IPI, INS denounce blockade of two Kerala dailies by CPM wing

NEW DELHI: The International Press Institute (IPI) and the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) have condemned the blockade of newspapers in Kerala, alleging that it was orchestrated by the trade union wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). In a statement, both media bodies said this was an attack on the freedom of press.
Describing this as an "attempt at censorship", IPI said CPM was apparently angry at reports carried by newspapers Malayala Manorama and Mathrubhumi.
In a statement, INS said fundamental rights of readers were being denied by the "unwarranted action". INS president Ashish Bagga said the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) should stop "browbeating newspapers".
He pointed out that the "political agenda is evident from the fact that the agitation started at a time when the Malayala Manorama was publishing a feature series on organizational problems in the state unit of CPM". INS asked CPM to direct its cadres to desist from denying the right to the people to get the newspaper of their choice.
IPI said that for the past 13 days, CITU was "physically obstructing the distribution of Malayala Manorama and other publications of the Manorama group in and around the city of Calicut. Distribution agents from the paper have been threatened with violence by CITU workers if they proceed with delivery. The blockade has since grown to include another Kerala paper, Mathrubhumi. Additionally, the disruption of the supply of both newspapers has spread to the neighbouring district of Kannur".