Congress, Left parties say government trying to stifle media freedom

The Congress and Left parties came down hard on the government for the punitive action, calling the clampdown "stifling of media freedom".

In Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan termed the ban a "dangerous trend" and added it was an indication of the coming dangers.

"The Centre has made an infringement into the freedom of the press, crossing all limits. There is a threat that if anybody criticises RSS and Sangh Parivar, they will be taught a lesson," he said in a statement.

Asianet News Editor M G Radhakrishnan said management of the channel contacted the Information and Broadcasting Ministry after the ban was imposed and spoken with relevant people explaining its position on the matter.

Media One Editor-in-chief C L Thomas said his channel had not reached out to the government and the ministry "suo motu" revoked the ban. "We were proceeding for legal action.

Today we got the information that the ban has been revoked, so we did not go ahead with the legal proceedings. We did not contact anyone in the ministry, the government suo motu lifted the ban," Thomas said.

The ministry's suspension order for Media One had said, "Channel's reporting on Delhi violence seems to be biased as it is deliberately focusing on the vandalism of CAA supporters.

It also questions RSS and alleges Delhi Police inaction. Channel seems to be critical towards Delhi Police and RSS." "We are happy that the ministry has suo motu lifted the ban.

We will continue on the same path we have been following and upholding the classical values of journalism," Thomas said.

Radhakrishnan said the channel's management spoke with the I&B ministry in an effort to "convince them". "They (management) seemed to have succeeded in their attempt. Since it was night there was no time for making any formal application.

They spoke with all the people concerned in the ministry and convinced them. That is what the minister has also come out saying today," he said. "There was no apology made from our side. The reporting was all factual," Radhakrishnan said.

Asianet News is indirectly owned by BJP Rajya Sabha member Rajeev Chandrasekhar. There was no official word or comment from the ministry on what transpired between the time the ban was imposed till it was lifted and officials said they had nothing to add to what the minister said.