A new Telugu daily, Praja Paksham, published by Nava Chetana Vignana Samiti was launched at a function attended by CPI general secretary S. Sudhakar Reddy here on Monday .
Mr. Reddy said it was a question of survival for newspapers and the electronic medium under the TRS government. Citing an example, he said the Editor of a Urdu daily tried to launch a TV channel to air anti-government news with an investment of ₹4 crore but the government bought it over for ₹8 crore. TPCC president N. Uttam Kumar Reddy regretted that Telugu newspapers and channels turned subservient to ruling parties. He blamed the family of caretaker Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao for forcing Praja Paksham Editor K. Srinivas Reddy to quit his previous assignment as Editor of Mana Telangana.
Telangana TDP president L. Ramana said the government led by grand alliance comprising Congress, TDP, Telangana Jana Samiti (TJS) and CPI, if voted to power, would hold meetings with editors of newspapers every quarterly or half yearly to get feedback on its programmes. TJS president M. Kodandaram highlighted the protests against TRS candidates when they visited villages for election campaign. Press Council of India member D. Amar expressed the apprehension that people who voiced public concern faced the danger of landing in jail if the TRS was returned to power.
Editor K. Srinivas Reddy said the recent public meeting of Congress president Rahul Gandhi was telecast for seven to ten minutes by four TV channels whereas the press conference of Industries Minister K. T. Rama Rao to counter the argument of Mr. Gandhi later was telecast live from start to the end by these channels.