Andhra Pradesh: Chandrababu Naidu Demands Action Against Accused Who Attack Journalists

The former Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu also expressed concerns over what he perceived as consistent state-sponsored attacks on press freedom since the YSRCP came into power.

TDP national president Chandrababu Naidu strongly condemned the attack on media and demanded action against those involved in it. The former CM also wrote to AP Director General of Police KV Rajendranath Reddy to arrest those who allegedly attacked a few journalists and a media house recently. 

In a letter addressed to the Director General of Police, the former Chief Minister demanded action against Chief Minister Jagan Mohan Reddy for allegedly making false statements aimed at inciting hatred and enmity among different groups to spark violence.

The former Chief Minister also expressed concerns over what he perceived as consistent state-sponsored attacks on press freedom since the YSRCP came into power. He highlighted the issuance of GO 2430 in October 2019, which he believed was designed to stifle dissenting voices, leading to incidents of violence, including murders, physical assaults, and verbal attacks against journalists across the state.

Furthermore, he accused the YSRCP of intensifying attacks on the media, particularly journalists, in the lead-up to the 2024 elections. He cited recent incidents, such as the attack on a contributor in Amaravathi mandal of Palnadu district on February 14, allegedly for exposing the involvement of YSRCP leaders in the sand mafia.

Additionally, he mentioned the brutal attack on a photographer from the Telugu daily during a political meeting in Rapthadu, Anantapur district, on February 18, where he claimed the police remained passive observers.

Furthermore, he highlighted the attack on the office of a Telugu daily in Kurnool by a mob allegedly led by YSRCP MLA K Rambhupal Reddy on February 20, creating an atmosphere of fear for nearly an hour.

Finally, he mentioned another incident on the same day where a reporter from another publication was physically assaulted in Maddikera, Kurnool district while covering a YSRCP political event.

Naidu characterized all of these attacks as state-sponsored acts against press freedom and accused Jagan Mohan Reddy of being the instigator behind them.