Kolkata, Sep 1 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday said neither he nor his government would adopt a vindictive approach towards the media or journalists, even in the face of sharp, issue-based criticism.
At the same time, he urged media persons to ensure that their reporting did not cross the line between legitimate criticism and coverage that could potentially affect national security.
“You are free to criticise the state government and me. You are free to criticise my statements. You are free to criticise my party as well. I will humbly accept those criticisms. I will never be vindictive for that,” Adhikari told media persons at the state secretariat Nabanna after announcing the new pension schemes for the retired journalists.
The Chief Minister was speaking while announcing new pension schemes for retired journalists. He, however, appealed to the media to remain sensitive while reporting on matters concerning nationalism and national security.
“I also expect the media persons to be sensitive on issues involving nationalism and national security,” he said.
Adhikari said national interest and the country should remain the priority for everyone. Recalling Bengal’s contribution to India’s freedom movement, he said nothing should be done that could weaken the country or create instability.
“Every one of us is aware of the role of Bengal in India's freedom movement. So, we should not do anything that will weaken the country or create instability. That is my hope,” he said.
The Chief Minister also urged journalists to exercise caution while making comments or using phrases that could hurt religious sentiments. He said freedom of speech was a fundamental principle, but added that both the government and the media had a responsibility to ensure that religious sentiments were not unnecessarily hurt.
“There is freedom of speech in our country. While the government should act responsibly so that any particular religious sentiment is not hurt, so should the media persons,” Adhikari said.
He also claimed that the new government had not prevented any community from organising religious functions since taking office. According to him, the government had only introduced rules and regulations governing the conduct of religious ceremonies.
“No media house can give an example of us preventing people from any community from practising their religious beliefs,” he said.
Earlier in the day, speaking at the inauguration of Consumer Rights Protection Week in West Bengal, Adhikari alleged that the state’s Consumer Affairs Department had been neglected under both the previous Left Front and Trinamool Congress governments.
“This department directly has links with the public interest. Both buyers and sellers were being cheated because of the rampant corruption at all levels being institutionalised,” he said.
Adhikari said his government was determined to strengthen the department and make it more effective in protecting consumer interests.
--IANS
