Presser row: Kerala CM rejects media bias charge, alleges attempt to create disruption

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said time constraints — not media bias — led to the early end of a contentious press conference in Kollam, after journalists protested over restricted questioning.

Addressing reporters in Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayan rejected claims that only select outlets were allowed to speak, insisting decisions were not based on the identity of media organisations. He said the interaction ended early due to schedule pressures, not because of who was asking questions.

Time limits, not selectivity

The clarification follows Monday’s disruption during an election campaign event in Kollam, where reporters objected after only a handful of questions were taken — reportedly from CPM-linked outlets Kairali TV and Deshabhimani — before the Chief Minister attempted to close the session.

Some journalists accused organisers of limiting access and questioned the purpose of the press meet. Vijayan, however, maintained that he typically answers all questions placed before him and does not filter queries based on media houses.

He said he responds to questions asked in front of him, not to those presumed to be in journalists’ minds, adding that he cannot answer unasked questions. He reiterated that his approach is to respond to any question raised during such interactions.

‘Attempt to distort facts’

Vijayan alleged that the row stemmed from attempts to distort facts and described the disruption as unfortunate. He said some journalists had created a commotion after claiming that not all questions were answered and that only certain channels were given opportunities.

He added that such claims were not consistent with the facts and suggested that some attendees had arrived with a specific agenda. According to him, the situation escalated despite efforts to manage time and continue briefly with additional questions.

Campaign event overshadowed

The Kollam event, held as part of the ongoing election campaign, had been intended to highlight government achievements but was overtaken by the confrontation.

Vijayan said he has been meeting the media almost daily during the election period and that the Kollam interaction followed the usual format. The controversy, he added, arose after he concluded the session and left, when some journalists raised objections, prompting him to return briefly to respond.