Journalists in Ahmedabad today burnt copies of state government’s general rule circular issued by state Health department that instructs hospitals, medical colleges and other health department offices to ban entry of media in government hospitals, medical colleges and health department offices.

The circular states that if a journalist is found to be repeatedly pestering hospital staff, his government accreditation will be canceled. It also states that photography and videography of buildings and their premises will not be allowed without approval. The top authorities have been directed not to interact with journalists. If a journalist is found to be violating the new norms, police action will be sought against him. No journalist will be allowed in government-run hospitals and their colleges without prior permission from deans or medical superintendents. A notice board stating the same will be put up outside the buildings.

More than 100 journalists from print and electronic media gathered at Ahmedabad’s Civil hospital opposite Superintendent’s office and shouted slogans against state dictatorship and media censorship with banner. Journalists burnt several copies of state circular. Media persons together entered Civil hospital premises with slogans and broke the rule issued by state government banning their entry in health premises without permission.

Interacting with media persons, Shri M.M.Prabhakar, Superintendent of Ahmedabad Civil hospital said he was agree with the demands of reporters against the circular and his experience with media was always good. He said he believed there was no need of such circular. He accepted the memorandum submitted by media persons with their signatures.

On Monday, similar demonstrations were held in Rajkot, Vadodara and Gandhinagar also. In Vadodara, journalists gathered at Civil hospital’s superintendent office demanded to arrange talk with the Health Minister on phone. The Minister came on phone and agreed with the demands made by media persons. He said the issue would be sorted out soon. He assured protesting reporters that they would be allowed to enter health department premises without any restriction till the issue is sorted out. After meeting with journalists and phone talk with minister, the hospital authority removed a sign board on hospital gate that was put there to instruct the media persons not to enter premises without permission.

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