Bhubaneswar: To restore press freedom, Odisha Assembly Speaker Surama Padhy lifted the restrictions on carrying mobile phones into the press gallery on Wednesday. This decision followed a protest by journalists who had boycotted the proceedings in response to the ban on mobile phones.
Sports and Youth Services Minister Suryabanshi Suraj announced the reversal of the decision after a meeting between the Speaker and the protesting journalists. While mobile phones will now be allowed in the press gallery, journalists are required to keep their phones on silent mode. Additionally, the use of cameras to take photographs or record videos will still be prohibited. To facilitate media coverage, the Information and Public Relations Department will provide adequate photos of the Question Hour for media organizations.
The move to lift the ban came after journalists staged a sit-in protest near the Mahatma Gandhi statue on the Assembly premises earlier on the same day. Journalists had been instructed to deposit their mobile phones at the entrance of the press gallery, sparking strong opposition. The protest was fueled by concerns that mobile phones were essential for real-time reporting of legislative proceedings.
The restrictions had been imposed after images and videos of a scuffle between MLAs inside the House on March 11 were widely shared on social media. Many journalists believed the ban was an attempt to curb their ability to report freely and independently. Both opposition Congress and the ruling BJD supported the journalists’ stance against the restrictions.
In a show of solidarity, a delegation of BJD leaders visited the protesting journalists, with BJD MLA Arun Kumar Sahoo criticizing the ban and urging the Speaker to uphold press freedom. Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, who had been suspended for indiscipline, also condemned the action, reaffirming his party’s support for the protest.
The reversal of the mobile phone ban marks a victory for press freedom, ensuring that journalists can continue to play a vital role in maintaining transparency and holding the legislative process to account. The Speaker also announced an orientation program for journalists to help them better understand the protocols of the Assembly proceedings.
