The Hindu 30.07.2009
Media barred from JNNURM review meetings in Mysore
Special Correspondent
The reason is distortion of facts to mislead people
‘Arrangements to brief the media
will be made’
MYSORE: The authorities have barred the media from covering the review meetings under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
The reason is distortion of facts and misrepresenting views to mislead the public.
The scribes were barred from covering the weekly JNNURM review meeting on Wednesday and the officials said that a decision in this regard had been taken as the media was sensationalising the proceedings while ignoring the crux of the issue.
The main grouse of the officials was that the project review meetings were not being properly highlighted and the officials were being projected in bad light which was sending wrong signals to the public.
The ban on media’s presence comes when there is a demand for greater transparency and free flow of information about the work in progress under JNNURM.
When some presspersons protested, Mayor Purushottam tried to prevail upon the officials who were upset over “misrepresentation of facts”. In fact, a circular was issued to the scribes present explaining why their presence was not necessary and they were asked to sign a register acknowledging the receipt.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner P. Manivannan, who is also the special officer in-charge of JNNURM, said they would review the decision or make alternative arrangements to brief the media.
