Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 22: If 'embedded journalism' was the key word during the Iraq war, it is 'media syndicate' now highlighting infighting in the CPI(M) in Kerala.

When factionalism within the Marxist party dominated the local media recently, its state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan fired the first salvo, alleging a 'media syndicate' behind such defaming reports.

Soon, the allegation got some authenticity with Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan informing the State Assembly that the allegation about the presence of a 'media syndicate' funded by outside agencies had come to the notice of the government.

But he refused to divulge the details saying that they were confidential and making them public would affect international relations.

However, when the Opposition again raised the issue in the Assembly this week and asked if the 'media syndicate' was working with CIA assistance, Mr Achuthanandan refused to confirm or deny the existence of such an outfit.

Pointing out that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) Government would ensure freedom of the media and would not put journalists under a shadow of suspicion as alleged by the Opposition, he said the government would bring to the notice of the Centre if any ''suspicious'' activity was pointed out by the Intelligence Department.

Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy said with his reply the Chief Minister had placed the media under the scanner. He said if the matter was so serious then it should be brought to the notice of the Union Government.

UNI