Editors Guild asks Kerala to revoke directive imposing 'restrictions' on media

A controversy erupted over the Kerala government issuing guidelines on media's interaction with the chief minister, cabinet ministers and celebrities within the Secretariat and other public places.

According to the circular issued by Additional Chief Secretary Subrata Biswas, the chief minister and ministers would inform the Public Relations Department (PRD) in advance, if they are planning to interact with media at public venues.

The Guild, in a statement, said that the circular issued by the Kerala state Home Department on November 15 is a "brazen attempt" at restraining the movement of media persons while they are discharging their professional duties.

It urged the state government to revoke the circular without any delay.

The circular prevents the media from approaching the chief minister, other ministers and higher officials except through the Information and Public Relations department of the state, the Guild noted.

"This is regressive and a direct assault on press freedom as it forbids journalists from seeking comments from ministers and senior officials, imposes curbs in their movement inside the government secretariat and makes senior government representatives attending public functions out of bounds for them," it said.

The circular had said media creates "unnecessary crowd" at airports, railway stations, guest houses and other public places to get response from prominent persons on various issues.