Opposition parties in India boycott TV news anchors accused of bias

Opposition claims that many news anchors from different TV channels are biased toward ruling party, leading to exclusion of minorities

NEW DELHI, India – India’s opposition coalition challenging Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to boycott 14 anchors from different TV networks.

They accuse these anchors of spreading hatred and being biased towards the Indian nationalist BJP.

The Congress Party, a key component of the alliance, emphasized its refusal to participate in broadcasts it calls “hateful.”

They believe that such broadcasts degrade social values.

Since Modi took office in 2014, concerns about press freedom in India have increased.

The opposition claims that many news broadcasts from TV are biased toward BJP interests, sometimes leading to the exclusion of Muslim and Christian minorities.

The nature of debate in Indian news is often contentious. Opposition parties argue that many of these broadcasts lack objectivity.

Sudhir Chaudhary of Aaj Tak was one of the presenters mentioned.

He criticized the opposition’s decision, saying that their unwillingness to answer difficult questions jeopardizes the independence of the media.

India’s position in the global press freedom index has worsened and it now ranks 161st out of 180 countries.

Reporters who criticize the government often face legal and online attacks, particularly from BJP supporters.

In addition, the acquisition of a significant stake in NDTV, a previously independent television station, by business tycoon Gautam Adani, a close ally of the prime minister, has raised further concerns.

The organization Reporters Without Borders called the move a sign of a decline in media diversity.