Media Opposition to Rajasthan Ordinance

Rajasthan Government ordinance restricting news publication connected to government officers, judges, and magistrates has created much unrest in Journalistic circles.There is widespread resentment over this, because such news required prior permission and it may take upto 6 months time to get such permission .Editors Guild of India requested the state government to take back this ordinance as it might harass media; and also assured that they will follow balanced, impartial responsible publication of news.

They are opposing because if reporters write news of public interest it may attract jail term for them too. State Government which brought a bill in the place of the ordinance had to face resistance from opposition party congress and some ruling party MLAs also.State Congress president Sachin Pilot was prevented from arranging public rally over this by police.

Cheif minister Vasundhara Raje after sensing the widespread criticism over this seems to have shown resilience.CM could have asked the senior bureaucrats, ministers to rethink and modify the same so that others may not call it draconian like strong words.She also noted that already some public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in Rajasthan High court.

A judge requires the sanction of government if he wants to order an investigation against a public servant because of this order.Though this was issued a month before as it came as a bill in assembly, the whole matter came out now .some BJP MLA called it black law and compared it with that of emergency situation.This also could have prompted the CM to think of dilution of the words in that law.