Amid ruckus, Kerala imposes curbs on media in assembly

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Reporters were barred from entering select areas like where the CM's office is located inside the Kerala assembly for the first time when the House sat for its monsoon session on Monday. The media ban came amid tumultuous scenes on Day One of the current assembly session.
Even reporters carrying passes issued by the legislative secretariat were told to stay away from the first floor of the assembly complex that has offices of the Speaker, the CM, the opposition leader and several ministers. Access was restricted to the media room or inside the assembly hall.
Speaker MB Rajesh said that no such instructions have been given. "I had intervened immediately when the matter came to my notice. Strict instructions have been given to the watch and ward not to prevent media persons from entering any offices in the assembly complex," Rajesh said.
On behalf of the opposition, UDF parliamentary party secretary PC Vishnunath wrote to the Speaker to withdraw the media ban.