Media Freedom

Credible media key for democracy's qualitative transformation: Gadkari

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on Thursday said credible media is important for the qualitative transformation of democracy and socio-economic development of the country. Addressing an event here, Gadkari said every politician expects media support, but the media should support what is good for democracy and the country. He noted that once upon a time, people were only dependent on print media and electronic media, now they are dependent on social media. "In media, what we need is credibility, goodwill...people are expecting information from the media by which they can make the qualitative transformation of our democracy," the minister said. "Socio-economic transformation is the ultimate aim for all of us, for that reason role of the media is very important," he added. "Now everyone is interested in understanding information," he said. Gadkari said that India is the fastest growing economy in the world and its dream is to make India 'Atmanirbhar' and 'USD 5 trillion economy'. Acco

Russia to hold trial of 'CIA asset' US WSJ reporter Gershkovich in secret

Gershkovich was detained by the Federal Security Service on March 29, 2023, in a steak house in Yekaterinburg on charges of espionage that carry up to 20 years in prison

'Visionary who revolutionised media': PM Modi's tribute to Ramoji Rao

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday expressed grief at the death of noted media personality Ramoji Rao, describing him as a visionary who revolutionised Indian media. Rao's rich contributions have left an indelible mark on journalism and the world of films, Modi said on X, adding that through his noteworthy efforts, he set new standards in innovation and excellence in the media and entertainment world. "Ramoji Rao Garu was extremely passionate about India's development. I am fortunate to have got several opportunities to interact with him and benefit from his wisdom. Condolences to his family, friends and countless admirers during this difficult time. Om Shanti." Rao (88), who was undergoing treatment for the past few days, breathed his last at 4.50 am, according to ETV, Telangana, one of the Ramoji group channels.

PM Modi was asked why he doesn't hold press conferences. His answer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi he is "ready" to answer any questions asked to him in Parliament

Media freedom has disappeared under BJP regime, says Kerala CM Vijayan

Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting those outlets that do not sing praises for the regime, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleged on Monday. He was reacting to news reports that the BBC's Indian newsroom has ceased operations. The UK-based BBC had recently restructured its operations in India to comply with the country's foreign investment rules. Addressing the media here , Vijayan said reports claimed that BBC was compelled to make this decision due to persistent vindictive actions by the Income Tax Department. "Media freedom has disappeared under the BJP rule, with the Sangh Parivar relentlessly targeting media outlets that do not sing praises for the regime. The BBC's ordeal serves as a stark reminder that this election is an opportunity to address and resolve such issues," Vijayan said. He further said authoritarian regimes always try to control the media and the reminiscent symptoms of India's Emergency era a

NewsClick case: Police files chargesheet against founder under UAPA

The Delhi Police filed a chargesheet on Saturday in connection with a case lodged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) against news portal NewsClick, which is accused of receiving a huge amount of money to peddle pro-China propaganda through its stories, sources said on Saturday. The chargesheet runs into several thousand pages. The Special Cell of the Delhi Police lodged the case last year under sections 13, 16, 17, 18 and 22 of the UAPA, along with sections 153A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It also arrested NewsClick's founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resources department head Amit Chakravarty on October 3, 2023.

Anurag Thakur condemns attack on media freedom amid Sandeshkhali incident

The stifling of freedom of expression in West Bengal is unfortunate and amounts to the murder of democracy; the TMC government is flouting constitutional norms, he added

Newsclick HR head Amit Chakravarty moves HC seeking bail in UAPA case

NewsClick's Human Resources department chief Amit Chakravarty on Wednesday urged the Delhi High Court to grant him bail in the case lodged against the news portal under anti-terror law UAPA over allegations that it received money to spread pro-China propaganda. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma reserved the order on the bail plea by Chakravarty, who turned an approver in the case last month, after the police said it has no objections if the relief is granted to him. Chakravarty's lawyer said that he has been granted pardon in the case by the trial court and was also cooperating in the probe. "I have been in custody since October 3, 2023, and still the matter is at the stage of investigation. No chargesheet is filed," the lawyer told the court quoting Chakravarty. Special Judge Hardeep Kaur had last month allowed Chakravarty to turn an approver and pardoned him. Chakravarty has claimed that he was in possession of "material information" about the case which he was willing to disclose to

UK govt intervenes in potential Telegraph takeover by Abu Dhabi-backed fund

Britain's government said on Thursday it has asked media and market competition officials to look into a potential Abu Dhabi-backed takeover of The Telegraph newspaper. Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer said she issued a public interest intervention notice after considering the possible impact of the offer by the investment fund RedBird IMI to the previous owners of The Telegraph and The Spectator magazine to repay debts owed by them. RedBird IMI a joint venture between RedBird Capital and Abu Dhabi's International Media Investments, and led by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker said earlier this month it agreed to provide loans to Britain's Barclay family and ensure the family's debts, worth some 1 billion pounds ($1.25 billion), are paid. The Barclay family owned the right-leaning newspaper and magazine before they were put into receivership. The family also previously owned London's luxurious Ritz Hotel before selling it in 2020. RedBird IMI has said it would provide a loan of up to 600

NewsClick row: SC to hear pleas of Purkayastha, HR in UAPA case on Oct 19

The Supreme Court Wednesday said it will hear on October 19 two separate pleas of NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and its HR head Amit Chakravarty against their arrest under anti-terror law UAPA, after the Delhi High Court refused to grant them any relief. A bench of Justices BR Gavai and Prashant Kumar Mishra, which took up the petitions, told senior advocates Kapil Sibal and Devadatt Kamat, appearing for Purkayastha and Chakravarty, respectively, that it needs to peruse the pleas. "We need to go through the files. We will take both the matters tomorrow," Justice Gavai said. On October 16, the top court agreed to list the matter urgently after Sibal mentioned it before the bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud. The CJI had asked Sibal to circulate the case papers and said he would take a call on urgent listing of the matter. The Delhi High Court had on October 13 dismissed their pleas against arrest and subsequent police remand in the case. Both were arrested by the .

Rana Ayyub criticised India at Unesco-sponsored press freedom event

"When we talk about attacks in the press, we normally never look at India as much because India is seen as this place of democracy, you know, syncretic values and cultural pluralism," she said

Freedom and the big freeze

When it becomes clear that criticism is difficult without trouble, the circle of one's freedom of expression shrinks

Poles protest across nation for media freedom, defending US-owned channel

Poles flocked to city centres across the country Sunday to defend a US-owned television network that is being targeted by the country's right-wing government

Unprecedented repression against media in China under Xi: Journalists group

China's violations against its own international commitments to freedom of opinion and expression has significantly increased under the current regime.

Media freedom at risk as Taliban censors news reports in Afghanistan

The Taliban announced that no media or news agencies are permitted to publish against the interest of the Taliban's so-called administration in Afghanistan

US-based media body condemns tax raids on Dainik Bhaskar, Bharat Samachar

A US-based media body has said New Delhi should drop these investigations aimed at 'intimidating' news outlets critical of its government

Hard knocks for soft power

The state is tightening its control over what we read, watch, hear or laugh at, says Vanita Kohli-Khandekar. Why not facilitate our soft power instead of clamping down on its strengths?

China says Australian television anchor probed for security violation

Cheng Lei -- an Australian citizen employed by China's state broadcaster CGTN before her detention last month was "suspected of carrying out criminal activities endangering China's national security"

US-China feud heightens: Beijing expels US journalists in biggest crackdown

The foreign ministry said in a statement the measure was in retaliation for Washington's decision to cut the number of Chinese nationals allowed to work for Chinese state-run media on American soil

Crackdown on 'deepfakes' indicates danger to credible media dissemination

Deepfake is a catch-all word to describe a large portfolio of AI-driven video-manipulation technologies