Telugu Daily 'Eenadu' Alleges AP Govt Order Promotes 'Sakshi' Newspaper Owned By CM; Supreme Court Issues Notice

The Supreme Court on Wednesday issued notice in a petition filed by Ushodaya Publications, which owns a leading Telugu daily "Eenadu", challenging the Government Order (GO) allegedly aimed at improving sales of "Sakshi" newspaper (allegedly owned and controlled by Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh) to all the village and ward secretariats. The petitioner has approached the Apex Court against a judgement of the Andhra Pradesh High Court which refused to quash the GO in question. The matter was heard by a bench comprising CJI DY Chandrachud, Justice PS Narasimha, and Justice JB Pardiwala.

The petitioner had first approached the Andhra Pradesh High Court praying for an ex parte ad interim direction suspending or staying the operation of the impugned GO. The GO in question sanctioned Rs.200/- per month from the State funds as additional financial support for each Gram Volunteer/Ward Volunteer to enable them to purchase one widely circulated Telugu newspaper which gives them more knowledge and awareness on contemporary issues and information on Government schemes. The Andhra Pradesh High Court, while rejecting the plea to stay the GO, stated that there was no material showing that the GO instructed the Gram Volunteers/Ward Volunteers and Village Secretariats/Ward Secretariats to subscribe to "Sakshi". 

Before the Supreme Court, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Ushodaya Publications, submitted that the subscription charge of "Sakshi" was Rs.176.50 per month. On the other hand, the charge for "Eenadu" was Rs.207.50 per month. Thus, the government had purposely fixed the additional grant of Rs.200/- per month to suit the monthly subscription charges of "Sakshi" to help the newspaper grow over and above the circulation of "Eenadu", the petitioner's newspaper. He stated–

"All those who support the government get Rs 200. It's a violation of Article 19(1)(a)."

Rohatgi further argued that the Andhra Pradesh CM, YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, was the owner of "Sakshi" and thus wanted to boost its sale. He added that Reddy wanted to attack "Eenadu" to settle his score with Opposition leader N. Chandrababu Naidu. Rohatgi said–

"The government has also said that Eenadu is yellow journalism and don't go for it. This is State propoganda! See the CM's remarks... He has a running battle with Chandrababu, his opposition. I am not concerned, I've been running for 75 years...He is saying Eenadu is yellow journalism, it's a front for Chandrababu."

The court issued notice in the matter and made it returnable to 10th April 2023.

Case Title: Ushodaya Enterprises v. State of Andhra Pradesh | SLP(C) No. 4855-4857/2023