Writ challenges SCB M C Hospital's diktat on journalists

A writ petition was filed in Orissa High Court today seeking to quash last month's circular issued by the SCB Medical College Hospital authorities restricting the entry of media representatives in its campus.
An advocate Nishikanta Mishra has filed the writ challenging the Hospital superintendent's order and termed it "unconstitutional" and an attempt to suppress the deeds of the Hospital administration from public.
The Superintendent Dr Shyama Kanungo on June 28 issued the circular banning the entry of both electronic and print media journalists in the hospital sans permission from her.
The local reporters submitted a memorandum to the revenue divisional commissioner (RDC) demanding the decision be revoked.

The state government, however, has not taken any step to address the issue as the hospital remained out of bound for the media for over a fortnight now.
Meanwhile, a local reporter also filed an application before the State Human Rights Commission, alleging that the superintendent has misused her official power by infringing on the rights of journalists.