PCI to look into ban on bandh news in State

NEW DELHI: The controversial decision of the Meghalaya High Court banning news on bandhs and related events might get resurrected with the Press Council of India deciding to “intervene” in the matter along with the original petitions moved by the Meghalaya Editors’ & Publishers’ Association (MEPA).
The council in its last full meeting decided to get in touch with MEPA and find out the next course of action. If needed, PCI can also help in fighting the case with MEPA, council sources said on Wednesday.
MEPA had approached the Supreme Court to vacate the Meghalaya High Court ban imposed on the media on May 27 from publishing news related to bandhs and other forms  of agitation. But MEPA had to withdraw the petition from the Supreme Court that “dismissed the matter as withdrawn” and asked the association to go back to the High Court.
The Supreme Court took the decision on the ground that MEPA had not approached the High Court first. Though the matter was again taken up with the High Court, it did not give any relief to MEPA. Since then no action has been taken from either side with virtual status quo continuing till date.