Revanth Reddy under fire for ‘slap young journalists’ remarks

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has once again come under criticism after he said that he often felt like slapping young journalists for displaying arrogance and discourteous behaviour against their seniors. He also said that political party-owned media outlets which served the interests of their leaders were hurting journalism.

Speaking at a programme to mark the 10th anniversary of a vernacular daily, the chief minister spoke about senior journalists who were far more dedicated and drew a parallel with young reporters who display arrogance and lack courtesy.

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He said, “Those who do not follow basic courtesies like standing up when their seniors come in, when we conduct press conferences. Some of them display arrogance that sometimes I feel like slapping them. But stature and circumstances prevent me from doing so.”

He also criticised the practice of political parties launching their own media outlets.

Reddy said, “Some political parties start their media outlets to cover up their irregularities, protect their wealth and tarnish the image of those questioning them.” He asked genuine journalists to distinguish themselves from such political party activists.

Reddy also distinguished between journalists working for media outlets and those on social media who claim themselves to be journalists. “Today, somebody who does not know the alphabet says ‘I am a journalist’. If we ask him, he says ‘I am a social media journalist.”

Telangana BJP spokesperson NV Subhash said Reddy was following in the footsteps of his predecessor, K Chandrasekhar Rao.

“What KCR did over nine years, Revanth is attempting to replicate in just a few months. He has already become a threat to democratic discourse,” said Subhash.

The BRS also trolled the chief minister for his latest controversial remark. This is not the first time Reddy has spoken about thrashing journalists. On an earlier occasion, he had threatened to strip and thrash journalists.