Chief Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy on Sunday threatened to bring in a law to regulate television news channels that were allegedly engaged in disgracing the image of politicians.
Speaking after releasing the books ‘Samudayada Nayakaru’ and ‘Samajamukhi Srisamanyaru’, authored by journalist Amshi Prasanna Kumar and brought out by Mysuru district Kannada Sahitya Parishat, Mr. Kumaraswamy singled out television news channels for becoming increasingly obsessive with political developments and making a mockery of politicians, while lauding the sanity and responsibility retained by the print media.
“Why are you using us every day to run your television channels? Why do you have to pick only on us to fill your airtime? What do you think about us politicians? Are we freely available? Who gave you the power to humiliate us,” a visibly upset Chief Minister asked.
He, however, said he does not blame the reporters for the state of news channels. He asked the owners to close down the channels if they are unable to telecast content that can help achieve the progress of the State.
He cited the example of a report in The Hindu on the plight of arecanut farmers in Davangere, who are ferrying water in tankers from several kilometres away to save their palms.
“Show us these type of reports. Let us know the plight of farmers,” Mr. Kumaraswamy said, while reminding the media that their responsibilities were as much as that of politicians in upholding in the interests of the State.
He accused the television channels of running shows as per their fancies and imagination and ruining the interests of the State. Justifying his decision of not meeting the media, he said: “I’m not meeting the media since the last one month. Today also, I did not see you. You can do whatever you want.”