The Jaganmohan Reddy government has begun defending itself on the GO 2430 in the face of mounting protests from the media and the opposition parties. It is giving indications of the ruling party’s readiness for a showdown with the journalists associations. Ministers Perni Nani and Kodali Nani asked the media to explain to them what’s wrong with the GO.

Interestingly, the Ministers posed this question at a media conference. The journalists leaders have held protests through the day during the AP Formation Day celebrations. The government is apparently shaken at the harsh reaction of the national media.

The Ministers tried to explain that the GO is just intended to issue rejoinders to the journalists who write stories deliberately to tarnish the government’s image. The Ministers argue that the false media reports are hurting the morale of the officials. This is creating hurdles for the government to effectively plan and bring in development. But the journalists argue that the GO is not necessary as the officials can always issue rejoinders. Jana Senani Pawan Kalyan opposed the GO as this will rob the journalists of their freedom of expression.