Media's access to Home Ministry restricted

It may not be smooth sailing for mediapersons while looking for news bytes in Union Home Ministry with officials being asked not to entertain journalists without appointment.

Though officially it is “just streamlining” the communication system, the new media guidelines is aimed at ensuring that information leak happens. However, journalists covering the beat are against the order.

Union Home Secretary L C Goyal had on earlier occasions pulled up officials on leakage of information about deliberations in internal meetings.

There were gag orders in other ministries also, most of them unofficial. The NDA government was accused of keeping media at a distance and engaging them only when it wants.

According to the Office Memorandum, the Additional Director General (Media) will be the “single point for dissemination” of all publicity material to media, including clarifications sought by media.

The guidelines also said that release of information to media will be done only with the approval of the Home Secretary.

Another point in the guideline virtually restrict the movement of journalists in Union Home Ministry, located in North Block.

“The information flow to mediapersons will be arranged in Media Room No 9. Mediapersons will be asked by ADG (Media) that they do not have briefing/meeting with officers other than in the media room,” it said. At present, journalists with Press Information Bureau could meet officers directly after approaching their personal staff. There were no restriction on their movement in the ministry.

 Joint Secretary M A Ganpathy, who is the Ministry spokesperson, has been told to brief media only on “need to do” basis. The ADG media “will also proactively monitor content” related to MHA in social media platforms and electronic media for suitable response.
“There is no restriction on media. We just do not want reporters to throng the corridors of North Block,” a senior official said. While the former home ministers P Chidambaram and Sushilkumar Shinde used to conduct monthly press conferences, present minister Rajnath Singh met media just a few times.