Journalists ‘denied access’ to Sanakhemundi block office in Ganjam

The community of journalists in Ganjam district expressed their outrage after a notice was posted at Sanakhemundi block office, prohibiting them entry from Tuesday onwards.

Allegedly, the notice issued under the signature of the local Block Development Officer (BDO), led to widespread discontent among the press. Questions have arisen as to whether the BDO initiated this directive or if it was a decision made by another person.

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Local journos alleged that the restriction is an attempt to silence the media from reporting possible corruption within the block office. They called for a thorough investigation into who authorised the issuance of the notice.

“We members, on behalf of Sanakhemundi Press Club, strongly condemn the restriction of entry to government office by the BDO. If such situations persist, we will be compelled to get down to the roads to protest. We demand a probe to ascertain who has done this,” a local journalist Bijaya Pradhan expressed.

“After a detailed probe, things will come to the fore whether this took place as per the instruction of the BDO or it has been done by someone else. Sanakhemundi block office is ill-reputed for rampant corruption. Hence, entry of journalists is being restricted,” another Press Club member Kalu Charan Nahaka said.

Efforts to obtain a statement from the Sanakhemundi BDO have, so far, been unsuccessful.

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The incident has shaken the journalist community in Ganjam district as the news continues to spread to other parts of the State.

Meanwhile, the journalists wrote to Ganjam Collector seeking his intervention in the matter. They will resort to agitation if proper steps will not be taken, the scribes warned.

Journalists’ roles as watchdogs of democracy are particularly sensitive in Odisha’s diverse and vibrant political landscape. Ensuring media freedom is essential to maintaining transparency and accountability at all levels of government.

Reported By: Satyanarayan Padhi