The Congress party on Wednesday announced a “ban” on two news outlets in Assam, accusing them of spreading propaganda on behalf of the Bharatiya Janata Party. 

The two outlets, News Live and Time8, are owned by Pride East Entertainment Private Limited, which is owned by the family of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma. While News Live operates as a 24x7 satellite channel, Time8 is an online portal recently acquired by the Sarma family.

“While we appreciate robust journalism and healthy criticism, we firmly stand against the rigmaroles spread by tendentious media channels such as News Live and Time8. The nuisance caused by these channels has been observed and pointed out at various occasions, but in vain,” a statement from the party read. 

The statement further outlined the party’s decision to restrict the participation of these outlets in its events and press conferences. It stated that neither channel would be permitted to attend party events, nor would any official spokesperson engage with their reporters or appear on their shows.

Mahima Singh, the AICC communication coordinator for Assam,told Newslaundry the decision had been prompted by the two media houses spreading “propaganda”. She accused both organisations of asking “irrelevant and targeted” questions aimed at tarnishing the party’s image, recording interviews that were not aired, and “hackling” its leaders.

“They were just creating the BJP’s diversionary tactics in a way,” she added. 

Started in 2008, Pride East is at the top of the media game in Assam. News Live is the state’s most-watched satellite channel, according to data from BARC. 

Newslaundry tried to reach out to the editor of News Live for a comment. This story will be updated if we receive any response.  

It should be noted that last year, the Congress-led INDIA alliance had announced a boycott of 14 prominent news anchors for similar reasons. However, the boycott didn’t last long with Congress leaders themselves snubbing the ban to give “exclusive” interviews to anchors they were supposed to boycott. Read here.

Newslaundry has also reported at length on Pride East and its journey alongside Sarma in Assam. Is a media empire propping Sarma up? How deeply is he connected to the company? Read our report to find out.

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