Will “strip, thrash, parade” those posting abusive content, threatens Revanth Reddy in Assembly

The Chief Minister's strong reaction came amid mounting criticism of the Congress government over the recent arrest of two women journalists for allegedly posting 'defamatory content' about him

Hyderabad: Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy issued an open threat to those posting content abusing him, with a stern warning that they would be “stripped naked, thrashed, and paraded in public.”

Revanth Reddy vowed to bring out a legislation in the Assembly to punish digital media journalists, especially those running YouTube channels, for posting abusive content against elected representatives.

---

He made these remarks on the floor of the Assembly on Saturday while replying to the Motion of Thanks for the Governor’s address of the joint sitting of the State Legislature.

The Chief Minister’s diatribe was in response to the criticism against the Congress government for the recent arrest of two women journalists who were accused of posting ‘defamatory content’ against him.

“We are in public life and are open to criticism, but why target our family members?” he questioned. He declared that he would not remain silent while the culture of spreading derogatory content thrived on social media in the guise of journalism.

As the agitated Chief Minister continued his verbal onslaught, the ruling party members thumped the desks. He wanted to know who could be termed as a journalist, even as his party legislators were heard suggesting the system of accreditations [issued by the department of Information].

He said discussions could be held with journalist unions to define and identify who are the journalists and a legislation would be brought to regulate the media content. “I would like to know who is a journalist? Can anyone start “a tube” [YouTube channel] and start criticising anyone and can these be considered as journalists?’, he sought to know.

He directed IT Minister D Sridhar Babu and Information and Public Relations Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy to compile a list of recognised journalists.

“Don’t think I’m silent because I am the Chief Minister. I will strip you and have you thrashed. There are lakhs who will take to the streets to beat you up at my call. But I am being tolerant because of my position. Whatever I do, I will do within the ambit of the law,” he claimed.