Showing its grave concern over the condition of Indian journalists, ‘Reporters Without Borders’ writes: “With a rise in violence against journalists, highly concentrated media ownership, and outlets with increasingly overt political alignment, press freedom is in crisis in “the world’s largest democracy.”
Is press freedom in India really in crisis? What do the central government representatives say? How do they see the role of the media in India?
“The role of the media as society’s conscious watchdog is immeasurable. As the voice of the people, journalists have consistently worked to protect freedom of speech and ensure accountability,” Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways (MoPSW), Sarbananda Sonowal said.
Addressing the 17th Central Mid-Term Conference of the Assam Press Correspondents’ Union (APCU) on 03 JAN 2026 in Tinsukia in Assam, Sonowal said the press carries a critical responsibility in safeguarding freedom of expression and strengthening democratic values in a rapidly evolving information landscape.
Here arises the question: If the Union minister agrees that safeguarding freedom of expression is so important and the journalists have consistently worked to protect freedom of speech and ensure accountability, then why is India at the 157th position out of 180 countries in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, as released by Reporters Without Borders on April 30, 2026? In the 2025 index, India was ranked 151st, so the current ranking marks a six-place further drop. Why is our freedom of expression showing a downward trend? Doesn’t it reflect the ‘Throttling Freedom of Expression’? Why do journalists have to face brutal actions by the police?
CHANDIGARH PRESS CLUB MEMBERS– File PHOTO SAURABH DUGGAL FB PAGE.
It is noted that journalists face direct physical danger while conducting on-the-ground reporting. Incidents of police hostility remain a critical issue. For instance, in September 2026, the Press Club of India condemned the Delhi Police following allegations that two freelance journalists were physically assaulted while trying to cover an event. The most disturbing thing is that even female reporters face disproportionate risks, including aggressive online trolling and explicit threats of sexual violence intended to intimidate them into silence, despite India’s constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a).
Let us examine two recent incidents showing the ground picture of freedom of expression and police tyranny against the mouthpiece of freedom of expression.
In the first recent incident, allegedly manhandling the two journalists first at the incident spot by a group of Delhi Police personnel from the Saket Police Station, and then dragging them into a police vehicle and taking them to the Saket Police Station, has angered the journalists’ associations.
In a joint press statement on September 3, 2026, The Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists, Press Association, and Kerala Union of Working Journalist strongly condemned the incident and have called for punitive action against Delhi Police officials posted at the Saket Police Station, including the Station House Officer (SHO), for alleged brutally assaulting freelance journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan while they were reporting about the inauguration of a new wing at the Max Hospital in Saket by Home Minister, Amit Shah and Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta.
As per the statement, the two journalists were first manhandled at the spot by a group of Delhi Police personnel from the Saket Police Station, and then they were dragged into a police vehicle and taken to the Saket Police Station. Upon reaching the police station, the SHO allegedly instructed police officials to take the two journalists to a room, where women officers also joined, and started beating Shaheen and Nafisa. The police officials then determined their religious identity and escalated their attacks, reportedly hurling religion-specific abuses at the two. They were also threatened with the registration of FIRs. As per the videos circulating on social media, the two journalists suffered multiple bruises and welts on their bodies.
The statement further states, “The Press Club of India along with the undersigned organisations strongly urge Commissioner, Delhi Police, Anurag Kumar, to launch a free and fair investigation against the police officials who were involved in the assault against the two journalists. We call upon the Press Council of India to take suo moto cognisance of this matter and launch an independent investigation against the police officials who violently tried to suppress press freedom.”
TWO WOMEN JOURNALISTS WITH AIDWA COMMITTEE MEMBERS-PHOTO CREDIT CPIM X.
Raising the issue of the two women journalists, Alka Lamba, President of Mahila Congress, condemned the police action and stated that what happened to female journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan is utterly shameful. Lamba asked in her statement, on September 4, tweeted on Congress @INCIndia X account, ‘What was wrong if the two women journalists wanted to ask Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Rekha Gupta the questions?’
What are the questions mentioned in the tweet?
Why did 15-year-old girl Tanvi breathe her last at Delhi AIIMS due to lack of treatment?
Why was Home Minister ji busy with the inauguration of a private hospital instead of visiting AIIMS?
A few days ago, a minor girl was gang-raped on a moving bus—when will the government answer on the safety of women and girls?
Alka Lamba alleges in the tweet that after asking such questions, the police assaulted the female journalists, resulting in deep wounds on their bodies. Lamba demands that action be taken against the policemen involved in this incident and they be immediately suspended. Also, the Delhi government should make public the CCTV footage related to the incident.
All India Democratic Women’s Association has also come forward in support of the victimised women journalists. The AIDWA Delhi Committee reached out in solidarity with the two young journalists, Shaheen and Nafeesa Khan of 4 PM News Network, who were allegedly beaten by the Delhi Police when they went to cover the Delhi Chief Minister’s programme. AIDWA further alleged that they were especially targeted when the police came to know of their identity as Muslims. On behalf of the AIDWA Delhi Committee, State Secretary Kavita Sharma assured them of all support. AIDWA has planned to meet the police authorities to demand the filing of an FIR.
Another recent incident shows how the dissident voice of the journalists is being tried to be silenced by the governments. On September 2, Jagwinder Patial, a Punjab-based journalist, reportedly aired a report concerning allegations of an alleged nexus relating to transfer-posting, Change of Land Use (CLU), tender allotments, arms licences and confidential government policy matters. The very next morning (September 3), the Punjab Police withdrew his security cover, Press Club Chandigarh divulged in its press note.
Condemning the step of the Punjab government, the Press Club has strongly criticized the Punjab Police and the AAP-led Punjab Government for withdrawing the security cover of journalist Jagwinder Patial barely a day after he aired a report on ABP News raising serious questions about an alleged corruption nexus involving Punjab Chief Minister’s OSD Rajbir Singh and his associates.
“The Chandigarh Press Club is deeply concerned by the timing of the security withdrawal. Patial was provided Y+ security in 2023 following serious threat inputs relating to his life from radical elements and Punjab-based gangsters. The security was provided after the matter was considered by the competent protection review mechanism. The Press Club finds this sequence of events deeply disturbing and unacceptable.”
In a press statement, issued by Club’s president Saurabh Duggal on September 3, 2026, the club states that when a journalist, who had earlier been assessed as facing a serious threat to his life, faces withdrawal of security immediately after publishing a report critical of those in power, it inevitably raises serious questions about whether the action is intended to intimidate, pressure or silence the journalist.
The Press Club emphasises that journalists cannot be expected to remain silent merely because their reporting may be inconvenient to those in power. Investigative journalism, questioning the government and reporting matters of public interest are essential to a functioning democracy.
“The Press Club strongly condemns any action that affects journalists and their professional work. The Club stands firmly with Jagwinder Patial and all journalists who discharge their professional responsibilities without fear or favour. Freedom of the press is a cornerstone of democracy. Any attempt to intimidate or silence journalists must be resisted collectively and unequivocally”, Saurabh Duggal, President Chandigarh Press Club, said.
Why are such actions taken by the police against the journalists doing their duty? Are India’s constitutional guarantees for freedom of expression under Article 19(1)(a) just the lines inscribed in the Constitution? Do these have no meaning for the police and the ruling parties?
