Guwahati: Media bodies in Assam have sharply reacted to a provision in the draft law - Assam Prevention of Unconstitutional Bandh Act, 2013 that allegedly “curbs media freedom in the name of putting an end to the bandh culture”.
The Journalists Union of Assam (JUA), Assam State Committee of Association of Small and Medium Newspapepers of India and The Assam Tribune Employees Union in a statement here today reacted to the draft of the Act published by the Assam Government.
“The draft bill is nothing but gagging of media freedom and denying the fundamental right of freedom of speech guaranteed by the Constitution of India. This draft bill is as draconian as the Bihar Press Bill and Tamil Nadu Press Control Bill,” said the leaders of the journalists and media workers bodies.
“We have nothing to say on the merit of the law in banning bandh in the state. Bandhs affect everybody and if the government wants to control the menace they can do that. However, censoring the media or curbing the freedom of expression in the name of controlling the bandh culture will affect the democratic structure of the society,” they said.
