Chandrabala-this name has become a topic of the town as YSR Congress party activists highlighted it when they released the list of phone calls of CBI Joint Director Lakshminarayana. In an attempt to throw focus on the CBI's alleged act of releasing selective information on investigation to the media relating to illegal assets case, YSR Congress party activists have released the mobile phone call list of CBI JD Lakshminarayana.
The released phone call list reportedly states CBI JD telephoned media persons from his official mobile phone numbers ((9441433444 and 9441113444) . The list includes TV9, NTV, ABN. While 386 calls went to TV9, 142 calls were to NTV, 153 to ABN, more than 300 calls went to 9618490234. This number belonged to one Vasireddy Chandrabala.
The speculations were high among media circles the moment YSRCP released the list. Many people apparently showed interest to know who this Chandrabala was and her connection with CBI JD although they knew it was CBI JD's mere personal matter. YSRC activists claimed that Chandrabala was related to ABN Andhra Jyothi news channel. YSRC spokesperson Ambati Rambabu said there was no need for CBI JD to talk to the media persons as per the rule.
Journalists lash out at YSRC and Sakshi media:
The moment the telephone list of CBI JD Lakshminarayana was out by YSRC activists, the noted journalits in Andhra Pradesh held a press conference. They said calling up officials would be any crime reporter's job and dragging reporters' names into the picture in their bid to take on CBI JD was unethical. Journalists have also said that journalist unions would stage a protest in case Sakshi TV or YSRC continues to make personal attacks.
In fact, not just journalist unions but post doctoral scholars of journalism were of the opinion that media has a great responsibility and personal attacks and mere focus on personal aspects reflect the degrading journalistic standards.
(AW Phani)