Opposition bloc INDIA to boycott shows of 14 TV journalists

The Opposition bloc INDIA has released a list of 14 television news anchors whose shows will be boycotted by the alliance's media representatives.

The list comes a day after the coordination committee of the 26 party-bloc held its first meeting and released a joint statement. In the statement, the committee authorised its media group to decide on the names of the anchors on whose shows none of the INDIA parties will send their representatives.

Speaking about the decision, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, who released the list, said, "Today, we took a decision. Some anchors have been marked and their shows and events will be boycotted. We do not want to legitimise this hate-filled narrative which is corroding our society."

"You make headlines against our leaders, make memes, twist their speeches, spread fake news but we are ready to fight against that. But if you spread hatred in the society which takes the form of violence, we don't want to be a part of that," he added.

He further said, "With a heavy heart, we have taken this decision. We are not opposed to any of these anchors. We don't hate any of these anchors. But, we love our country more. We love our Bharat."

The News Broadcasters



and Digital Association (NBDA) on Thursday expressed concern over the decision of the INDIA bloc to not send their representatives to the shows and events hosted by 14 journalists and news anchors.

“The decision taken by the INDIA Media Committee sets a dangerous precedent,” NBDA said in a statement. The association said that the ban “goes against the ethos of democracy” and is a sign of “intolerance”.

The NBDA urged the opposition alliance to withdraw its decision as it would amount to “browbeating journalists and stifling freedom of speech and expression of the media”.

Meanwhile, the BJP criticised the Congress party over the move, saying the party has a history of bullying the media. In a post on X, BJP chief JP Nadda said, "The history of Congress has many instances of bullying the media and silencing those with differing views. Pandit Nehru curtailed free speech and arrested those who criticised him. Indira Ji remains the Gold Medal winner of how to do it- called for committed judiciary, committed bureaucracy and imposed the horrific Emergency. Rajiv Ji tried to bring media under state control but failed miserably. Sonia Ji-led UPA was banning social media handles simply because the Congress did not like their views."