Attack on TOI office: South Asia Media Commission says it's a matter of concern

New Delhi: The South Asia Media Commission today expressed serious concern over the attack on The Times of India newspaper's office in Mumbai last week, saying the incident proved that there was "no thaw" in targeting of media by non-state players due to perceived grievances against it.

"The attack on the office of Times of India group in Mumbai on Saturday is a matter of serious concern," K K Katyal, South Asia Media Commission President, said in a statement.

Suspected Shiv Sena workers had vandalised the reception area of Times of India (TOI) building apparently irked by a report in Marathi daily 'Maharashtra Times' which speculated that a sitting Sena MP was on his way to NCP. The newspaper belongs to the TOI group.

"The incident proved -- if a proof was needed -- that there is no thaw in the activities of non-state players in targeting the media because of their perceived grievances against published reports," he said.

Holding that Mumbai has lived up to its "notoriety" because of recent anti-media cases, Katyal said the attacks on journalists by non-state sections is an "India-wide phenomenon".

He said incidents against the media in the interior areas often do not get attention.

Referring to arrests made by Mumbai police in the case, he said all those involved in the attack must be apprehended and cases must be taken to court expeditiously to get deterrent punishment for the accused.

Police have already arrested 28 persons suspected to be Shiv Sena members.

The Commission is an associate of South Asian Free Media Association