No move to gag the media: Mukul Sangma

Meghalaya Chief minister Mukul Sangma today allayed fears over his government's attempts to muzzle the media by legislating laws to regulate their functioning.
"My government will make all efforts to uphold the freedom of expression as per the Constitution," he said during an interaction with media at the State Convention Centre here.
Sangma, who scotched speculation of his government mulling any move to gag the press, asserted his regime was always open to constructive criticism but urged the media to accept criticism too.
He also appealed to the media to exercise greater self regulation to check certain elements at work to impede the growth of the state.

Sangma had made a statement on the floor of the Assembly on March 21 accusing the media of promoting interests of militant groups. He had accused the media organisations as "publicity houses of terrorist organisations" during his address expressing displeasure about "excessive" media coverage being given to militant outfits and their statements.
Today, he referred to difficulties in withdrawing the statement here since it was made on the floor of the House.

The Chief Minister's interaction today was the first in one month since the media had called for a boycott of his programmes.
Speaking on behalf of media personnel, Shillong Press Club president David Laitphlang thanked the chief minister for inviting the scribes for the interaction to end the "deadlock", which, he said, affected dissemination of important information to the public.

Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Editors and Publishers' Association (MEPA), which had first called a boycott of the chief minister's programmes, declined an invitation from the CM to discuss the issue citing "lack of clarity on agenda" of the meeting.