A three-member committee of the Press Council of India will conduct a public hearing on Tuesday against the alleged anti-media statements of Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao.
The PCI Committee, consisting of Rajeev Ranjan Nag (Convener) and members Krishna Prasad and K Amarnath is visiting Hyderabad on September 16 and 17th.
The Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI) in an order issued on 12th September appointed the committee to enquire into:
1. Whether the CM of Telangana made the statements attributed to him that he would break the necks and bury underground media persons and that they should salute the Telangana people if they wish to live in Telangana, and whether this violates Article 19 (1) (a), (e) and (g) of the constitution?
2. Whether there is any threat perception to the media in Telangana an its free functioning?
3. What steps are necessary for the protection of the media in Telangana in discharging its duties to the public?
In a statement issued here on Monday, the Committee's Convener said that the public hearing will be held at Samagamam Hall, The Plaza Hotel, beside CM Camp Office, Begumpet, Hyderabad from 3 PM on Tuesday.
He requested senior journalists, Editors, representatives of the journalists' organiziations or anybody concerned over the issue to attend the hearing and give their evidence or perceptions on the points mentioned above.
He said the Committee has sought appointments with Chief Secretary, the Director General of .Police and Chief Minister of Telangana to elicit their views on the points of !reference made to the committee.
Rajeev Rajan Nag said the Committee would also go to Warangal on Wednesday to gather whether the reported statements attributed to the Chief Minister of Telangana were true.
