?

I am not here supporting Dinamalar publishing of the news with photos of actress that are thought to be involving in the flesh trade without confirming from the authorized state agencies. The arrest coming at the time of actors’ union staging a protest demanding actions assumed added significance. What does the government of Tamil Nadu really intend to do? If the arrest came as a response to the ferocity of the actors’ union and the so-called actresses whose images were thought to be torn after the news in Dinamalar, what is the response for Bhuvaneswari publicly challenging the police to arrest others? Do the Police have their ready-made answers that “we are setting traps” and “we will catch them soon”, as usual?

Media is not just a matter of publishing news. It itself is police without uniforms. It plays a vital role in state and nation architecture and helps reducing crimes. And the part of it can’t just be arrested for someone’s protest. If anything related to media comes under criticism should be solved through Judiciary.