The UT government has decided to regulate the functioning of the tabloids that were being published from Puducherry.
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of MLAs convened by Speaker of the Territorial Assembly V Sabapathy and Chief Minister N Rangasamy here on Monday Twenty-one MLAs from various parties, including AIADMK, DMK, Congress and AINRC, who participated in the meeting, together sought action to curb publication of scurrilous articles against MLAs, officials and others.
The legislators alleged that some publications were indulging in blackmail and extortion through publication of abusive and derogatory articles with little or no element of truth about MLAs or their family. Publication of such reports was exclusive to Puducherry and not other states, claimed some MLAs. The members sought the government to exercise control on such tabloids by monitoring their functioning and keeping a check on them, as to whether they were adhering to the norms laid down by the Press Council of India (PCI). The violations should be referred to PCI for appropriate action, they suggested.
Some MLAs wanted the government to stop encouraging such tabloids, by way of restricting government advertisements to them.
They also urged the government to ensure security to the MLAs and their family members as well as officials against unscrupulous persons .Some members wanted the matter to be referred to the privilege committee. The Chief Secretary M Sathiyavathy also participated in the meeting.
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