Derek O’Brien Breaks Ties With ABP

In a letter obtained by Newslaundry, Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien gives his reasons for discontinuing his two decade-long association with the Anandabazar Patrika (ABP). The letter is addressed to ABP Chief Editor Aveek Sarkar and has O’Brien accusing the media house of “biased and polemical” reportage.

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Dear Mr. Sarkar,

Goodbyes are never easy, but not answering to the call of one’s conscience is even harder.

As you are aware I have been contributing three columns to the ABP Group for about 20 years now. These are Knowledge Darpan for Anandabazar Patrika and two quiz columns for Telekids and Graphiti, both supplements of The Telegraph.

All of these columns are apolitical and knowledge-based. I have enjoyed writing them and interacting with my young, enthusiastic and remarkable readers. Unfortunately, I have to stop.

Much as my readers are precious to me, the ABP Group’s prejudices are making it impossible for me to continue. I wake up each morning to appalling, tendentious, biased and polemical reportage and commentary that seeks to sensationalise and misrepresent even the most basic facts and occurrences.

In this scenario, I have no choice but to cease writing for the ABP Group and its publications. I do this with a heavy heart, as I have had a long association with it. Unfortunately, the Group’s current leadership and management is unequal to the rich, disinterested and intellectually honest legacy it had inherited.

Yours sincerely,

Derek O’Brien

Founder, Chairman and CEO

Derek O’Brien & Associates