Front Page
Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar, a former editor, continues to be on the front pages of almost all the newspapers after several women came out over the week alleging him of sexual assault.
Making the Akbar episode its lead story, The Indian Express writes about Union Minister Smriti Irani’s comment on the issue. At an event in Mumbai, Irani supported the women who are narrating their stories but put the onus on Akbar to issue a statement about the allegations.
The Telegraph picks its headline from the same statement of Irani, writing ‘Over to gentleman concerned’. Hindustan Times on its front page talks about the ‘stoic silence’ of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) over what action would it be taking once Akbar returns to New Delhi after his official visit. The Times of India writes how “Shadows are lengthening” over the continuance of Akbar in the government.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) joint general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale Thursday shared a Facebook post on his Twitter account saying, “I liked it. She has articulated what I was feeling…” Ankhi Das, a senior official of the social media company, wrote, “You needn’t have a #MeToo moment to support the woman journalists who have narrated their victimisation. You needn’t even be a woman. You just need to have a sensibility of what is right and what is wrong.”
News portal TheQuint editor Raghav Bahl too stood in the limelight as taxmen raided his home. Bahl later said his taxes are in complete order and accused the government of trying to shut down the voice of critical media, such as his. The Editors Guild of India, within minutes, issued a statement Thursday in his support.
The Telegraph writes on its front page “Tax raid on govt critic”. Bahl’s news portal has a perception of being too critical of the government. In its story, The Telegraph doesn’t mention that Bahl was just one of the four people whose houses were raided Thursday.
The Indian Express writes, “Searches and surveys were also conducted at the premises of three other individuals, with no apparent links to Bahl…” The searches were conducted for a possible case of tax evasion to the tune of more than Rs 100 crore. In its statement, The Editors Guild of India expressed “concern over the search and survey conducted by the Income Tax Department at the offices of The Quint and at the residence of its founder Raghav Bahl.”
The Hindu and Hindustan Times put the story on the inside pages of the newspapers.
Prime Time
Will Rafale become Bofors for BJP?
Aaj Tak anchor Anjana Om Kashyap discussed the raging political controversy over the Rafale deal. On Thursday, at a press conference held at All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in New Delhi, party president Rahul Gandhi alleged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have influenced the Rafale deal to save “debt-ridden” Reliance group chairman Anil Ambani’s business. Gandhi said Modi is acting as a “chowkidaar (watchman)” of the industrialist.
While BJP spokesperson Shahnawaz Hussain tried to play down the issue, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera claimed that Modi conducted the deal in his personal capacity.
Hussain said, “Congress has no credibility ask these questions, they are themselves guilty of being involved in several corruption charges.”
Khera said, “Anil Ambani was very much aware of the Rafale deal weeks before it actually took place. PM Modi has done the Rafale deal in his personal capacity.”
Should MJ Akbar step down?
India Today anchor Preeti Choudhry discussed the political future of Union Minister M.J. Akbar. With the #MeToo campaign gathering steam in India, several women journalists have come out and accused Akbar of sexual assault and harassment during his time as an editor.
CPM leader Brinda Karat said, “In the light of the very serious charges made against him, he must step down immediately. Of course, if he doesn’t step down the Prime Minister will have to remove him.”
Journalist Shivam Vij said, “Everybody in the media industry knows that M.J. Akbar is the biggest sexual creep out there.”
News it’s kinda cool to know
India suffered a total $79.5 billion economic loss as a result of climate-related disasters in the last 20 years, said a UN report. Titled ‘Economic Losses, Poverty and Disasters 1998-2017’, the report was compiled by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, reported Times Now.
The greatest economic loss was experienced by the US, pegged at $944.8 billion. This was followed by China at $492.2 billion, Japan at $376.3 billion and then India.