Question : Curb on Media

(a) whether the Ministry has taken note of the proposal of the Government of Andhra Pradesh to put restrictions/curbs on media and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether the Government is also aware that the Information and Public Relations Minister has placed this issue before the State Cabinet for getting approval so that the Ministry can take action against media houses/media/ publications;

(c) if so, whether this is tantamount to violation of freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Constitution; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the corrective steps proposed in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FOREST AND CLIMATE CHANGE; MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING; AND MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
[SHRI PRAKASH JAVADEKAR]

(a) to (d): The State Government of Andhra Pradesh has informed that vide order G.O. Rt. No 938 dated 20.02.2007 it permitted the Special Commissioner, Information and Public Relation to lodge complaints and file defamation cases against the Publishers and Editors Publishing/ telecasting items which are false, baseless and defamatory in nature and to initiate legal action.



The State Government of Andhra Pradesh vide order G.O. RT No 2430 dated 30.10.2019 has further accorded permission empowering the Secretaries of respective Departments to issue rejoinders, file complaints and lodge appropriate cases in the above matter.
The Press Council of India set up under the Press Council Act, 1978 has taken suo moto cognizance in the matter and has issued Notice on 01.11.2019 to the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

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