Karnataka govt cites security issues, bans TV cameras in Vidhana Soudha corridors

Citing “security and discipline” issues, the Karnataka government on Friday said that media persons will no longer be allowed to take photographs or record videos of ministers or officials in the corridors of the Vidhana Soudha.

A circular to this effect was issued on Friday by the Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms (DPAR) as per the Chief Minister’s directive.

The circular states that during legislature sessions and on other occasions, media persons filming or photographing ministers in the corridors was blocking movement of VIPs and thus caused inconvenience to the public and the staff.

“A provision has been made for the Chief Minister and other ministers to issue media statements near the Kengal Hanumanthaiah entrance (which already exists),” it said.

The DPAR has directed personal secretaries of ministers to make arrangements for press conferences and for news bytes for media persons in meeting rooms or ministerial chambers.

Similar restriction were placed on media access in the Vidhana Soudha premises, in 2018, during H D Kumaraswamy’s tenure as chief minister. The same was however revoked later.