http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Hyderabad/Editors_condemn_attack_on_Zahid_Ali_Khan/articleshow/4160888.cms
Editors condemn attack on Zahid Ali Khan 21 Feb 2009, 0517 hrs IST, TNN HYDERABAD: Editors of the print and electronic media in the state on Sunday strongly condemned the Friday night attack on Zahid Ali Khan, Siasat editor and demanded immediate action against the assailants whom they said were suspected Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen activists. The editors who met at the Siasat office to discuss the situation following the attack on Zahid Ali Khan, said: "This is not the first such attack on Khan, whose newspaper has been fearlessly exposing the misdeeds of some MIM leaders and the unlawful activities of other elements. Some leaders belonging to MIM have been threatening the Siasat and its editor for quite sometime and taking such threats to the extent of physical attacks." The editors who were upset over the surge in attacks on media said the state government and the police remained callous even after complaints were lodged by the Siasat editor. The government also ignored protests by journalists when previous incidents occurred. They said that they resented the coldhearted and undemocratic attitude of the government and police and demanded immediate action against the assailants. The editors felt that it was high time that such negative trend is checked or else the situation would go out of control and resemble what is found in totalitarian states. If that happens the responsibility would be entirely that of the political parties, particularly the ruling party. "We appeal to all democratic thinking people and the civil society to extend their support to the media with a view to protecting the freedom of expression that is threatened by undemocratic elements. We express our fullest solidarity to Zahed Ali Khan and resolve to stand by his paper and its freedom," the editors said. The editors later visited Khan who is recuperating in Care Hospital, Moazam Jahi Market. The editors who attended the meeting included Ashok Tankasala, Editor Vaartha; Allan Narayana, Asst. Editor Andhra Jyothi; P Vijaya Babu, Editor Andhra Prabha; Piratla Venkateshwaralu, Editor Krishna Patrika; K Ramachandra Murthy, Chief Editor HMTV; S Vinaya Kumar, Editor Prajashakti; Amer Ali Khan, News Editor, The Siasat Daily; Zaheeruddin Ali Khan, Managing Editor, The Siasat Daily; Mir Ayoob Ali Khan, representing The Times of India Resident Editor Kingshuk Nag; Vidyaranya, Bureau Chief Andhra Prabha; Maneesh Singh, Bureau Chief Hindi Milap and; Satyam of Rahnuma-e-Deccan.
