By IANS,
New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Sunday condoled the death of Malayala Manorama chief editor K.M. Mathew, saying that the country had “lost a true champion of the highest traditions of Indian journalism”.
In a message to his son Mammen Mathew, the prime minister spoke of K.M. Mathew’s commitment to the cause of excellence in journalism and his contributions to promoting the freedom of the press.
“I was deeply grieved to learn of the sad demise of your father Shri Kandathil Mammen Mathew. Shri K.M. Mathew was a leading light of the Indian press fraternity and played a key role in making Malayala Manorama one of the major dailies in the country after he became its Chief Editor in 1973,” he said in his message.
He noted that Mathew was was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his commitment to the cause of excellence in journalism and his contributions to promoting the freedom of the press. ”
“He had distinguished tenures as chairman of the Press Trust of India, president of the Newspaper Society of India (Indian Newspaper Society), and as member of the Press Council of India. In his death the country, particularly the state of Kerala, has lost a true champion of the highest traditions of Indian journalism.”