Media boycotts AAP government press briefing

Upset at not being allowed entry to the Delhi Secretariat, journalists Monday boycotted a press conference by new Health Minister Satyendra Jain, who was to brief them on health issues before the Aam Aadmi Party government.

Newsmen were taken aback when they were denied entry into the secretariat complex - which they are normally allowed. They were instead asked to wait in the designated media room.

When Jain arrived for the media conference, two-and-half hours later than scheduled, angry reporters, especially from the electronic media, refused to broadcast the event.

They asked Jain to explain the government action in denying them entry to the secretariat building.

Later, senior AAP leader and Urban Development Minister Manish Sisodia - himself a former journalist - came and held an informal discussion with the journalists.

Sisodia assured them that the government would not do anything which would end transparency in its functioning.