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Editors Guild of India calls Kerala govt bid to leash media ‘assault on press freedom’

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The Kerala govt directive bars journalists from approaching CM, ministers etc except through state’s information and public relations department.

New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India has taken note of and condemned a recent directive of the Kerala government that seeks to hinder press freedom in the state.

On 15 November, the Kerala home department issued a circular barring mediapersons from approaching the chief minister, other ministers and higher officials except through the state’s information and public relations department.

This is reportedly aimed at curbing the media’s requests for impromptu bytes from politicians.

The Editors Guild of India has described the notice as “a brazen attempt at restraining the movement of mediapersons while they are discharging their professional duties”. The move, it adds, is “regressive and a direct assault on press freedom”.


Also read: Editors Guild backs The Shillong Times over HC notice, urges judges to be tolerant


‘Out of bounds’

According to the circular, the information and public relations department has to be approached for permission even if any member of the media wants to interact with the CM and other ministers at venues like the airport, railway stations or government guest houses.

“This makes senior government representatives attending public functions out of bounds for them (mediapersons),” the Guild notes, urging the state government to revoke the direction “without any delay”.

The circular also places restrictions on media coverage of press conferences and official programmes at the secretariat, as well as entry to the public relations department.

Only journalists with state accreditation or entry passes will be allowed inside any section of the department, and for those with neither, the secretariat will only be accessible during the time allotted for visitors.

The statement comes soon after the Guild put its weight behind The Shillong Times editor Patricia Mukhim, who was issued a showcause notice and summoned by the Meghalaya High Court over a report on how judges granted their families multiple facilities and benefits.

Judges with broad shoulders and tolerant of criticism are the need of the hour, the Guild had said in their 16 December statement.


Also read: Editors Guild of India suspends MJ Akbar and Tarun Tejpal


 

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