Andaman media fraternity to launch agitation

Port Blair, Jan 02 (UNI) The media fraternity in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands has resolved to launch an agitation, alleging that the administration was trying to supress the freedom of the press.

A joint meeting of all the media units in the islands was held here recently, to chalk out strategies to counter the administration's ''attack on the media''.

The meeting of the media representatives stated that the administration was becoming ''increasingly hostile towards the media for publishing facts about its various shortcomings.'' Recently, the Andaman and Nicobar administration had decided to stop advertisements and withdraw other benefits for a local English daily of the islands.

''The newspaper had published articles against the administration's faulty recruitment process and also provided documentary evidences. To stop the newspaper from publishing the truth and keep the general public in the dark, the administration has taken this vindictive step,'' one of the mediapersons said.

He added that the local scribes were planning to stop covering all government programmes in the islands in the future.

Meanwhile, the media representatives decided to meet Andaman and Nicobar Islands Lt Governor Bhopinder Singh and submit a memorandum.

However, when contacted, none of top officials of the administration were available for comment.

UNI SKR DPM AB 1401