BJP to boycott CNN-IBN

NEW DELHI: "Deeply dismayed��� by the decision of CNN-IBN not to telecast the ���notes for votes sting operation���, the BJP said that it ���has been compelled to decide that it will boycott��� CNN-IBN and its affiliates. The party has asked the channel to ���revise its decision��� and telecast the tapes ���without any further delay.���

The boycott will continue till the channel telecasts the unedited tapes of the sting operation. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu said, ���till then no BJP functionary in Delhi or the states will appear on CNN-IBN programmes, whether in studios or outside. The party regrets that instead of upholding the right to information, CNN-IBN has resorted to suppression of truth. The BJP believes that the channel���s decision to withhold tapes from the public seriously compromises the freedom of press.���

The decision to boycott the channel follows the statement put out by the channel on July 30. This statement, the BJP feels, makes it ���virtually clear��� that the channel has ���no intention��� of ���allowing��� the people of India to witness the ���shameful actions of top leaders of the ruling alliance who discarded every norm of public morality to the wind in a desperate bid to save the already tainted Manmohan Singh government.���

The party is of the view that the ���volte-face��� by the channel is due to ���severe pressure from the government and/or certain corporate houses.��� The former party president said that the BJP remained ���deeply committed��� to preserve and protect the freedom of press and that it is ���prepared to assist media organisations withstand government and corporate interference in their working.���