Arfat Khan
Jammu: Entrusted with the job of rendering service to the society as guardian, the fourth pillar of democracy seems touching new low with the influx of Tom, Dick and Harry into the media which earlier remain a field of only responsible learned guys.
Now, taking undue advantage under the garb of social media, the market is flooded with brigade of raw and unrefined including under matriculates who resorts to all sorts of blackmailing and unethical things which are unbecoming of a journalists in the society.
In one such incident, a group of unidentified persons today claiming to be “Journalists” allegedly tried to pressurized Dr Ashwdev Singh Manhas, Medical Superintend, Govt Gandhi Nagar Hospital, Jammu besides tried to malign hospital image.
As per the available reports, today a group of persons claiming to be “reporters” barged into the Gandhi Nagar Hospital and starts video graphing of the premises. Noticing, some unusual activities in the premises when Dr Manhas questioned their motive and identity, they start flaunting media tag and allegedly threatened Dr Manhas of dire consequences.
Even as this was not enough, it has been learnt that the said “Journalists” later called Dr Manhas on his mobile number and asked him to come to Gandhi Nagar Police Station as there is some complaint against him pertaining to manhandling of some outsiders in the hospital premises.
Ironically, either SHO or the police officials of concerned police station only authorized with such job, however the so called journalists further moving ahead also acts as police officer and allegedly tried to create pressure on Dr Manhas by threatening him to come into police station.
Known for honesty and integrity, Dr Manhas vide letter No GNH/J/1106-07 dated 13/07/2018 forward a complaint to Station House Officer, Gandhi Nagar against some unidentified persons for trespassing and unauthorized video graphing in the hospital premises.
In another letter No GHH/J/1109-14 dated 13/07/2018 also dashed a complaint to Superintendent of Police, Cyber Crime Cell, and Jammu against News Portal- “Ground Reality News” for maligning the image of hospital with ulterior motives and without any facts.
It’s worth to mentioned here that earlier also a self styled “journalist” claiming to be correspondent of a National news channel which since long has been off the air in India had threatened Dr Manhas of dire consequences when the later refused undue demand of a oxygen cylinder for used at home by the said reporter.
On being contacted, Dr Manhas confirmed receiving calls from a mobile number wherein the unidentified person asked him to come to Gandhi Nagar Police station pertaining to “complaint” against him. Dr manhas further said “He holds high regards for media fraternity and hospital authorities never denied entry to media persons in the premises. However, there remains ethics of working and hooligans under the garb of media men cannot act like cops and creates hoo-hallah in places like hospitals which are flooded with heavy rush of patients”.
Due course of law will applied against unscrupulous elements who tried to blackmailed the hospital authorities for their personal agenda by flaunting themselves as “media men” asserted Dr Manhas.
Repeated attempts to contact SHO Gandhi Nagar as well as SP Cyber Crime couldn’t materialize due to network issue.