Twitter: @the_news_21
In a remarkable and coordinated move, Chief Ministers of the INDIA Alliance, representing 11 states, have joined forces to suspend state-run advertisements on what they have collectively dubbed “propaganda channels,” as reported by various sources.
This decision follows closely on the heels of their controversial announcement to boycott select news anchors, igniting heated debates and discussions across the nation.
The decision to block state-sponsored advertisements on these channels, frequently pejoratively referred to as “Godi Media” by political opponents, is poised to deliver a substantial financial blow to specific media outlets.
The INDIA Alliance, which includes Chief Ministers from Delhi, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Bihar, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, and Jharkhand, has taken a united stand in ceasing advertising on these particular television channels.
This latest development comes as part of the INDIA Alliance’s broader efforts to challenge what they perceive as biased reporting and unfair treatment by select media personalities.
The media committee of the alliance has actively discouraged their participation in programs or debates hosted by these channels. Pawan Khera, a Congress spokesperson and committee member representing opposition parties, defended the decision, emphasizing that certain channels have fostered a “market for hatred” over the past nine years.
The News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) has expressed deep concern over this decision, asserting that it sets a disconcerting precedent. They argue that the boycott runs counter to the principles of democracy, sparking a wider debate about the role of media in a democratic society.
In a retaliatory move, the Congress party accused the ruling BJP of boycotting ABP anchor Sandeep Chaudhary for a month for “questioning” the saffron party. It has been alleged that no official spokesperson from the BJP appeared on Chaudhary’s debate on ABP News after he posed challenging questions to MP Anurag Thakur during an August 15 broadcast.
As this clash between political leaders and media outlets escalates, it remains to be seen how this unprecedented move will impact the landscape of Indian media and the relationship between politics and journalism in the country.
