Monday, July 3 2006 10:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government has dubbed as 'not factually correct' reports alleging that it planned to muzzle the media through the proposed broadcasting bill and said nothing at any point of time would be done by the UPA Government which is meant to encroach upon the fundamental rights of the media.

"I have seen news item expressing concern over the proposed Broadcasting Bill in a section of print media. Some of these reports are not factually correct though I would not characterize them as misleading. I reassure the Nation, the commitment of the Government for the freedom of the press", Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said in a statement yesterday (July 3, 2006) night.

Asserting that the apprehension in the reports were "uncalled for" and "out of context", he said nothing at any point of time will be done by the UPA Government which is meant to encroach upon the fundamental rights of the Press and the Electronic Media.

Noting that the reports are "missing the wood for the trees" he said "when the Bill as a whole is discussed in the Cabinet and placed before the Parliament the truth and the transparency of the Government will be known to the people".

At the same time, he said that every true democracy in the world encourages plurality of views, freedom of expression etc. Media should be the last sector to have a monopoly.