Telangana CM KCR Accused of Threatening Journalists, the Scribes Condemn Comments

In the same press was found, which behaved in an allegedly offensive to another journalist who asked the central contribution of the state of implementation of the schemes at the national level during the lockout.

Rao also intimidated the journalist of a well-known Telugu daily newspaper that wrote about the doctors who are facing problems due to the lack of PPE kits. The chief minister later described the report as “false news”.

“Who told you that we don’t have enough EPI kits? Do you know the number of how many PPE kits that we have now? Instead of building strength in the medical fight against the pandemic, which is spreading fear among them. We will take strict action against them,” he said at a press conference on 6 April.

Sreenivas Reddy, a senior journalist and the president of India, Union of Journalists, condemned Rao’s behavior.

“He can ignore the questions if you don’t like. Instead of jumping or not responding to questions, that he has chosen to threaten anyone questioning him, which is not acceptable in a democracy,” said Reddy, adding that the journalists are now afraid to ask the chief minister questions.

In September 2014, after Rao became prime minister after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, he had said, “I will bury you (journalists) to 10 km under earth. I’m going to break their necks and throw them to one side. If someone crosses the limits, they will see their end.”

Senior journalist Revathi Pogadadanda said in a press conference convened by the chief minister ends up as “a humiliation session for the media as KCR and his family control most of the media houses directly or indirectly in Telangana”.

“So the journalists of a handful of independent media outlets that dare to ask questions white,” said Pogadadanda. “The language used for the journalists is reprehensible. The media is afraid to ask about the number of COVID-19 cases.”

The last press conference on Monday, also ended on a rough note. When asked by a reporter Rao on the river Krishna problem, the current issue of the burning between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the prime minister accused him of trying to create a confrontation between the two states. “That’s not going to happen. I can understand your intention. You can’t face KCR, be careful,” he said.

The Committee to protect Journalists (CPJ) has expressed concern over Rao’s recent remarks against journalists. “It is a journalist’s job to ask questions, report news, and inform the public. Journalists should not be threatened simply for doing their job. We urge you to respect the freedom of the press,” said Aliya Iftikhar, senior researcher of the CPJ’s Asia Programme.

The journalists, who were last year banned from entering the Telangana Secretariat, had met with the then Chief Secretary SK Joshi at BRKR Bhavan, in October and submitted a memorandum of lodging their protest. But Joshi had informed them that the decision had been taken by the higher authorities, and had even allegedly advised the journalists to collect information of the responsible of Public relations. Later, several journalists had started their silent protests.