Team Kejriwal blocks media from secretariat

NEW DELHI: The Kejriwal government on its first working day kept the secretariat out of bounds for the media, putting the basic premise of press freedom "transparency" under siege.
The CM and his cabinet remained were inaccessible and there was no clarity the day ended without the government clearing the air on what what the protocol for media would be.
The CM's media advisor, Nagendra Sharma, claimed ignorance over the source of these restrictions pointing that the government was trying to study from where this kind of a literal ban on entry was imposed.
However, it is hard to believe that the bureaucracy would issue orders to restrict the media without the directions of the CM. Sharma assured a regulated system for media from Tuesday.
On Saturday after CM Arvind Kejriwal drove to the secretariat from Ramlila Maidan, the directions to keep the media were already in place. The counter outside where the entry passes are made for journalists who cover the beat but may not be accredited were turned away by the staff citing directions from the General Administration Department. No one was allowed inside officially for photographs or interaction with the ministers.
After much hue and cry from the media, the government said that a regulated entry system based on a media database will be in place by Monday.
Deputy CM Manish Sisodia held a press conference later on Saturday to announce the portfolios of ministers.
As media persons started gathering on Monday hoping to capture the CM and his team at work, they were shocked to find the same restrictions in place with the staff not even acknowledging the press accredition card. The media was restricted to the media centre near gate number 6. It was post noon that the media advisor made way for journalists waiting for hours into the canteen but not beyond that.
A photo opportunity was created around 4pm for photographers and journalists could try their luck for getting quick interviews.
However, lack of coordination added to the mess with few getting access. Later a press conference was scheduled at 5.00 pm to brief the media but it could never take place due to an ugly stalemate between media persons and continuing chaos.