# Goanetters-2004 meet in Goa. Dec 21, Tuesday. 12 noon to 2 pm. # # Clube Vasco, Near Municipal Garden, Panjim. Pass the word around! # ##########################################################################
Hi Aires:
Firstly, thanks for keeping us informed about this case. Secondly, no-thanks for peppering the inputs with a lot of motivated suggestions, innuendo and hidden allegations the truth of which we will only know after the judgement is out.
It's unfair, they say, to play the role of judge, jury and hangman all rolled into one. One could suggest that it's also not-quite-fair to play the role of activist-lawyer-journalist on a case which one has taken a personal interest in.
I am willing to concede, however, that the Press has largely let us down on this case, with some sections almost blacking out the issue completely, and other sections of the media sensationalising it. Added to it, we in the media in Goa have a poor reputation for following up issues -- unlike papers like the Indian Express, which have shown how thoroughness on such a track can make a difference. Nevertheless, the media failings is no justification for one-sided reporting.
Incidentally, it's tough to see why you pillory Ms Ezilda D'Souza. From what you have reported earlier, it appears that she has stated that, because of religious reasons, she has a conflict of interests and wants to be taken off that case. That seems to be the right thing to do.
When you say the 'court was told' below, by whom? The fact that you are making yourself invisible (if my assumption is right) would also suggest a conflict of interest in this lawyer-activist-journalist role.
Please don't take these comments as directed at you out of malice or for motivated reasons. Overall, I think you're doing a good job in highlighting the issue of sexual impropriety by people in authority (including in religion), which can be expected to become increasingly important an issue in the times ahead. It's only that I have my reservations about the way in which you're doing it ;-) FN
