NBA condemns Telangana CM for threatening media

NBA condemns Telangana CM for threatening media

NEW DELHI: The News Broadcasters Association (NBA) has expressed shock at the threats made by the Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao that he would "bury alive television channels that have dared to insult the Telangana assembly, its MLAs, and Telangana self-respect." and “won't hesitate to break their neck and then throw them out.”

 

NBA stated that such remarks by the Chief Minister are a ‘direct attack on the right to freedom of speech and expression enshrined as a fundamental right under Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution.’

 

NBA has appealed to the Chief Minister to desist from making such inflammatory charges against the media and keep the discourse civil and sane.

NBA also condemned the illegal and arbitrary actions by cable operators in switching off some news channels and urged the government to take cognizance of the same and also take necessary action against such cable operators and individuals.

 

Blacking out a licensed channel is an anti democratic action that goes against the Constitutional principles of free speech, the NBA said.

 

Meanwhile, journalists covering functions of the Chief Minister after his remarks covered their mouths with black cloth in a silent protest against the remarks.