Epaper
AP’s Official language commission Chairman, ABK Prasad has again come out with his experiences with Ramoji Rao. Let us see what he said in his words:
“These are the days where there is no demarcation between the freedom of press and freedom of editor of a News Daily. This has become more evident with the unearthing of financial uproar in Margadarsi. A people’s representative started controversy about the illegal financial activities in Margadarsi. This is an aspect where the head of Margadarsi and the people’s representative should prove their integrity before public. But Ramoji made this issue as a burning point between Eenadu and State Government. That is his crooked intelligence. It has to be underlined that a magazine like The Hindu also spoke in support of Ramoji in that aspect. Not merely that, they have given wrong information for Advani as well. Initially Advani thought to advocate the issue in support of Ramoji Rao. But after knowing the fact, he stepped back. It is immoral that Ramoji is using Eenadu for his business gains. Where there is obstruction for the Press Freedom of Eenadu? Is it not right to question the illegal activities of Ramoji Rao for the sake of his status as editor of a News Daily? Press Commission has marked a line between management of News Dailies and ‘Freedom of Press’ considering a few specimens like Ramoji Rao. Mani Konda Chalapathi Rao was the member in first Press Commission. The first Press Commission proposed to de-link the magazines from management. Second Press Commission accepted that. Manikonda gave nomenclature to some editorials as ‘Proprietorials’ (the so-called editorials of proprietors). Fearing for the managements of many magazines and dailies, no government could dare to bring rubric with this proposal. Had that been brought, Ramoji might not have started Eenadu. Ramoji used to involve in news whenever he assumed that there is some trouble for his business gains. But there was no overdose of freedom initially as it is now. With the controversy of Margadarsi there are some issues on Press Freedom. So I have to share some things here. There is no special freedom with the name Press Freedom. It is the People’s Freedom that is ultimate. People have the right to now the information. It is the responsibility of journalist or editor to take that information to people. The freedom should be used only for that. How far it is right for Ramoji Rao to use his Eenadu for selfish motives? I was with Andhra Prabha initially. Goenka, the head of that magazine, used to say to us that whatever comes about him should be published without any censor cut. He used to say that he will give explanation for such items to public. His motive is not to mix up management freedom with Press Freedom. But despite using Freedom of Press Ramoji couldn’t be able to safeguard the image of his Margadarsi. It was evident slowly. The actual fact is that Ramoji has no idea on this subject and he is a perfect illiterate and uneducated”
-Free Translation from ‘Ee Vaaram’
