JournalismPakistan.com | Published June 09, 2017
Join our WhatsApp channel
NEW DELHI - Indian journalists protested Friday against raids conducted by the police into the founders of news channel NDTV, a move they described as an attack on the country's freedom of press.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) this week brought a fraud case against the founders of NDTV, India's oldest English-language all-news channel, raiding their homes after accusing them of failing to repay a multi-million-dollar bank loan. The company refuted allegations that the bank loan was unpaid and accused the CBI of "concerted harassment", saying the move had been spurred by unhappiness over NDTV's coverage.
The raids have drawn criticism from opposition political parties, journalist groups such as the Editors' Guild of India, Press Club of India and All India Newspaper Editors' Conference, at a time when Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist government has been accused of intolerance towards dissenting views.
"It is one of those times when we have to forget our organizational and institutional affiliations. This is an issue that concerns the mother of all our institutions - the free press," said Shekhar Gupta, a veteran journalist and commentator.
The NDTV raid has also shone a spotlight in the fiercely competitive TV news industry. Analysts say some channels have also tested the boundaries of responsible journalism, especially in prime-time talk shows that often turn rowdy.
The Information and Broadcasting minister Venkaiah Naidu dismissed the allegations that the NDTV searches were an encroachment on press freedom. Senior officials in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office and members of his nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have told Reuters they consider NDTV to be the least government-friendly channel.
India slipped three places to 136th in this year's World Press Freedom Index compiled by Reporters Without Border, which highlighted concerns that Hindu nationalists were "trying to purge all manifestations of anti-national thought". - Reuters
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 26, 2025: In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.
May 25, 2025: PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.
May 25, 2025: Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.