Naidu has no respect for freedom of press

Hyderabad, June 13, 2013: Taking strong objection to the remarks of Chandrababu Naidu to boycott
a section of media, YSR Congress has said it is an attack on the freedom of
press and such comments come from persons who do not have any belief in the
functioning of a democracy.

“Chandrababu Naidu asking journalists belonging to the media house owned
by YS Jagan Mohan Reddy not to attend his meetings is outrageous and a direct
attack on the freedom of press,” Party spokesperson Jupudi Prabhakar told
reporters here on Thursday.

If the TDP leader has any issues with the management of the media house,
it can be fought at a different level, but asking the working journalists not
to cover his party events amounts to sheer disrespect to the Fourth Estate,
parliamentary procedures and sovereignty of the country.

“All media need not project news the way Naidu wanted it to be
projected. Perspectives differ and it is outright silly to show personal likes
and dislikes so blatantly.

News is sacred and comment is free.

YSR Congress is different to Sakshi media group. News of Chandababu
Naidu padayatra and TDP Mahanadu was covered by Sakshi as well. Naidu need not
be so paranoid about the media house that has professional ethics,” Prabhakar
said.

YSR had never objected to media that was giving negative reports as he
respected freedom of press unlike N Chandrababu Naidu who contributed his mite
in the Government issuing GO to ban advertisement to Sakshi media house, he
said.

Naidu’s remarks are nothing short of lack of faith in democratic values and
freedom of speech, he said.