Andhra minister says media commission proposal will be considered

Andhra Pradesh Minister for MSME Kondapalli Srinivas has said the state government will take note of a proposal to establish a media commission. Srinivas was responding on Friday after representatives of the Andhra Pradesh Union of Working Journalists Association submitted a memorandum in Vizianagaram. The delegation expressed concern about the spread of false information on uncontrolled social media platforms.

The proposal would give a media commission a role in overseeing print, electronic and social media platforms. The delegation said the body could monitor content and issue periodic guidelines. Srinivas said the government was keen to work with the media to publicise welfare and development activities so that residents could benefit from greater awareness of such programmes.

He also acknowledged that misuse of social media platforms had created difficulties for the government. The minister did not announce that a commission had been established or give a timetable for any decision. The delegation included the association’s state deputy general secretary, P.S.S.V.

Prasad, district president Aripaka Ramu and secretary N.M. Sanyasi Rao. The representatives also raised issues concerning journalists.

Before meeting Srinivas, the association had submitted memorandums to Nellimarla MLA Lokam Naga Madhavi, Collector S. Ramsundar Reddy and other officials. The proposal comes amid concern from the journalists’ association about false information circulated through social media.

Srinivas said the government would note the proposal, while the source material did not record any response from social media companies or other groups.