Kejriwal's defamation notice 'subtle attack' on freedom of press: CPI

Communist Party of India (CPI) leader D. Raja on Sunday dubbed Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's defamation diktat on the media as a 'subtle attack' on the freedom of press.

Raja added that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief cannot issue a 'hidden threat' in the name of giving instructions to ministers and officials.

"The Delhi Government cannot give instructions to ministers andofficials by issuing some kind of a hidden threat to the media or some kind of subtle attack on the freedom of the press," he said.

On being asked about press being questioned, D. Raja stressed on the need for it to uphold the credibility and integrity of its reporting.

"On one hand, we should defend the freedom of press and on the other hand, we should also see that press upholds the credibility and integrity of its reporting," he said.

"This kind of order is not something new. If there is any false report that defames the government or a particular minister or anybody, the law allows them to challenge it and go to the court," he added.

Kejriwal had earlier urged officials with the Delhi Government to lodge complaints against 'defamatory' news items which 'damage the reputation' of the government with the Principal Secretary of the Home Ministry.