Vikatan's Balasubramaniam dies at 78

Veteran journalist and media personality, Balasubramanian was the brain behind the launch of ‘Junior Vikatan’, a pioneer in the field of investigative journalism.

“In the demise of S Balasubramanian, more popularly known in the media circles as S S Balan, Tamil Nadu has lost one of the greatest champions of press freedom and a doyen of Tamil journalism” said K Vaidyanathan, editor of Dinamani.         

Known for courage of conviction, he famously won a case against his arrest ordered by Tamil Nadu assembly for publishing a cartoon on Ananda Vikatan’s cover in 1987 when late M G Ramachandran was Chief Minister. The episode had triggered nationwide debate and protests on the freedom of the press vis-a-vis the legislature.

“After encashing the cheque issued by Government of Tamil Nadu, he published it in Ananda Vikatan and framed a copy of it as a memento to the victory of the press. He will long be remembered by the press for re-establishing its rights in democracy” said Lakshmipathy Adimoolam, director of the Dinamalar group of publications.

He was the son of legendary filmmaker and movie studio (Gemini Studios) owner S S Vasan. He is survived by his wife, a son and five daughters.