Journalist’s Arrest: Film Artists Association Prepared for Talks

Following arrest of a journalist, the South Indian Film Artistes’ Association has shown preparedness for talks with an eminent Tamil daily, whose news editor was detained for publishing a report with details of a statement reportedly given by a TV artist arrested in connection with a prostitution case.

In the wake of a meeting with Tamil Nadu chief minister M Karunanidhi to thank his him for police action against the daily ‘Dinamalar’, R Sarathkumar, Association President, told reporters: “We complement each other. Press is also a pillar in our own society. They can come with whatever feeling they have.”

Yesterday, B Lenin, a News Editor of ‘Dinamalar’ was arrested following protests from the association for carrying names of the artistes in the newspaper along with their photographs linking them to a prostitution case.

The TV actress had reportedly told police that she was not the only artist indulging in prostitution and there were others, some belonging to yesteryear, who ran brothel houses.

“But our stand is very clear. We need the press and the press needs us. But, it should not exceed certain limits of expression in print or visual media,” Sarathkumar said.

He said that the newspaper, despite carrying the report, published had published regret over it, but it was not prominently displayed.

At an association meeting last night, attended by Tamil superstar Rajnikant among others, it was decided that the affected actors, whose name appeared in the report, should file defamation cases against the daily.

Madras Union of Journalists has condemned the arrest of Lenin, saying that it was highly “prejudiced and undemocratic” and the police action was aimed at intimidating the media of Chennai and a threat to working journalists.