Chennai: Stung by uproar in media over cases filed against a private television channel — Puthiyathalimurai — Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K.Palaniswami on Monday said the channel did not have police permission to hold a debate on a sensitive topic in Coimbatore.

Advising the the media to act responsibly while holding its programmes in a communally sensitive city like Coimbatore. State government stood for press freedom and freedom of expression, he said but added media should act with some responsibility.

Making a statement on the floor of the assembly on Monday the chief minister said the media organisation should see if their programme could incite communal passions and avoid such circumstances.

It should also decide whether to have speakers who would speak mainly to disturb law and order, the CM said.

He insisted that the channel did not have the necessary police permission to hold a round table discussion in Coimbatore on the topic `Continous protests – Is it for basic rights? Political reasons.

He told the assembly that the channel was advised not to have such a programme in the communally sensitive Coimbatore on such a topic as it would result in law and order problems.

Palaniswami said the Coimbatore correspondent sought permission on June 5.

He however remained silent whether police denied permission in writing. The CM said trouble began when movie director Ameer made some controversial remarks which was opposed by the supporters of a party.

The Chief Minister said forty policemen on duty at the venue ensured no untoward incident took place.

Referring to the demand of some political leaders and media associations to withdraw the case registered against the channel and its Coimbatore correspondent, Palaniswami said a decision will be taken once the police investigation is on issue is over.