PCI Slams AP For Preventing Press Meet Of Film Producer, Director

Hyderabad/Vijayawada, May 18 (Maxim News): PCI slammed Andhra Pradesh Police for preventing prominent film Director Ramgopal Varma and producer Rakesh Reddy of “Lakshmi’s NTR”, a biopic on former chief minister, TDP founder and thespian N T Rama Rao in Vijayawada on April 26. The PCI opined it as amounted to unfair restriction on freedom of expression and pre-censorship on the media.

The Press Council acted on a complaint moved by IJU senior leader and former member of PCI K Amarnath. The Council secretary Anupama Bhatnagar issued notices to the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police of Andhra Pradesh and Commissioner of Police of Vijayawada, general managers of Hotel Ilapuram and Novotel in Vijayawada as the matter prima-facie concerned the free functioning of the Press.

PCI Chairman Justice C K Prasad viewed the incident with concern and asked the Andhra Pradesh government, the State police and the two hotels to file replies within two weeks.

In his complaint, K Amarnath said prevention of film director Ramagopal Varma and producer Rakesh Reddy from holding a press conference was “a clear case of intimidation and an attack on the freedom of expression. It is also an attempt to curtail freedom of the press and impose pre-censorship and denial of the people’s right to information”, the complainant said. He also said, “Apparently the two hotels Novotel and Ilapuram denied booking of a hall to hold press conference due to pressure from the police and the ruling party”. (Maxim News)