Why Media Lose Freedom, HP News about FIR
The freedom of the media/press is a cornerstone of any democracy, but recent circumstances in Himachal Pradesh have raised questions about the state of this freedom in the nation. A concern about a trend is emerging where journalists who publish reports crucial to the government face legal action, even when their reporting is grounded in fact.
The Government’s Reaction to Sad News: An Unwell Pattern
In a troubling story, journalists are being slapped with FIRs (First Information Reports) only because their news reports do not align with the government’s chronology (Why Media Lose Freedom, HP News about FIR).
Whether the news is truthful or critical, if it doesn’t align with the government’s, actions will be quickly taken. The Himachal Pradesh government has recently proved this through its actions against digital news media.
The News Radar and the Election Results Controversy
On October 8, The News Radar, a Dharamshala-based digital news channel, reported on the government’s handling of the economy in Himachal Pradesh. The headline, “Did Congress Lose Haryana Due to Sukhu Government’s Financial Mismanagement?” was published while election results from Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir were coming in.
The report blamed the Himachal government, stating that it was unable to fulfill its election oaths, leading to wage delays for state employees and a growing financial crisis.
Threats and FIR Against the Journalist
The chief editor of Sunil Chaddha’s The News Radar showcased quotes from PM Modi along with statements from BJP leaders.
Despite covering both sides of the political expanse, the article faced backlash. Within half an hour of the bulletin, Chaddha received threatening calls from Congress leaders, warning him of legal consequences. By evening, an FIR was registered against him in Shimla, accusing him of cheating and conspiracy under Section 3364 and 612 BNS.
Political Backlash: BJP Accuses Congress of Suppressing Press Freedom
BJP leaders, including Hamirpur MP Anurag Thakur, criticized the FIR, accusing the Congress government of stopping press freedom. Thakur pointed out that such actions have chronological roots, as previous Congress governments under Nehru and Indira Gandhi were known for jailing newspeople who criticized their rules.
He highlighted that the current Congress authority in Himachal Pradesh is tracking the same pattern by filing cases against media outlets where they report on their flaws.
Supreme Court’s Stance on Press Freedom
In a recent judgment, the Supreme Court of India reaffirmed the significance of press freedom, remarking that criticism of the government cannot be grounds for rubbing criminal cases against journalists. A judiciary of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SV M Bhati underlined that we must respect freedom of expression in a democracy. Despite this, journalists across states like Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Gujarat continue to face legal challenges if news reporters report on government collapses.
A Threat to Freedom.
A Threat to Freedom of Expression?
The enduring trend of filing FIRs against correspondents who criticize state governments raises critical problems about the future of press liberation in India. Is the freedom of expression under threat? The increasing number of cases against journalists implies that governments, unable to tolerate criticism, are resorting to legal intimidation to stifle dissent.
This concerning pattern points to a more serious issue—if the press cannot freely condemn the government, democracy may be in trouble.
