Karuna charges some media with carrying 'mischievous' reports

Karunanidhi also accused CPI(M), now a part of AIADMK-led alliance in the state, of adopting double standard while reacting to the media's commentary on different parties in different states.

The media should use freedom of expression for guiding Indian democracy, still in its growing stage, in the right path instead of "sending it to the jungles," he said.
"Some newspapers and media, taking cover in the name of unbiased reporting, carry frivolous and mischievous reports. They also manufacture mischief in the name of investigative reporting and this not only results in complete change in the taste of viewers and readers but also affects culture and decency... this is intolerable," he said.
Writing in the party mouthpiece 'Murasoli,'  he said it should be pondered how such activities could augur well for democratic ethos.

His statement came on a day when a Delhi court reserved its orders on the bail plea of his daughter Kanimozhi, named a co-conspirator in 2G spectrum  scam, an issue that has found prominent media coverage.

"Ours is a democrcay which is still at the growing stage. In such circumstances, the media should work within its professional ethics and norms to show the people the right direction and uplift them. They should not, instead, strangulate freedom of expression and become a tool to send it (democracy) to the jungles," he said.

Karunanidhi took a dig at CPI(M) for a report in its mouthpiece 'Thekkathir' charging the media with siding with its arch rival in poll-bound West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress.

He accused the Leftists of having 'different yardsticks' for different states.
"The Communists here remain silent when the smallest of the dust against DMK is blown out of proportion by a section of the media. They even relish criticial reports that are not true (concerning DMK) but can't stand criticism against them," he said.

Karunanidhi welcomed the central government-sponsored celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, saying he can never forget the poems of the poet's famous 'Gitanjali.'