YS Jagan Mohan Reddy led Andhra Pradesh government on 30th of October issued an order saying secretaries of respective departments are now given permission to lodge cases against news media houses including social media.
According to Order, “orders were issued to accord permission to the Special Commissioner, Information and Public Relations to lodge complaint and file defamation cases through the Special Public Prosecutor against the publishers and editors and to initiate legal action.”
“Instances have come to the notice of the Government that certain print, electronic and Social Media are deliberately trying to tarnish the image of Government and Government officials by spreading false, baseless, and defamatory news with mala fide interest,” the Order stated.
“After careful examination of the matter, Government hereby accord permission to delegate powers to the Secretaries of respective Departments to issue rejoinders, file complaints and lodge appropriate cases, if need be, through public prosecutor against defamatory news items published/telecast/posted in print/electronic/social media pertaining to their respective departments after following due process of law,” it added.
The Order further stated, “all secretaries in the departments of Andhra Pradesh Secretariat shall take necessary action accordingly.”
