‘Safer, but not exempt’: On regional differences in press freedom

‘Safer, but not exempt’: On regional differences in press freedom | Hafta x South Central SPECIAL

1 day ago 5

#pressfreedom Tune into the full episode: https://www.newslaundry.com/2025/05/13/hafta-x-south-central-feat-kunal-kamra-a-crossover-episode-on-free-speech On reflecting on the uneven landscape of press freedom in India, Abhinandan Sekhri observed that the experience of reporters often differs starkly between the northern and southern states. Abhinandan Sekhri, Pooja Prasanna, Dhanya Rajendran, and Manisha Pande discussed the broader concerns around political culture and the conditionalities of journalistic autonomy. "Colleagues reporting from Uttar Pradesh or parts of Noida tend to exercise greater caution than those based in the southern states," said Abhinandan Sekhri, adding that this heightened vigilance stems from both formal and informal repercussions. In contrast, southern states have traditionally allowed for a slightly wider berth in criticism, in part due to the presence of non-aligned regional governments and relatively pluralistic political ecosystems. However, freedom is neither absolute nor uniform. Dhanya Rajendran noted, while they feel relatively safer, there is an unspoken hesitancy among sections of the liberal media to critique governments like those of the CPI(M) or the DMK too strongly — fearing that persistent criticism might create political openings for the BJP. “The idea is — if we overdo it, will we enable the alternative?” she said, calling it a form of self-censorship that coexists with broader democratic engagement. Instances of state pushback have also been documented in Telangana and Kerala, including cases filed against journalists. In Kerala, recent cases have focused on the editor of a controversial magazine, while in Telangana, earlier patterns of intimidation have given way to selective tolerance. Pooja Prasanna added that the “tyranny of distance” — the geographical and political remoteness from Delhi — may have inadvertently shielded journalists in the South. She recounted an incident from the tenure of former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, when, despite being unfairly targeted by a TV campaign, he remained civil and even hospitable during a face-to-face interaction. “He told me: you’re doing your job, and I’m doing mine,” she said, noting the absence of personal animosity. While she acknowledged that not all political actors exhibit such tolerance — citing instances involving BJP leaders — she maintained that the prevailing culture remains comparatively democratic. Both Dhanya Rajendran and Pooja Prasanna concurred that police conduct, especially regarding press-related cases and device seizures, tends to be uniform across states — a reminder that structural challenges persist regardless of geography. Though journalists in the South may operate with relatively more latitude, the space is increasingly under pressure, and that solidarity across regions remains vital to safeguarding the freedom of the press. Subscribe to Newslaundry: https://rzp.io/rzp/nlsm Download the accessible Newslaundry app: https://www.newslaundry.com/download-app Join us on WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va61PEo0QeacOqU9vr2k Follow and engage with us on social media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/newslaundry Twitter: https://twitter.com/newslaundry Instagram: https://instagram.com/newslaundry

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