HD Kumaraswamy has repeatedly clashed with the media over a number of issues since taking charge as the Chief Minister of the state.
First he threw tantrums multiple times and said he would boycott the media. But now Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has gone a step ahead and on Sunday claimed that he is planning to bring in restrictions for the electronic media in the state. He made the claim while speaking at a programme in Mysuru. “For whose benefit are you misusing our (politicians) name and bringing news to people? I am discussing bringing in regulations for the media,” he stated.
He further accused television channels of spreading unconfirmed news to improve their TRP (target rating point) ratings. “Yesterday, I saw that there was a meeting between Sa Ra Mahesh, GT Deve Gowda, Revanna and others. This news plays the entire day but in reality, we are in a comfortable position and did not have meetings like this,” he said, referring to suggestions made on news channels that the JD(S) was holding meetings to discuss the political situation in the state. “Do you need only us (politicians) to improve your TRP and channel?” the CM added.
He also said, “The media does not want to highlight people’s woes, but instead wants to focus on sensational false stories. Do you think the government will keep quiet?”
Kumaraswamy, who has not spoken to TV channels in the past month, vowed to continue to ignore television journalists. This is not the first time Kumaraswamy has vowed not to address the media. He has repeatedly clashed with the media over a number of issues since taking charge as the Chief Minister of the state.
Soon after taking charge, Kumaraswamy suggested that a separate room be allocated for journalists to interact with ministers at the Vidhana Soudha, the state secretariat. This was interpreted by many in the media as a way of protecting ministers from being asked uncomfortable questions.
In July 2018, Kumaraswamy blamed the media for trying to divide the state by holding discussions on the demand for a separate North Karnataka state. He has repeatedly complained that his statements have been misrepresented by the media
In October 2018, in a press conference at the Vidhana Soudha, Kumaraswamy lost his cool when a journalist suggested that the Chief Minister has ordered load-shedding in Gulbarga.
Agencies
