Key facts
- Police used excessive and targeted force on journalists covering youth-led protests in India, according to press groups.
- Dozens of journalists were detained for hours before being released.
- Some journalists reported being dragged, roughly handled, and having their phones seized.
- Reporters Without Borders stated that tactics are designed to stifle media coverage and suppress journalism.
- India ranks 157 out of 180 countries in the press freedom index of Reporters Without Borders.
- The Indian constitution recognizes journalists' rights under free speech provisions but allows reasonable restrictions.
Police in India used excessive and targeted force on journalists covering youth-led protests, according to local press groups and international media rights bodies, raising concerns about press freedom in the country.
Young Indians, mobilized by the "cockroach" youth movement and supported by opposition parties, protested in New Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They allege that over 130 million voters were removed from the electoral roll to benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party in upcoming elections, a charge the Election Commission denies.
Nearly three dozen journalists from outlets including the Indian Express, Scroll, and Newslaundry were detained for hours, with some reporting they were roughly handled and had their phones seized. A Reuters reporter at the scene also experienced brief detention. Delhi police did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the detentions and handling of journalists.
Earlier, police stated on X that some protesters had posed as journalists and interfered with their work. The government also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ritika Jain, India representative of Reporters Without Borders, stated that the authorities' tactics are designed to stifle media coverage and suppress journalism, citing detention, surveillance, and content removal as a chain of restrictions.
Following the police action, lawyers sought a ruling from India's top court, which affirmed the right of lawyers and journalists to perform their duties. However, some detentions reportedly occurred after this court order.
The Press Club of India described the police action as "a blatant attack on the freedom of press." In a joint statement with three other bodies, it noted that journalists were held while filming police detaining protesters and had their devices seized, seeking a formal apology and investigation.
Anmol Pritam, a reporter at Newslaundry, recounted being grabbed, having his mic, phone snatched, and being forcefully detained for nearly three hours on October 10 while interviewing detained individuals.
India's ranking in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index has fallen to 157 out of 180 countries, from 133 a decade ago. Critics attribute this decline to the Modi government's efforts to restrain the press and limit dissenting voices, a claim the Indian government has often denied. The Indian constitution recognizes journalists' rights to free speech but allows for reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order.