Emergency 2.0? INDIA bloc to boycott 14 TV journalists; media panel, BJP condemns move
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New Delhi, Sept 15: In what can be called "Emergency 2.0", the Opposition bloc INDIA has released a list of 14 television news anchors whose shows will be boycotted by the alliance's media representatives.
The list comes a day after the coordination committee of the 26 bloc held its first meeting and released a joint statement. In the statement, the committee authorized its media group to decide on the names of the anchors on whose shows none of the INDIA parties will send their representatives.
Speaking about the decision, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, who released the list, said, "Today, we took a decision. Some anchors have been marked and their shows and events will be boycotted. We do not want to legitimise this hate-filled narrative which is corroding our society."
"You make headlines against our leaders, make memes, twist their speeches, spread fake news but we are ready to fight against that. But if you spread hatred in the society which takes the form of violence, we don't want to be a part of that," he added. He further said, "With a heavy heart, we have taken this decision. We are not opposed to any of these anchors. We don't hate any of these anchors. But, we love our country more. We love our Bharat."
Several media channels have condemned the movie.
The News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) on Thursday expressed concern over the decision of the INDIA bloc to not send their representatives to the shows and events hosted by 14 journalists and news anchors. The anchors boycotted by the alliance are Aditi Tyagi of Bharat Express, Aman Chopra of News 18, Amish Devgan of News 18, Anand Narasimhan of News 18, Arnab Goswami of Republic, Ashok Shrivastav of DD News, Chitra Tripathi of Aaj Tak, Gaurav Sawant of India Today, Navika Kumar of Times Now, Prachi Parashar of India TV, Rubika Liaquat of Bharat 24, Shiv Aroor of India Today, Sudhir Chaudhary of Aaj Tak, and Sushant Sinha. The list was released by Congress leader Pawan Khera.
“The decision taken by the INDIA Media Committee sets a dangerous precedent,” NBDA said in a statement. The association said that the ban “goes against the ethos of democracy” and is a sign of “intolerance”.
The NBDA urged the opposition alliance to withdraw its decision as it would amount to “browbeating journalists and stifling freedom of speech and expression of the media”.
Meanwhile, the BJP criticized the Congress party over the move, saying the party has a history of bullying the media. In a post on X, BJP chief JP Nadda said, "The history of Congress has many instances of bullying the media and silencing those with differing views. Pandit Nehru curtailed free speech and arrested those who criticised him. Indira Ji remains the Gold Medal winner of how to do it- called for committed judiciary, committed bureaucracy and imposed the horrific Emergency. Rajiv Ji tried to bring media under state control but failed miserably. Sonia Ji-led UPA was banning social media handles simply because the Congress did not like their views."
A press release issued by BJP’s national media head Anil Baluni said, “By taking such a highly deplorable decision, the “ghamandiya” alliance has once again revealed its highly repressive, dictatorial and negative mindset. The Bharatiya Janata Party severely criticises the unfortunate step of the I.N.D.I Alliance.”
It said that BJP severely opposes such “derogatory mentality which hinders freedom of expression”. Comparing the decision with press censorship during the emergency, the statement by BJP said, “The decision of political parties which are part of the “ghamandiya” alliance to boycott some journalists shows their mentality of the time of repressive Emergency, We have all seen that in a similar manner how the media was stifled and gagged during Emergency. Today also the “ghamandiya” alliance is working with the same mindset of Emergency and vengeance against the media.”
I.N.D.I Alliance giving direct threat to the media is like gagging the media for speaking the truth.
— BJP (@BJP4India) September 14, 2023
This also shows that the 'ghamandiya' alliance has no courage to face the truth.
The Bharatiya Janata Party severely criticises the unfortunate step of the I.N.D.I Alliance. pic.twitter.com/pfijp5Nlf0
It added that I.N.D.I Alliance giving direct threat to the media is like gagging the media for speaking the truth. This also shows that the “ghamandiya” alliance has no courage to face the truth. It also indicates that the “ghamandiya* alliance is working under some external pressure to hurt Indian media’s freedom of expression.
The statement adds that “there is democracy in the country, and no one will be allowed to suppress or curtail the freedom and rights of the media.”
Bharati Web
Mes, Pune
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