Chennai Journos Walkout as Mevani Says, ‘Remove Republic TV Mic’

In a show of solidarity, journalists belonging to TV channels in Chennai chose to walk out of a press conference by politician Jignesh Mewani. This after the MLA from Gujarat chose to single out Republic TV’s reporter, asking him to leave his briefing.

On Tuesday, the Vadgam MLA was participating in an interaction with academics, activists and students in Qaid-E-millat International Academy of Media Studies in Chennai. Following the two-hour interaction, a media briefing was organised with Jignesh.

It was when journalists from television channels placed their microphones on the table that Jignesh, on seeing the Republic TV’s mic, asked who the channel’s reporter is. “Who is the Republic TV’s reporter? I won’t talk to Republic,” Jignesh reportedly said.

While journalists from the other channels attempted to pacify the political leader, stating that it was only a “general bite” and not an exclusive interview, Jignesh reportedly stated that it was his policy not to speak to Republic TV, the channel led by Arnab Goswami.

“I won’t answer questions. Remove the mic,” Jignesh told journalists in the room. It was then that Shabbir Ahmed, a reporter from Times Now replied, “You can’t demand that (which mic should be there and which should not). We don’t want this press conference, you can go.”

With other journalists coming together to show support for Republic TV’s reporter, the press briefing ended with Jignesh not taking any questions.

The show of support by the otherwise competitive news media has been commended by journalists on Twitter.

Dear Chennai media, thanks for standing united against Jignesh Mevani. High time that activists and politicians stop dictating terms at press conferences, selectively humiliating field reporters for the supposed sins of their masters. @Ahmedshabbir20 @dhanyarajendran https://t.co/vzxlC9Vdt0

— Chandra R. Srikanth (@chandrarsrikant) January 16, 2018

One has rights to ignore a question during a press conference if he/she doesn't like it, But they don't have rights to order a channel to leave the place itself @jigneshmevani80 & thanks for all Chennai journos who stood for solidarity! @Ahmedshabbir20 @Lokpria @nimumurali

— Sanjeevee sadagopan (@sanjusadagopan) January 16, 2018

#JigneshMevani refuses to speak @republic in #Chennai. Rest of the media shows the way, boycotts him. Great unity shown by media. @Ahmedshabbir20 @Mugilan__C @Lokpria @Priyamvathap @imanojprabakar @Akshayanath @sanjusadagopan

— Pooja Prasanna (@PoojaPrasanna4) January 16, 2018

This isn’t the first time that reporters belonging to Republic TV have been targeted.  In December, reporters belonging to Times Now and Republic TV were banned from the Congress party’s press conference in New Delhi. This as the channels were engaging in an alleged witch-hunt against Congress President Rahul Gandhi, and the UPA.

(This article has been published in an arrangement with The News Minute.)

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