Freedom of press in peril in Telangana, journalists must stand guard : Uttam

Hyderabad, Nov 27 : Stating that the freedom of the press was in peril in India, especially Telangana, Congress MP & former TPCC President Capt N Uttam Kumar Reddy appealed to the journalists to stand guard to protect independent journalism. Speaking at the meeting Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ) in Suryapet District on Sunday, Reddy spoke about the glorious past of the journalists and their commendable role in India’s freedom movement.
“Mahatma Gandhi was the greatest journalist of all time. Gandhi was associated with six journals and he was the Editor of two journals. His first paper, Indian Opinion, was started in South Africa. Young India and Harijan played an important role in India’s freedom movement.
Ji has clearly stated that the sole aim of journalism should be service,” he said.Similarly, he said Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru began his career in journalism and became a great journalist of those times. He established the National Herald on September 9, 1938. The paper carried on its masthead the words ‘Freedom is in Peril, Defend it with All Your Might’. Likewise, Bal Gangadhar Tilak started ‘Kesari’ in Marathi and ‘Maratha’ in English and used them as weapons to gain freedom for the country. He was an icon of fearless and ideal journalism. He did not change his views despite the British Empire booking sedition cases against him. The Senior Congress leader said journalists played an active role in the Telangana agitation and fearlessly exposed the injustices done to the region. “I salute the fearless journalists who struggled for India’s independence and freedom and the Telangana agitation. I wish to remind them what a great legacy they are carrying,” Uttam said.