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On media freedom

The recent happenings in Andhra Pradesh have come as a rude shock to those who believe in the freedom of the press and accountability of those holding public offices. Although the Rajasekhara Reddy Government was forced to beat a hasty retreat and withdraw the ill-conceived anti-media Government Order, the Chief Minister's attempt to downplay the issue by passing the buck is most outrageous and irresponsible. What is worse is his Government's argument that action against Margadarsi Financiers should not be seen as an attack on media freedom. Assuming that it is true, what was the motive behind issuing the order seeking to empower Special Commissioner, Information and Public Relations, to initiate legal proceedings against newspapers?

Manthina Ugandhar,
Visakhapatnam

Dr. Reddy has contended that as soon as he came to know that GO 938 contained some "embarrassing provisions," he issued instructions to withdraw it. Earlier too, his Government claimed that he and his family members purchased lands not knowing that they were assigned lands. Both the instances reflect Dr. Reddy's belief in the theory that ignorance is no crime. Whether it is becoming of a Chief Minister to plead thus does not seem to bother him in the least. If his line of reasoning clicks, it may well become a new strategy in our statecraft.

M.S. Ramakrishna,
Secunderabad

It is strange that Dr. Reddy sees a lurking ghost in the case of Margadarsi, even though the RBI has given a clean chit to it. The company has established an escrow to meet any eventuality. Till now, no depositor has complained against it. Why is the Government so keen on protecting the interests of the depositors when they are sufficiently insulated? Its action seems to be a veiled attempt to maim or cripple the freedom of Eenadu, which has systematically exposed its corruption.

G. Jayapal,
Kurnool

The GO, withdrawn under immense pressure, was a draconian measure aimed at shackling the media. Such orders have no place in a healthy democracy like ours where the people are the ultimate judges.

Khaja Hameeduddin,
Hyderabad

Unable to bear criticism from all quarters, Dr. Reddy has withdrawn the order. He would have done better to take media criticism in a positive way instead of issuing an order seeking to curb the media and withdrawing it in haste. There should be adequate provisions in law to prevent the issue of such orders in future.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,
Vazhavallan, T.N.

It is said that eternal vigilance is the price of liberty. But these days, eternal vigilance seems to invite the eternal wrath of those in power. Instead of the media keeping a watch, a watch is being kept on the media. The rulers seem to believe that they can do no wrong.

M.L. Kantha Rao,
Hyderabad

Issuing a GO, disowning it and pleading innocence on the floor of the Assembly, and subsequently withdrawing it making a poor official scapegoat for the entire muddle — all this shows that the Chief Minister is fighting a losing battle. In the process, his credibility is being eroded.

The media today are playing a vibrant role in enlightening society. Any attempt to curtail their freedom amounts to choking the voice that speaks the language of sanity and balance. Dr. Reddy should understand that no government can sail smoothly without the support of the media. At the same time, no media can support his misdeeds.

B.R. Pantulu,
Hyderabad

The YSR Government does not seem to have learnt any lesson from the rout suffered by the Congress that imposed press censorship during the Emergency. It is nothing but arrogance that culminated in the issuance of GO 938. Thankfully, wiser counsel prevailed.

Dantu Surya Rao,
Kakinada

The GO might have been withdrawn but the real issue is the politician's instinct to subvert all democratic institutions.

The threat to democracy will continue to lurk as long as the issue is not addressed. I am sure all the politicians who are crying hoarse today about the GO will not hesitate to resort to the same tactics when they are in power. That the inquiry into how the order was issued without the knowledge of the Chief Minister's Office will be conducted by the Chief Secretary — in whose name it was issued — is the height of mockery.

A. Mrinalini,
Hyderabad

The order should not have been withdrawn in haste. The media should have freedom but not absolute freedom. We come across many publications that indulge in blackmail journalism. Newspapers take sides to settle scores, with the innocent people unable to read between the lines.

J. Prabhudas,
Warangal

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