The Press Council of India has expressed concern at the purported statement of Rajasthan chief minister and Congress leader Ashok Gehlot that “if advertisements are desired, show news about us”.

The council said it had taken “suo motu cognisance of the disconcerting statement on media made by the chief minister of Rajasthan during a press conference held on December 16, 2019, in which he is alleged to have said ‘vigyapan chaahte ho toh hamari khabar dikhao’”. Such a statement is contrary to the values of democracy and it affects the reliability and freedom of the media, the council added.

A notice for reply has been issued to the chief minister, the Press Council said.

The alleged statement made at a public platform undermines the freedom of Press, the council said.