West Bengal government issues orders prohibiting officials to speak to media
The West Bengal government has issued an order prohibiting officials from communicating with the media. This directive aims to prevent any criticism of government policies and restricts interactions that could strain relations with the Central government. Critics, including Trinamool Congress leaders, argue that this move undermines free expression and democracy.
- ▪The order prohibits government officials and police from speaking to the media without prior government approval.
- ▪It restricts any criticism of the Central or State government and interactions that could harm intergovernmental relations.
- ▪Trinamool Congress leaders have condemned the order as an attempt to enforce silence and curtail fundamental rights.
2 outlets in our directory ran this story, first to last over 8 hours. All of the coverage we found sits in one bucket: centre. That one-sidedness is itself worth noticing.
- ▪ Bengal BJP government bars officials from speaking to media without approval — Hindustan Times — Top
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| Original publisher | The Hindu — Top |
| Canonical URL | https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/west-bengal/west-bengal-government-issues-orders-prohibiting-officials-to-speak-to-media/article71005700.ece |
| Publication time | Thu, 21 May 2026 15:18:02 +0530 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-21T09:56:10.462Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-21T09:56:10.462Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in West Bengal has issued an order prohibiting government officials and police from speaking to the media.The circular titled Dissemination of Information by any member of the All India Service, West Bengal Civil Service, West Bengal Police Service and other employees working under the Government of West Bengal directs a complete prohibition “without any government order, on any direct or indirect communication of any document or information with the press by the members of the services”.The government order also directs a complete prohibition on members of the services in indulging in any adverse criticism of any policy or decision of the Central or the State government as well as complete prohibition on any publication, interaction, utterance,…
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