In one of its first acts after winning the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP banned Media from the Delhi Secretariat. Oral orders were issued as early as last week, to ban Media persons’ entry. At the same time Media Advisor to Arvind Kejriwal, Nagendra Sharma said “Before new government took charge, a circular was already in place which banned the entry of media into the Delhi Secretariat. New government has issued no direction in this regard. Give me one or two days, I will sort out this matter”
On Monday evening, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia attempted to hold a press conference to brief the Media about the Government’s decisions. But the assembled Journalists tried to first seek his response as to why they were not allowed inside. When Sisodia tried to pacify them, they didn’t relent and refused to attend the press conference. Seeing this commotion, Manish Sisodia walked away from the media room and then went towards his office.
In all this it is natural for people like Nagendra Sharma, the CM’s Media Advisor, to come and defend his party. But Tuesday morning we saw AAP “enthusiast” Rajdeep Sardesai take to twitter to put up a defence on behalf of AAP. AAP had on Monday failed to convey anything to the media on this issue, hence maybe Rajdeep took the mantle and tweeted this:
Aap leaders tell me there is no restriction in media centre at secretariat, only certain areas. Will take their word. And remain watchdogs!
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) February 17, 2015
As can be seen, Rajdeep, only based on what AAP leaders told him, was quick to give a clean chit to them, disregarding virtually all the objections of his colleagues in the media. Luckily, one reporter decided to counter Rajdeep’s unofficial spokesman-ship. In a series of tweets, Sonal Mehrotra, a journalist at NDTV, tweeted her first hand experience at the Delhi Secretariat.
.@sharmanagendar @sardesairajdeep not true, we were kept outside on orders! Passes were denied to all media, even to accredited journos
— Sonal Mehrotra (@sonalndtv) February 17, 2015
.@Synaptic_Horror @sharmanagendar @sardesairajdeep i was categorically told at the reception, NO PASS for media! Press not allowed period!
— Sonal Mehrotra (@sonalndtv) February 17, 2015
@speak_ind @sharmanagendar @sardesairajdeep media center is nxt to the reception outside main complex
— Sonal Mehrotra (@sonalndtv) February 17, 2015
@speak_ind@sharmanagendar@sardesairajdeep only ANI was allowed
— Sonal Mehrotra (@sonalndtv) February 17, 2015
We will know the real truth, only when a real journalist stands up and states it, after taking into consideration statements by all concerned, not when an “AAP” enthusiast decides to give a clean chit based only on the statement of Political leaders.
