Chennai: DMK President M Karunanidhi on Tuesday asked whether it was justifiable on the part of media for "falling prey to a rival party", which, he claimed, is wanting to root out his party from Tamil Nadu.
"The media is falling prey to a rival party which is wanting to root out DMK," he said without taking any party's name.
Karunanidhi said the media was not writing much about the assets case faced by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in a Bangalore court.
"Only very few english newspapers were writing about it," he said.
"... I appeal to you (media) to work in a democratic manner. We both should work in a democratic way. Media should work as the eyes and ears of the people," Karunanidhi said at a public meeting, organised as part of his 91st birthday celebrations here.
"DMK is a party which works for the freedom of the press. Most of the senior leaders have worked in media. If there is a threat to the freedom of press, DMK leaders and its cadres will not just watch it. DMK will work for the freedom of the press," he said.
Asserting that DMK was in "no way an enemy" to the media, he said, "I appeal to you that we work in a democratic manner. If there is a mistake by us either during DMK regime or as an opposition party, correct us in proper manner. By correcting us, we both will be working for the welfare of democracy."
However, he warned that if there was a threat for the "relationship" and the "friendship" between DMK and the media, his party may not be in a position to support the media.
"Such a situation is not good for the freedom of press nor for the country. It may not be good for future generations. Therefore, media should encourage us more and more," he said. He clarified that he was not requesting the media for its support but it was the responsibility of the media to protect democracy.
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