Indian Newspaper Society expresses objection to Telangana CM's media remark

NEW DELH: In the wake of reported comments made by Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao with regard to the media, the Indian Newspaper Society today said it would resist any efforts made to intimidate or harass its member publications.

"Any persons with grievance against a publication has legal remedies available for redress. But acts of intimidation and threats of the kind reportedly issue by Rao have no place in a democratic society, especially when they emanate from a person holding a high position."

"The Society would resist with all the resources at its command any efforts to intimidate or harass member publications," its said in a statement issued today.

INS said it has noted with "alarm" the statements about media made reportedly by Rao.

During a function in Telangana's Warangal on September 9, Rao had reportedly said, "If anybody tries to denigrate or hurt the self-respect of Telangana, Telangana Assembly, Telangana culture... we will break their necks. Be careful. Beware or else we will bury you 10 km (under the earth)."

The statement from the Telangana Chief Minister came after the Association of Telangana Multiple System Operators (cable TV operators) blocked the transmission of TV channels ABN Andhra Jyothi and TV9 since June 16, alleging that they had aired programmes "denigrating the Telangana dialect, sentiment and hurting the feelings" of the people of the state.