ITANAGAR, May 16:

 

Responding to the Arunachal Press Club’s letter criticising the Adi Baane Kebang of intimidating one of its senior members and veteran journalist, the APC president Chopa Cheda today reiterated the media fraternity’s stance on the issue.

 

On May 10, the APC had written to the ABK regarding the threats that were issued to Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times. In the letter, the APC had sought an explanation from the ABK demanding to know what in her writings had offended the organisation to such an extent that it warned her such: “Do not forget you are born and brought up in Bilat, East Siang District”.

 

The ABK responded to the letter by highlighting certain lines from one of her recent articles on the Lower Siang district issue. It accused her of not verifying facts and hurting the sentiments of the Adis.

It also said that the line, ‘Do not forget you are born and brought up in Bilat, East Siang District’, was actually meant as a “justification to the reverence and respect” that it has for her. 

Responding to the letter, APC president Chopa Cheda has reiterated the media fraternity’s stance.

“We are not satisfied with the reply given by the ABK. Instead of addressing the issue in a wholesome manner, it is cherry-picking sentences from Rina’s article out of context and deliberately viewing it from a communal colour,” Cheda said at a meeting held at the APC office here today.

The APC feels that the ABK is avoiding key issues in the matter such as the putting up posters on the gates and walls of Rina’s residence in Pasighat, East Siang district.

“Journalists do not belong to a single clan or tribe as they work for the best interest of the state,” Cheda said and expressed his sadness that such a senior journalist who has contributed so much to the growth of the media in Arunachal Pradesh is being subjected to such treatment.

Members of the APC also voiced similar opinions and said that they stand by their stance, shoulder to shoulder with their colleague, Rina. The members present at the meeting made their stance clear that they are not picking any sides on the Lower Siang issue but simply trying to protect the rights of the press.

Cheda added that while the APC would like to see the end of this issue at the earliest, it was willing to resolve the matter through constructive dialogue if the ABK wants to.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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