INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
NEW DELHI: Days after INDIA announced its decision to boycott the shows of 14 TV anchors and some people in the media who are "supporting
the government and destroying the face of opposition", Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Saturday said he has no idea about the matter,
adding "I support journalists".Asked to comment on INDIA alliance's announcement, Kumar told reporters: "I have no idea about this ...I am
in support of journalists
When everyone gets full freedom, journalists will write what they like
Are they controlled? Have I ever done it? They have rights, I am not against anyone."Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Friday had
defended INDIA's decision to boycott the shows: "Media is the protector of democracy
The role of the media is to correct the mistakes of the government
Similarly, the media used to support the opposition to express their views
But unfortunately, some people in the media are supporting the government and destroying the face of opposition.""This is sponsored
journalism for the PM Modi-led government, that is why the INDIA alliance has taken this decision," he added.The Bihar CM, however, seemed
to be not on the same page."Right now those who are at the Centre have controlled a few people ..
Those who are with us must have felt that something is happening
However, I am not against anyone
If journalists have full freedom, they will write what they like
Everyone has their rights," he said on SaturdayAttack against media: BJPEarlier in the day, BJP national spokesperson Sambit Patra launched
a scathing attack against INDIA for the boycott."The decision to boycott 14 TV anchors was taken by the INDIA bloc's media committee on
Calling it "contempt against media," Patra said this is hatred against free journalism
"These political parties have never believed in the freedom of the media or freedom of expression," he said.Further, slamming the INDIA bloc
for releasing the list, Patra said that "by releasing this boycott list, they have put the lives of these journalists in danger." Patra
said, "This is not a boycott list, but this is a target list
They are going to file an FIR against these journalists
They will harass these journalists," he said
Who will take responsibility for any of your party workers who attack these journalists?" he added.(With inputs from agencies)
