“When NDTV Was Boycotted…”: INDIA Alliance’s Decision To Boycott 14 News Anchors Divides Internet
INDIA alliance’s decision regarding not to send their representatives on the shows and events hosted by 14 anchors has divided the social media and the journalists’ community.
The debate escalated, especially after the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), a self-regulatory body of media houses, released a statement saying it is deeply anguished and concerned by the decision taken by the INDIA Media Committee. The NBDA said the decision sets a dangerous precedent.
“The ban on representatives of the opposition alliance from participating in TV news shows anchored by some of India’s top TV news personalities goes against the ethos of democracy. It betokens intolerance and imperils press freedom,” a statement by the body said.
In a statement, the INDIA alliance has said yesterday that the representatives of the alliance will not participates in the shows hosted by Aditi Tyagi (Bharat Express), Aman Chopra (News 18 Hindi), Amish Devgan (News 18 Hindi), Anand Narasimhan (News 18 English), Arnab Goswami (Republic TV), Ashok Shrivastav (DD News), Chitra Tripathi (Aa Tak), Gaurav Sawant (India Today), Navika Kumar (Times Now), Prachi Parashar (India TV), Rubika Liaquat (Bharat 24), Shiv Aroor (India Today), Sudhir Chaudhary (Aaj Tak) and Sushant Sinha (Times Now Navbharat).
“The opposition alliance claims to be the champion of pluralism and a free press, but its decision betrays callous disregard for democracy’s most fundamental tenet – the inalienable right to openly express ideas and opinions,” the NBDA statement said.
And added that the boycott of journalists takes the nation back to the Emergency era, when the press was gagged, and independent opinions and voices were crushed.
However, some senior journalists do not agree with the NBDA and brought in the unannounced boycott of NDTV by the ruling party and the government during pre-Adani era.
“Witnessed first-hand how the Modi govt targeted & attacked Dr Roy’s NDTV. From Ravish to Nidhi no one ever complained & did the most professional journalism. The harassment ranged from no govt adverts, GOI boycott to relentless attacks by the agencies including raids. Watching the panna pramukhs play FoE & victims is hilarious,” commented senior journalist Swati Chaturvedi on X (formerly Twitter).
Witnessed first hand how the Modi govt targeted & attacked Dr Roy’s NDTV. From Ravish to Nidhi no one ever complained & did the most professional journalism. The harassment ranged from no govt adverts, GOI boycott to relentless attacks by the agencies including raids. Watching…
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) September 15, 2023
Responding to the NBDA statement, another senior journalist Sagarika Ghose said the move by INDIA alliance can’t be compared with emergency.
“NO. Can’t compare journalists who were jailed for standing up for press freedom to those who thrive on hate and are being called out for it. Where was News Broadcasters Association when NDTV & Karan Thapar were boycotted by BJP,” she wrote on X.
Good morning . Hate is a CRIME but boycott is anti- democratic. ⬇️A thread here: News Broadcasters Association association. calling boycott of anchors an ‘emergency’ like situation. NO. Can’t compare journalists who were jailed for standing up for press freedom to those who…
— Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) September 15, 2023
