Commenting on Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde's remark about crushing elements of the media that were spreading false propaganda about the Congress, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari on Tuesday said the UPA Government has never targeted any reporter or media house over their criticisms, and added that it is the opposition and other political parties which repeatedly threatens the media.
"The Union Home Minister has given a clarification on his statement. I think, there is nothing left beyond this," Tewari said in response to a query regarding Shinde's remark.
"But, the main point is that in the last ten years, the UPA Government has generated a liberalist environment in the entire country," he added.
He also said that as far as the media is concerned, the government has never targeted any reporter or any media house despite their fair or unfair criticism.
"But, in contrast, the opposition and other political parties have always reacted violently to the criticism of the media. They try to put a pressure on the media," he added.
Earlier today, Shinde on Tuesday clarified his remarks, and said they were directed towards the social media.
"My comments were on social media. It was with regard to the issue related to the Northeast students who were being targeted in Hyderabad and Karnataka. It was not on journalists," Shinde
Shinde on Monday had said: "Certain elements in the media orchestrate 'nasty designs'. Since I'm also in charge of the intelligence wing, I know where this is coming from."
"We have been working silently to place checks on them, but there was a campaign from them over the past four months. We are now going to crush these elements in the electronic media spreading false propaganda," Shinde said at a Youth Congress event in Maharashtra's Solapur District.
