New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh opposition TDP members on Thursday staged a walkout in Assembly, accusing the Congress government of unleashing attacks on press freedom.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, TDP members alleged that Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhar Reddy had misled the House on the issue of the controversial Government Order (GO) authorising the state Information Commissioner to launch criminal proceedings against media organisations and editors for "false, baseless and defamatory reports".
The order, issued by Chief Secretary J Harinarayana on February 20, was subsequently withdrawn following widespread criticism. At that time, Reddy had said he was not aware of the order and that he had ordered its withdrawal as soon as it was brought to his notice.
However, T D Devender Goud and K Atchan Naidu, (both TDP), argued that the file obtained by them under the Right to Information Act, showed Reddy had signed the order. Demanding a discussion on the issue, they stalled the proceedings.
Higher Education Minister D Srinivas said the Opposition was taking up a non-issue, as the GO stood withdrawn.
He, however, maintained the Constitution had provided safeguards for the officials to protect their rights and seek action against character assassination and deliberate mud slinging by the media.
"We are committed to upholding the media freedom. But, when false, fabricated and misleading reports are published; the officials have a right to file cases under provisions of IPC. There have been instances of officials invoking these provisions irrespective of the party in power," Srinivas said.
Not satisfied by the Minister's reply, the TDP members trooped out of the House and staged a sit-in in the assembly premises.
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