more-inIn a move that has evoked sharp criticism from journalists, a House Committee of the Legislative Assembly was set up to frame rules and regulations for the news media on Wednesday. Koliwad announced the formation of the House Committee to draw ‘Lakshman Rekha’ for the electronic media and thereby preventing them from sensationalising trivial family disputes, crime, and ghost stories for increasing TRP (television rating point). Mr. Koliwad said terms and conditions of the House Committee would be framed, keeping in mind media freedom guaranteed under the Constitution, for restricting media from telecasting news “arbitrarily”. But was the media performing this role sincerely and properly, he asked. Krishna Prasad, Member, Press Council of India, said: “This is a brazen all-party attempt to muzzle the media in an election year.” He added: “Hopefully the media will join hands to oppose the bid to scuttle media freedom.”

Source: The Hindu March 22, 2017 19:07 UTC