A local Tamil radio station announcer has apologised after he was accused of insulting Tamil newspapers and its readers.

This comes after an audio recording of a conversation between THR Raaga host G Uthaya Kumar and an unidentified caller was leaked online three days ago and has since gone viral.

Uthaya has received a barrage of criticism from Tamil newspaper journalists as well as readers for the recording.

In a statement today, he apologised and explained that it had been a private conversation which was not aired on the radio.

Uthaya also accused the unidentified caller of leaking the audio recording on purpose.

“The conversation I had with an individual about Tamil newspapers was a private conversation. It was intentionally leaked by the individual to destroy my reputation.

“Even though the conversation was not aired, I take full responsibility for my actions and apologise to all Tamil newspapers and their readers for what I did,” he said.

In the recording, the unidentified caller was heard saying that Tamil newspapers were only useful as "wrapping paper and for sleeping on", due to their large size. The caller also alleged that Tamil newspapers' journalists were skilled at talking up to politicians for money.

The caller further said that articles in Tamil newspapers were stale and that such newsrooms ought to close.

Uthaya was heard laughing and agreeing with the caller in the recording.

The conversation is believed to have been recorded as part of the station’s report on the closure of local Tamil daily Tamil Nesan; however, it was not aired.

Among those who chastised Uthaya for his actions was local news portal Desam4U.com editor M Gunalan.

“As a media personnel, he should have defended Tamil newspapers and advised the caller about the struggle of Tamil newspapers in Malaysia. And not support him,” Gunalan told Malaysiakini.

Meanwhile, a group of NGOs have demanded for Uthaya to be sacked from his job at the Astro-owned radio station.

The group told Makkal Osai that they were prepared to hold a demonstration outside Astro’s headquarters should the announcer not be fired within 14 days.

Malaysiakini has reached out to THR Raaga and Astro Radio for comments.