Sakshi

Media freedom is the bedrock of India's democracy. Over the years, our free Press has braved many a grim challenge and has been a torch-bearer of values that define media standards. The freezing of the accounts of the Sakshi media Group by the CBI on Tuesday is a brazen attempt to gag the Media, It is also a clear move to muzzle and stifle the voice of of the most popular News paper and television channel in Telugu.The Sakshi newspaper published in Telugu has a Total Readership of 1.42 cores (Data as per IRS 2011 Q4 ) and the television channel has a viewership of over 2 crores.You would be shocked to know that the very next day GO RT No 2097 d 9.5.2012 was issued by General Administration Department by which it puts on hold GO MS No 226 GM (I and PR) Dt 24.4.2008. This GO withholds advertisements and notifications from being released to Sakshi Newspaper and Indira Television.The act of taking steps towards stopping the release of Government advertsements to the Sakshi Media Group were reported in Deccan Chronicle on the 30th of April and information about this GO being drafted much ahead of the CBI order freezing the accounts of Sakshi clearly indicates a conspiracy.The very magnitude of this manipulative agenda is shocking and shameful.We know that we will overcome this challenge mindful of the support of millions of people who are with the Sakshi and truth will triumph in the end. ..This assault on Press freedom must stop now. Every signature must be made to count, every voice heard, if freedom of the Press as enshrined in our Constitution has to survive. Sign now.