Concerns Grow Over Press Freedom Under New BJP Government

New Delhi: The first assembly session under the newly sworn BJP government is already creating headlines regarding obstruction of Press Freedom. Several journalists were temporarily blocked from the entrance of the legislative assembly when it started its session.

Three journalists were denied entry on the first day when Rekha Gupta was sworn in as chief minister. On the second day, five journalists were denied access. Even though the government claims it was miscommunication, there is a screenshot of WhatsApp chat, where the names of journalists were sent to an unknown recipient from the assembly. Those who were denied entry to assembly appear to be on the list, too.

Niranjan Mishra from ANI, Deepak Rawat from ABP News, and Sweta from PTI were the journalists who were denied entry on the first day. Five others were stopped the next day, including Pulkit Nagar from Times Now Navbharat, Mohit Bakshi from News Nation, Javed Mansoori from News18, Devesh Bhati from Zee News, and Namit Tyagi from Jantantra were denied entry the very next day. These journalists even carried their accreditation identity cards and were denied entrance into legislative assembly premises.

These reporters extensively covered Delhi Assembly reports for decades. Many responded with astonishment at the move from the newly sworn BJP government. Some commented that such restrictions were not witnessed before. Those who have no accreditation even get entry with a letter from their organisation. Some point out that this move can be compared with the BJP led Gujarat legislative assembly, where there is no access to journalists inside the assembly.

DUJ Demands Press Access to Delhi Assembly

New Delhi: The Delhi Union of Journalists(DUJ) condemns the attempt by the newly sworn in BJP government in Delhi to deny entry for certain reporters to the Assembly to cover the proceedings. Some of these journalists were later allowed inside after their colleagues protested.

The Speaker’s office said it was a miscommunication. However, a pattern is clearly visible in this episode. The DUJ, along with other journalists’ bodies, has been demanding that the authorities reinstate the system of journalists' passes. The Delhi government seems to be copying the increasingly restrictive methods being employed in Parliament to restrict coverage.

We have repeatedly protested the fact that the Parliament Secretariat now issues only temporary/ sessional passes even for veteran journalists as well as those who fall into the long and distinguished journalists category.

The DUJ also condemns the central and state accreditation policies that are discriminatory in composition, favour certain journalists, are biased against independent journalists and even target select unions and associations. These policies and practices should be reviewed.

The Delhi Union of Journalists urges the Delhi Assembly authorities to immediately issue regular passes for all eligible journalists to cover the Assembly proceedings, in the interests of transparency.