NEW DELHI -- Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wants "public trials" for the Indian media to make it accountable for factually incorrect reporting.
"If you see that a TV channel has shown something that is factually incorrect then you should raise it by naming that channel," Kejriwal said on Sunday.
"There can be a public trial as well by fixing eight or ten places in Delhi, gather the public, and say this channel showed such a report which is a lie. Such public trials can be started."
The Aam Aadmi Party chief was responding to a suggestion from an audience member while speaking to Janta Ka Reporter, a 24x7 multimedia website which says the "common man or janta and NOT the political parties or corporate house" sets its news agenda.
"This country needs alternate media which can show the truth despite without the pressure of money, big powers and political forces," Kejriwal said during the conversation.
Kejriwal also accused the media of taking "supari" (contract) to bash AAP.
"A very big conspiracy is going on. A large chunk of the media has take supari to finish the Aam Aadmi Party," Kejriwal said. "It is my opinion that these TV channels did not spare any effort in trying to destroy the Aam Aadmi Party before the elections, no effort is being spared in destroying us now."
"But remember the public is very wise. The more negatively they portray us, the more public will sympathise with us," he said. "This time we have got 67 seats, next time will be 70 seats."
Leaders of rival political parties including Meenakshi Lekhi from the Bharatiya Janata Party and Manish Tiwari of the Congress Party slammed Kejriwal's remarks.
"As long as the media kept singing paeans of the Aam Aadmi Party, they were very virtuous. The moment they started critique, they have become a devil for Mr Kejriwal and his party," said Tiwari. "Therefore, Mr Kejriwal should, once and for all, decide whether the media is an angel or a demon and he should not change his stand depending upon the coverage of the day, of his party and the government."
Delhi is wondering who they have voted4,I am sure Press 2 must be wondering who they have promoted,who r made by D media are exposed by it 2
— Meenakashi Lekhi (@M_Lekhi) May 3, 2015
Responding to question on why AAP doesn't start its own channel, Kejriwal said such a venture costs around Rs. 200 crore while AAP had Rs. 40 lakhs in its account. "AAP exposed politicians, we won't step back from exposing the media," he said.
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