Government will not control media: I&B minister

Hours after the expulsion of members of Parliament caught accepting bribes in a TV sting operation, the government on Friday said it has no intention of controlling the working of the fourth estate and welcomed the revelations.

"We do not try to encroach on any authority or rights of the media. If there is any violation, that can be addressed by the appropriate forum which is the Press Council of India and certainly not the Parliament," Parliamentary Affairs, and Information and Broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Dasmunshi told reporters in New Delhi at the end of the month-long Parliament session.

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However, he made clear that if any attempts were made to breach sensitive security zones, the government could consider taking action.

Dasmunshi, who took over the reins of the I&B ministry recently from Jaipal Reddy, said, "Any regulation and control is contrary to fundamental rights of the media."

"Any kind of operations which can expose the politicians is welcome," he added.

Dasmunshi also thanked the media for reporting on the various activities deliberated in both the houses of the Parliament.