The opposition parties today strongly condemned the emotional outburst of Telangana chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao against the media has received all-round condemnation. The opposition, journalists unions and women organizations severly condemned the act stating that it reflecting dark days of emergency.
Journalists held protest rally today at Raj Bhavan and later submitted memorandum to Governor ESL Narasimhan protesting against police respressiona gainst journalists yesterday, when they were protesting against black-out of two news channels. They complained even women journalists were also not spared. Governor assured them to look into the issue. Police tried to prevent them, resorted to lathi charge and arrested many journalists. Journalists wondered whether it is a democratic regime or dictatorial regime ?
Journalists also protested at chief minister’s meeting in Prof Jayashankar Agirucltural University, when he was attending a programme, by wearing black badges and ribbons to mouths. In the wake of protests by groups of journalists yesterday at chief minister’s meeting in Warangal, Rao warned that “If anyone wants to stay here, they need to respect the people here and become part of our Telangana culture. If media crosses its limits, not just blocking the channels, we would be forced to take other courses of action as well.”He strongly criticised two television news channels here today for allegedly "tarnishing" the image of Telangana people. It may be recalled that since June 16, the transmission of TV channels ABN Andhra Jyothi and TV 9 were blocked by the Association of Telangana Multiple System Operators (cable TV operators), alleging that these channels had aired programmes "denigrating the Telangana dialect, sentiment and feelings" of the people of the newly carved out state.
Strongly reacting to the protests, Rao accused the two Telugu news channels of hurting the self-respect of the people of Telangana through certain objectionable telecasts and added that such pro-Andhra and anti-Telangana channels would/should not be allowed to function in the state.He, however, clarified that the government had not banned these channels and that it was the cable operators' association which decided not to beam the programmes of the two channels. He, however, hailed the cable operators' decision as good and correct. "I salute multiple system operators who stopped transmission of the two television channels. If they (TV channels) do not mend their attitude, I will teach them a lesson," the Telangana Chief Minister said.Union Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said that it was not fair to curb the press freedom and if at all some media institutions misuse the freedom, the same should be dealt legally in accordance to the law of the state. If it exceeds the limit, press council should be approached, he added. BJP state president G Kishan Reddy strongly condemning Rao’s attitude said it reflecting dictatorial attitude of the chief minister. BJP legislator party leader Dr K Lakshman said it remembering dark days of emergency days press censorship. TDP state president L Ramana said it shows horrible repressive regime of the TRS.
