Criticism of NDTV ban politically inspired, says idu

Cheni, Nov 5: Stressing that the BJP and the Centre have the highest regard for media and its freedom, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister M. Venkaiah idu on Saturday termed criticism of the one-day ban on NDTV India channel as “ill informed and politically inspired”.  Reacting to the criticism of the government’s decision on the ban, idu said: “I am happy to note that the people of the country are broadly with the decision in the matter of NDTV India.” “Always, there will be a minority who are critical of whatever the government does in the best interest of the country,” idu said. “The belated criticism of the action, proposed to be taken against NDTV India for violating the norms of live coverage of anti-terrorist operations by the security personnel in Pathankot in January, is clearly ill informed and politically inspired.” He said the reactions that came a day after the government’s decision on November 3, were “clearly an after-thought, suggesting a motivated design to create a controversy where none existed”.  (IANS)