There is an undeclared Emergency on media: Congress

The Congress on Wednesday said there is an "undeclared Emergency" on radio, television and newspapers in the country, after reports that public broadcaster Prasar Bharati had censored the Independence Day speech of Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar.

"I was listening to radio news bulletin last night (Tuesday) to test how much independent the government-run media and radio are.

"The bulletin talked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, it also spoke about the speeches by chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh," said senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad.

"Then in the middle the bulletin just made a passing reference that West Bengal Chief Minister hoisted the flag without even taking her name. It also talked about the Lieutenant Governors of Andaman and Nicobar Island and also took the names of two other LGs," he added.

"It did not take the name of West Bengal's Chief Minister. It is a matter of shame that they are being selective in taking the names of Chief Ministers so openly," Azad said.

"Today, there is an undeclared Emergency on radio, television and newspapers," he added.

Azad also said: "With each passing day, it has become very hard for the opposition parties to make their voices reach the people of the country. This type of censorship is not seen anywhere in the world. This is shameful for this government.

"Why don't they declare Emergency straightaway for the news censorship of the media? We will at least have some solace and satisfaction that nothing can come because there is Emergency. Nothing will appear because this is prohibited," he added.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sarkar on Wednesday condemned the censorship of his Independence Day speech by national broadcaster Prasar Bharati and termed it an "undemocratic, autocratic and intolerant step".

Prasar Bharati on Wednesday refuted it as "totally incorrect".

--IANS

sid-akk/rn