Notices to news channels an attempt to muzzle media: CPI(M)

CPI(M) today asked the Government to withdraw show-cause notices issued to three news channels in connection with the coverage of Yakub Memon's hanging, alleging that it was a "brazen" attempt to muzzle the media.
In the editorial of forthcoming issue of its mouthpiece, People's Democracy, former party general secretary Prakash Karat said that the decision implied that the Government intends to exercise censorship on channels.
Karat also accused Information and Broadcasting Ministry, which served the notices, of showing "same intolerance and vindictiveness" being displayed by BJP-RSS.
"The notices asking why licences of the channels concerned should not be suspended is a brazen attempt to muzzle the media. The intention is to exercise censorship of content in the media. Modi government should withdraw the notices forthwith," Karat insisted.

What the Government is objecting to is discussions in which there were criticisms either on the way the trial was conducted, or, the appeals to the judiciary and President were disposed off, he said.
"Instance quoted in one of the notices is where well-known lawyer and NCP leader Majeed Memon criticised the way one of the accused was made approver while Yakub was dealt with severely," he said.

"In no way, can this be construed to be denigrating the judiciary. Any one has the right to criticise a judgement of court; it is only contempt of the court if aspersions are cast on the judge, or, motives ascribed.

"It is not for the Ministry to sit in judgment over what is construed to be denigration of the judiciary," Karat said.
Unhappy with coverage related to hanging of 1993 Mumbai blasts convict Yakub Memon by the leading broadcasters, the Ministry had last week issued show-cause notice to them, asking why action should not be taken against them.