Let us assume for the sake of argument that what Kunte wrote was indeed libelous, and something that required strong action. If so, why is NDTV mum on it after all this while? The story has certainly spread in the Indian blogosphere like wildfire. NDTV and/or Barkha Dutt should have, by now come out with at least a statement on this whole issue to present their side of the story. If they are convinced they have done nothing wrong, why not come out and proclaim their innocence?
Gaurav wants to know why Barkha Dutt and NDTV are silent on this whole issue especially if they want to send a message that so-perceived libelous posts will be dealt harshly.
It’s also a sad day for the media fraternity because Kunte was being threatened of libel for making legitimate criticism about an issue of public concern. Freedom of speech is the foundation of a functioning democracy, and the law of libel shouldn’t be used to stifle expression of an opinion that could have taken the debate forward.
Binu Karunakaran at Counter Currents reminds Barkha of her Independence Day-eve column in Khaleej Times on resisting a code for conduct for the media and asking to be scrutinized just as she does to the rest. As Binu says, we just want Barkha now to walk the talk.
But the fact remains that the Navy Chief has uttered those damaging words, and despite NDTV’s letter asking “for an immediate retraction from the Navy” and “officially [complaining] that the comments amount to defamation,” no such retraction appears to have been made by the Navy (at least to my knowledge).
Abi takes a look at the real reason Chetan was sent the legal notice – the acussation on Wikipedia concerning Barkha Dutt’s Kargil coverage and finds that not everything is as NDTV wants us to believe. Check out this interesting comment by ‘Army Officer’ who asks interesting questions about the above mentioned accusation and Barkha’s defense.
The main criticism that I saw everywhere was that your coverage of the movements of the police, army, commandos and others was aiding the enemy. So I was happy to see this morning that you are finally taking on the enemy. An enemy, furthermore, that nobody had previously identified: one Mr Chyetanya Kunte, a blogger. He apparently made critical statements of NDTV, and, particularly, of you. The nerve.
Rahul Siddharthan writes a fan letter to Barkha Dutt.
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