The arrest of senior journalist and popular news anchor Kommineni Srinivas Rao of Sakshi Telugu television news channel over a controversial debate on the Amaravati capital issue has once again sparked discussions about the declining credibility and sanctity of Telugu journalism.
The controversy erupted after a guest, Krishnam Raju — reportedly aligned with the Jagan camp — made deeply offensive remarks, calling Amaravati the “capital of prostitutes” and an “AIDS capital,” apparently targeting Chandrababu Naidu’s vision for the city.
Shockingly, these vulgar comments were neither stopped nor condemned by debate host Kommineni. Instead, he merely warned Krishnam Raju that he might face trolling for the remarks — indicating that he understood their inappropriateness but still failed to take corrective action.
Kommineni, a seasoned journalist known for his direct and principled commentary, has been criticized for failing to uphold basic ethical standards.
Sakshi TV’s management also came under fire for not taking responsibility or issuing an apology, choosing instead to distance themselves by stating that the guest’s views were personal.
This incident has reignited a broader debate about whether the political climate in Andhra Pradesh allows space for genuine journalistic freedom.
It underscores how journalists, bureaucrats, and professionals are being used — or targeted — as tools in the ongoing political battles between the TDP and YSRCP.
The dangerously stigmatizing language used to describe women in the Amaravati region reflects the extent to which standards in Telugu journalism have declined under political patronage.
Such sweeping and derogatory generalizations — branding all local women as sex workers or HIV-positive — are utterly unacceptable and deeply condemnable.
It’s not just Sakshi or Kommineni at the center of this debate. Other media outlets like TV5, ABN, and ETV have also displayed a clear pro-Telugu Desam Party bias and are known for their slanderous attacks on rival parties.
Sakshi is under particular scrutiny because it is owned by Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy. The perception is that rival channels and parties have politically capitalized on this episode to discredit Sakshi and push for sanctions.
Ultimately, the incident underscores that media freedom is not absolute. While the Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, it also imposes reasonable restrictions. When ethical and legal lines are crossed — especially in politically volatile contexts — consequences are inevitable.
