News Tamil Nadu

Annamalai Takes Thanthi TV Journo To The Cleaners For Asking Baseless Question

June 29, 2023
The Commune

Upon his arrival to Chennai after a trip to the UK, Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party President, K Annamalai met with reporters and as the question-answer session unfolded, there arose a heated exchange between the party leader and a reporter from Thanthi TV, Mahesh. The encounter became increasingly tense as Annamalai challenged the veracity of the questions posed by the reporter.

The altercation began when the Thanthi TV reporter asked Annamalai about allegations that he had secretly met with Senthil Balaji’s brother. In response, Annamalai sought to ascertain the source and credibility of the information presented. He directed a series of probing questions to the reporter, questioning whether the information originated from the DMK camp and if it was relayed by either Stalin or Durga Stalin, or if the owner of Thanthi TV was involved.

However, the reporter refused to provide any insights into the source of the information and instead persisted with the query about the alleged meeting. Sensing the need to address the reporter’s conduct, Annamalai took the opportunity to school the journalist on the importance of asking well-structured questions, particularly as a representative of a prestigious channel like Thanthi TV.

Highlighting the significance of maintaining the channel’s reputation, Annamalai emphasized that the manner in which questions are framed should not create a negative perception among viewers. “When you represent a TV, uphold your TV,” he asserted.

Annamalai then turned the tables on the reporter by saying, “I received information that you (the reporter) received ₹1000 from DMK to ask this question to me.”  The reporter, surprised, questioned how Annamalai could verify such a claim. In response, Annamalai drew a parallel, asserting that just as the reporter couldn’t substantiate the allegation against him, he too couldn’t confirm or deny the alleged meeting without concrete evidence.

As the reporter questioned Annamalai’s growing “frustration”, the BJP President emphasized the importance of logic when asking a question. He stated that he had not convened the press conference, having just arrived in Chennai after a gruelling 16-hour flight. Despite the circumstances, Annamalai expressed his willingness to answer questions respectfully and patiently. However, he warned that responding to illogical queries would not serve any purpose.

This is not the first time that reporters have been schooled by Annamalai, not very long ago, he exposed the biases of Puthiya Thalaimurai channel‘s journalist. 

Prior to that, when the BJP Tamil Nadu President was hounded by two Dravidian Stockist journalists – Shabbir Ahmed of The News Minute and Lakshmi Subramanian of The Week – demanding him to apologize over his ‘monkey’ remarks, he unyieldingly gave them back saying that he will not apologize.

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