INS condemns arrest of journalist

The Indian Newspaper Society condemned the arrest of the news editor of 'Dinamalar' in connection with the publication of a news report which enraged the Tamil film industry and termed the action of Tamil Nadu police as "serious threat to the freedom of press".

The Indian Newspaper Society on Thursday condemned the arrest of the news editor of 'Dinamalar' in connection with the publication of a news report which enraged the Tamil film industry and termed the action of Tamil Nadu police as "serious threat to the freedom of press".

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"Police in plain clothes entering a newspaper office and dragging the News Editor (B Lenin) into custody is unheard of, and governments of the day should desist from such acts meant to muzzle the press," INS President T Venkattram Reddy said in a statement.

He also criticised the police action saying it was all the more reprehensible since the newspaper had expressed unqualified regret suo motu for publishing the article.

B Lenin, News Editor of popular Tamil daily Dinamalar was arrested yesterday for publishing a report with details of a statement purportedly given by a TV artiste arrested in connection with a prostitution case.