Press Release: Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Condemns BJP Government’s Latest Assault on Media Freedom: UAPA’s Net on Indian Journalists
New Delhi, October 3: The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties have expressed their strong condemnation of the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) government’s latest assault on the media. They assert their unwavering support for the media and the constitutionally protected freedoms of speech and expression.
Over the past nine years, the BJP government has been accused of targeting and stifling the media, deploying investigative agencies against prominent media outlets such as the British Broadcasting Corporation, Newslaundry, Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar, the Kashmir Walla, and the Wire, among others. Most recently, journalists from NewsClick have faced similar challenges.
Critics argue that the BJP government has attempted to transform the media into a mouthpiece for its partisan and ideological interests, facilitating takeovers of media organizations by crony capitalists. Both the government and ideologically aligned groups have allegedly resorted to reprisals against individual journalists who have dared to speak truth to power.
Moreover, the BJP government’s introduction of regressive policies like the Information Technology Rules 2021 has been accused of restricting the media’s ability to report objectively. Critics suggest that these actions not only conceal the government’s actions from the Indian public but also jeopardize India’s global reputation as a mature democracy.
The coercive actions of the BJP government are seen by some as primarily targeting media organizations and journalists who challenge those in power. Paradoxically, critics argue that the government has been passive in addressing journalists who incite hatred and divisiveness within the nation.
In the best interests of the nation, INDIA calls upon the BJP government to shift its focus towards addressing genuine concerns facing the nation and its citizens, rather than targeting the media to divert attention from its perceived failures.
Jai Hind.
