Andhra Pradesh govt seeks crackdown on defamatory news, TDP slams move

On Wednesday, the Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government issued an order authorising the secretaries of respective departments to file appropriate legal cases against defamatory news published in print, social, or electronic media. This was an extension of Government Order no. 938 of 2007, whereby the then Chief Minister YS Rajashekar Reddy allowed a designated officer to file defamation cases against publishers and editors. The order claimed that there was an attempt to deliberately tarnish the image of the government.  

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The order read, "Instances have come to the notice of the government that certain print, electronic, and social media are deliberately trying to tarnish the image of government and government officials by spreading false, baseless, and defamatory news with malafide interest.” It added, "After careful examination of the matter, government hereby accords permission to delegate powers to the Secretaries of respective departments to issue rejoinders, file complaints and lodge appropriate cases, if need be, through public prosecutor against defamatory news items published/telecast/posted in print/electronic/social media pertaining to their respective departments after following due process of law." 

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TDP chief condemns the order

Former CM Chandrababu Naidu, the chief of Telugu Desam Party (TDP) condemned this order. Maintaining that people had a right to ask questions in a democracy, he claimed that this was an attempt to stifle the freedom of expression. Furthermore, he expressed apprehension that the Andhra Pradesh government could target those who were showcasing its failures and promised to fight against this order. 

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(With ANI inputs)