The Karnataka Government on Wednesday dismissed media speculation that it planned to ban entry of private television channels into both houses of legislature after the porngate expose involving three former ministers.
"There is absolutely no basis for such rumours. There is no such decision at all. There is no proposal to start a separate channel to cover proceedings of the legislatures," Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs S Suresh Kumar told PTI.
The government does not want to curb press freedom, he said.
Legislature Secretariat sources said the Lok Sabha Secretariat about two years back had mooted an idea of whether the state could also think of starting TV channel on its lines.
A committee was also set up by legislatures to look into the suggestion, but it did not make much headway. In the aftermath of porn episode, there were a debate in the corridors of state legislatures to revive the plan to set up a separate channel to cover legislature proceedings.
Currently, about half a dozen regional channels and even Doordarshan are allowed to capture visuals of both Houses of the legislature.
Both Houses were adjourned sine die last week. The budget session is expected to begin next month, for which dates are yet to be finalised.
