Kerala Journalists' Union protest media ban in Delhi

Protesting against govt's order banning two Malayalam media channels from telecasting news for 48 hours, the Kerala Working Journalists' Union and Delhi Union of Journalists staged a protest march against the I&B Ministry. Around 50 Journalists including Malayalam, Hindi and English have staged a march from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar.

New Delhi:The Kerala Union of Working Journalists and Delhi Union of Journalists on Saturday staged protest against Information and Broadcasting Ministry for suspending to Malayalam media channels from telecasting news for 48 hours.

Around 50 Journalists including Malayalam, Hindi and English have staged a march from Kerala House to Jantar Mantar. The Journalists have raised slogans against I&B and Union Government for banning two Malayalam news channels' for 48 hours.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Jigeesh AM, Secretary, Delhi Union Of Journalists said the move of I&B is against press freedom.

"Suspending news channels for telecasting news is absolutely against the press freedom. The I&B claims that the ban has been initiated since the news channels have blamed RSS and Delhi Police. Even the Delhi High Court has expressed its dissatisfaction over Delhi Police. So, this development is unprecedented, historic and it's against fourth estate of the democracy," Jigeesh said.

He further said I&B Minister Prakash Javdekar's statement regarding the ban is unacceptable.

"As Asianet News and Media One have done an extensive coverage about the Delhi riots, the Union Government was disturbed with that. So, they have banned the broadcast. However, the I&B minister says that the order has been revoked. It was revoked only after the people raised world wide voice against this ban," the newsman added.

M A Baby, Polit Bureau Member, CPI(M), KUWJ, Delhi office bearers have also taken part in the protest.