The Press Club of India (PCI) is strongly criticizing authorities for denying or impounding passports of veteran journalists, including R. Rajagopal, former editor of The Telegraph, and author Samrat Choudhury. Authorities attribute the denials to "adverse police reports" linked to the sudden, unexplained deletion of the journalists' names from local electoral...
The 2026 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) index has issued a stark warning regarding the state of journalism in India, highlighting that mainstream broadcast media is exhibiting an increasingly "overt political alignment." This concerning trend is heavily driven by rapid corporate consolidation within the broadcasting sector. Consequently, this monopolization is cultivating a highly...
Civil society groups and independent journalism bodies are fiercely continuing their unified resistance against the government's recently proposed amendments to the IT Rules. Digital reporters and content creators strongly argue that extending these highly stringent compliance obligations and harsh censorship laws to independent individuals will have devastating effects.
By enforcing...
Following sweeping newsroom cuts at The Washington Post in early 2026, an Indian-origin journalist, devastatingly laid off while on maternity leave, has become the target of severe online abuse. Trolls have mercilessly flooded her social media accounts with horrific racist attacks, including demands that she "go back to India." This distressing incident violently spotlights the highly toxic and...
Human rights monitors have reported a concerning escalation in the harassment of independent journalists covering labor rights and corporate violations across India, particularly in Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Press advocates warn that reporters and activists are increasingly facing severe retaliatory measures. These alarming tactics include sudden, overnight incommunicado detentions...
A mid-2026 human rights report jointly released by Amnesty International and the Civicus Monitor has raised serious alarms over the state of free speech in India. The comprehensive study documents the continuous and systemic use of colonial-era sedition laws and stringent anti-terror legislation to target individuals expressing critical views.
According to the findings, independent...
Reporting in Jammu & Kashmir transforms everyday journalism into a high-stakes challenge. Unlike non-conflict zones where routine reporting and asking tough questions are standard practice, in J&K, these actions can lead to police summons for "disturbing the peace." Digital privacy is non-existent, with laptops frequently seized without warrants.
Instead of simple defamation suits,...
Journalists in Jammu & Kashmir face intensifying pressure, routinely summoned to police stations and counter-insurgency centers like "Cargo" for interrogation. Authorities demand answers about confidential sources and editorial decisions. In a disturbing development, reporters are even forced to sign legal bonds promising not to publish any reports deemed to "breach the peace," effectively...
In June 2026, Kashmiri media organizations are facing severe economic pressures, threatening their survival. Resolutions passed by local newspaper bodies highlight a near-total reliance on government advertising as local businesses struggle. The state leverages this dependence, instantly choking off vital ad revenue for publications that print critical editorials or report on human rights...
Access to information is being systematically walled off in Jammu & Kashmir. In June 2026, the J&K Government issued an official circular strictly restricting all media briefings regarding the Amarnath Yatra to designated senior officers. Consequently, independent journalists are completely barred from conducting their own assessments or interviewing non-authorized personnel about the...
