Press Council chief Katju reiterates that press freedom is curtailed in Bihar

Gaya/Patna, Feb 25 (ANI): Press Council of India chairman and former Supreme Court justice Markandey Katju on Saturday stuck to his earlier stand that press freedom is being curtailed in Bihar and in some other states.

Making a comparison between the regimes of Lalu Prasad Yadav and Nitish Kumar, Justice Katju said law and order was better in present but the press enjoyed more freedom uring Lalu's rule.

"Law and order is better in present times, better than during the rule of Lalu Prasad Yadav. But I have received information, that during Lalu ji's time their was relatively more press freedom and than during the present government's time," said Katju.

He further said that journalists and the media organizations are being made to suffer dire consequences for publishing any report against the Bihar Government or any of its ministers or officers.

"If anyone publishes any report against Bihar government or any minister then that journalist is either dismissed from work or transferred by applying pressure on the owner or by stopping the advertisements. Nobody has the courage to write against the government here. And this is wrong because press freedom is a constitutional right," he added.

Responding to Justice Katju's comments, Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav said in Patna that the he was absolutely right.

"Katjuji statement is absolutely right, press freedom is being curtailed and their mouth is being made to shut. Justice Katju talks very frankly. He says the right thing and is not afraid of anyone. We will invite Justice Katju to Patna to honour him for telling the truth about the restrictions on press in Bihar," said Lalu.

Justice Katju had said on Friday that there was a lack of press freedom in Bihar. He was speaking at a seminar in Patna. (ANI)