Politician Accuses Media of Smear Campaign Over Fabricated Video

While reiterating his support for freedom of expression, Siddaramaiah criticized certain media houses for exploiting that liberty to advance partisan narratives. He noted that throughout his career he never interfered with press freedom, yet the current episode forces him to seek legal protection. The former chief minister appealed to journalists and the public to refrain from amplifying the video until the police complete their inquiry.