Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Aditi Tyagi
Aditi Tyagi
The Indian National Congress (INC) has faced criticism in the past for allegedly attempting to
suppress or influence media coverage, though it's essential to note that such incidents are often
contested and can involve various perspectives. Here are a few instances where the INC has been
accused of harassing or attempting to suppress media:
1. **Emergency (1975-1977):** One of the most significant instances of media suppression in India
occurred during the Emergency period declared by then-Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, who was a
prominent leader of the INC. During this period, press freedom was severely curtailed, with
censorship imposed on newspapers and journalists. Several journalists were arrested, and media
outlets critical of the government faced persecution.
2. **Rajiv Gandhi's Government:** There have been allegations that during Rajiv Gandhi's tenure as
Prime Minister in the late 1980s, there were attempts to control media coverage through various
means, including pressure on journalists and media organizations. Critics have pointed to instances
where government advertisements were allegedly used as leverage to influence media content.
3. **Bofors Scandal:** During the Bofors scandal in the late 1980s, which involved allegations of
corruption in a defense deal, there were accusations that the INC government under Rajiv Gandhi
attempted to suppress negative coverage in the media. Journalists who reported on the scandal
faced pressure and intimidation.
4. **Satyendra Dubey Case:** While not directly related to media suppression, the case of Satyendra
Dubey, an engineer who was murdered after exposing corruption in government contracts, raised
concerns about press freedom and the safety of whistleblowers. Critics argued that the INC-led
government at the time failed to protect whistleblowers and investigate their allegations.
These examples highlight instances where the INC has been accused of attempting to suppress or
influence media coverage, though it's important to acknowledge that political perspectives on these
incidents may vary, and there may be differing interpretations of events.