Press Council takes suo-moto on YSRCP's order against media

Slamming the YS Jagan Mohan Reddy-led Andhra Pradesh government on Friday, over its order providing power to the secretaries of government departments to sue media houses, TDP chief and former CM of the state N Chandrababu Naidu said that Press Council of India has taken a Suo Moto of the "draconian" order. Terming it as a "tight slap" on CM Jagan Mohan Reddy, Naidu emphasized that the order is to harass journalists and people voicing concern on social media. He added that he and his party will protest against it till the government does not call it back. 

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As per the order passed by the Andhra government in October, the Secretaries of Special Commissioner, Information and Public Relations departments are permitted to initiate legal action with regard to the publication of false, baseless and defamatory news items against the print media through the public prosecutor. Additionally, the order permitted secretaries of respective departments to issue rejoinders, file complaints and lodge cases against 'defamatory news items' trying to tarnish the image of the government and the government officials. The Press Council has now taken suo-moto cognizance of the order

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Press Council of India's Suo-Moto statement

On November 1, PCI in a statement said, "The Chairman is of the view that the threat to prosecute media personnel, in general, shall demoralise the journalists in large which shall have a severe bearing on the freedom of the press. Not only this the problems which the order in question seek to redress can very well be remedied by the Council itself". The statement added, "While taking suo-motu cognisance of the issue, the Chairman has directed the government of Andhra Pradesh through its Chief Secretary and Special Commissioner (I & PR) to file reply statement in this matter".

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2007 government order by Jagan's father

The order in question an extension of a 2007 order passed by Jagan Mohan Reddy's father - the then-CM of undivided Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy. As per reports, he had issued the Government Order empowering the Commissioner, Information and Public Relations, to file cases against media houses spreading false news with malafide intentions. After initially passing the order, the state government, which was slammed by Opposition led by Naidu, and journalists alike had reportedly justified stating there is an imperative need for the flow of news pertaining to various government departments in an accurate manner without any ''distortion, slant or prejudice''.

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