Thiruvananthapuram: A fresh circular issued by the government imposing restrictions on the media over seeking the comments from the chief minister and ministers at public places has triggered a controversy with allegations of infringement on the freedom of the media.
Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala asked the government to withdraw the circular that was issued by additional chief secretary (home) Subratha Biswas. The Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) sent a letter to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan protesting against the circular.
Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan maintained that no fresh restrictions were imposed on the media and that only some regulations for its smooth functioning were imposed.
According to the circular issued on November 15, the media is restricted from taking comments of the chief minister, ministers and other prominent personalities at public places. If the persons concerned wanted to interact with the media, the Information and Public Relations Department (I&PRD) should make the arrangement for it. The media often tries to take comments forcibly obstructing the free movement of the persons, said the circular.
Only accredited journalists would be allowed at the chief minister's press conferences. All government departments and offices are restricted from distributing press releases directly to the media. Instead it should be made through the I&PRD only.
The additional chief secretary also maintained that officials who directly distributed press releases to the media were often made sources by the media for getting negative news about the government. He also suggested that the bureau chiefs may inform the I&PRD about the number of journalists and crew members and details of the OB-van for reporting an event at the secretariat in advance so as to avoid undue rush.
The entry of journalists without accreditation or press pass to the PRD was also restricted by visitors pass.The KUWJ maintained that already there were reasonable restrictions on the media in the secretariat and government offices and hence imposing more restrictions had no justification.
