Open debate, introspection on defamatory news needed: AAP

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) which has been strongly criticised for its controversial circular about "defamatory" news said here today that a few media houses give "unnecessary publicity" to "petty issues" against it, due to which there should be an open debate and introspection on the matter.
"Since the AAP formed a government in Delhi, few things have been given unnecessary publicity in order to create a controversy. This indicates that there is some conspiracy going on somewhere. Petty things are being magnified.
"I am not talking about the entire media, but a few of them are involved in it. The media should introspect and initiate an open debate on the matter," AAP's National Spokesman Sanjay Singh told reporters at the Indore Press Club.

Incidentally, the AAP-led Delhi government has faced flak from opposition parties over the circular directing officials to inform the Principal Secretary (Home) whenever they come across any news which may harm the image of the Delhi Chief Minister or ministers, so that "anti-defamatory action" could be considered.
Singh flatly denied allegations that the AAP government is worried about not fulfilling promises and is therefore trying to gag the media.
"We are not running away from questions. We are working on the agenda of fulfilling our promises made to the people. A television news channel said in its survey said that Kejriwal is the most popular chief minister in the country," he said.

Singh also refuted charges of former AAP leaders who had said that Kejriwal has a dictator's mindset.
"There is no truth in such allegations. Those who work with Kejriwal don't believe that he is a person with a dictatorial attitude. A perception is artificially being created against us," he said.
Targeting the BJP-led NDA government, Singh said it has failed to rein in inflation and corruption or bring back black money stashed away in foreign banks.