Javedkar condemns ban on TV channels in Telangana

Hyderabad, Sept 11 (INN): Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Prakash Javedkar on Thursday strongly condemned the ban on two Telugu news channels in Telangana.

Addressing a press conference at the State BJP office here, Javedkar said that the Centre has already taken a serious note of this issue and it would take appropriate action in this regard in the next two days. He refused to disclose further details citing Model Code of Conduct as reason in view of Medak by-polls. However, he said that the Centre has gathered all required details to take its own action on the issue.

Javedkar assured that the BJP-led NDA Government would ensure complete freedom of press. Describing media as an integral part of democratic set up, he said that the freedom of press should never be suppressed by the governments. He reminded that there was no freedom of press during the British regime and Balgangadhar Tilak was imprisoned for expressing free opinion. Similarly, media was subjected to censorship and ban during the Emergency period in 1976. He said that the Centre would ensure that such incidents do not recur.