Declaring war on a section of media houses, Jagan administration has taken a crucial decision that could trouble the negative media who air false stories against the government. It is learnt that Jagan government has entrusted the powers with secretaries to sue media houses which are spreading “false” and “baseless” news against his government.
Andhra Pradesh state government is of the opinion that certain print, electronic and social media are “intentionally” trying to “defame” and “tarnish” the image of the government with “baseless” reports. Jagan told his cabinet colleagues to not spare such media houses.
Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Minister Perni Venkatramaiah alias Perni Nani has presented such a proposal to the Cabinet and the Cabinet said to have accepted the proposal. I&PR proposal is based on a Government Order (GO) dated 2007, which empowers the Special Commissioner of the I&PR department to file cases under the law in case of ‘baseless’ media reports. Now, the Cabinet has extended that same power to all secretary-rank officials. The move is expected to kick up a controversy.
Meanwhile, CM Jagan is unhappy with a section of national media. He is of the opinion that the national media isn’t focusing on the good and revolutionary decisions his government is taking for the benefit of people. Jagan and his colleagues feel a section of media is highly critical about his government and he wants to put a check to it. Though Jagan has appointed Devulapalli Amar as an adviser to AP government on National Media and Inter-State Affairs, it hasn’t yielded any results feel Jagan. And hence Jagan said to have come up with this move which could fear the section of media.
