3 member PCI panel to enquire KCR's remarks on media

A three-member committee has been formed by the Press Council of India (PCI) to probe into the alleged threat remarks by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao against the media.

Three-member committee comprising senior journalists Rajeev Ranjan Nag (Convenor), K Amarnath and Krishna Prasad will make its recommendations for protection of the media in Telangana from threats and intimidations, said an order issued by PCI Chairperson Justice (retd) Markandey Katju.

The Committee would enquire into whether the Telangana CM made the statements attributed to him that he would break the necks and bury underground media persons and that they should salute the Telangana people if they wish to live in the state.

It would also probe whether this violates Article 19 (1) (a) pertaining to freedom of speech and expression rights guaranteed by Article 19(1)(e) and (g) of the Constitution.

The order further said that the panel would also enquire whether there was a threat perception to the media in Telangana and its free functioning. It will also recommend what steps are necessary for the protection of the media in Telangana in discharging its duties.

The PCI chairperson said it had been brought to his notice that Rao, while addressing a public meeting at Warangal, reportedly said he would break the neck of those in the media who insult the pride of Telangana, its culture and self respect. He also reportedly said that the media should salute the people of Telangana if they want to live in the state, otherwise they would be buried 10 km deep, the order signed by PCI chairperson said.

After considering the matter on the basis of material available in public domain, Justice Katju said prima facie he believes the remarks made by Rao amounts to intimidation of media personnel under threat of dire consequences and violate the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression of the media guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution and also the rights guaranteed by Article 19 (1) (e) and (g).

Katju, in the order, said the Telangana CM reportedly made the remarks after some journalists protested against blocking of transmission of two Telugu news channels TV9 and ABN Andhra Jyothi by Multiple System Operators (MSOs) since June 16, 2014, believed to be at the behest of Telangana government after TV9 channel broadcast a programme allegedly derogatory to the newly elected MLAs of Telangana state.

The heads and the editors of the channel repeatedly apologised for the program unconditionally in letters to the Speaker of the Telangana Legislative Assembly and the Telangana MLAs, the PCI order said.

The move comes following complaints by several persons including representatives of Indian Journalists Union (IJU) and its affiliated Telangana Union of Working Journalists (TUWJ) to PCI chairperson about the CM's remarks.