Don’t give ads to hate channels: Ex-officials

Civil servants who have retired from some of the senior-most positions have written an open letter to the corporate sector and business houses, urging them to stop advertising on media channels that foment hatred and disharmony not only because it is the right thing to do but also because fear and unrest are bad for business.

Writing under the banner of Constitutional Conduct, the retired bureaucrats said companies, business houses and corporate groups — responsible for wealth creation —had not been doing their bit in upholding the rights and freedoms spelt out in the Constitution.

“Sadly, an impression has gained ground that these bodies have preferred to look the other way even as a rising tide of hatred and divisiveness threatens the very foundations of our society,” they wrote.