English हिन्दी
Connect with us

India News

Media: Trumping Government in US; Modified in India

Published

on

Media: Trumping Government in US; Modified in India

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]By Ranjona Banerji

Six months into Donald Trump’s presidency and the standoff with the bulk of the American media continues. The President continues to whine on Twitter and elsewhere about how badly he is being treated and the media explains to the people why he is being treated as he deserves. His failed executive orders, his exaggerations and lies, his possible Russia connections, his firing of the FBI chief, his inexplicable tweets – they are all excoriated, mocked and examined by mainstream journalists, comedians, actors, talk show hosts and more.

There has also been, from day one, open discussion about the White House denying access to journalists. Some publications and news channels were banned for a while. Some boycotted the regular briefings. Most recently, White House press secretary Sean Spicer has taken to conducting no-camera no-audio press briefings. The logic is that the President will say things himself but that argument hardly stands at a press briefing where the president is not present. At a discussion on this subject broadcast on CNN, journalists were clear that Spicer did not want his explanations of what the President was saying or doing to be recorded for posterity.

The American media, for the most part, see it as their duty to bring every aspect of the American presidency and government to the public. In their minds, denying access to journalists is like denying access to the people of America. It is a notion of democracy that could not be more different from what we have become used to in India.

Here too, the administration at the Centre is closed and inaccessible. But this lack of news emitting from Union government departments is discussed in press clubs and newsrooms. It is not laid bare in front of the public. The lack of information is evident from the recent BJP pick for President of India after Pranab Mukherjee’s term ends. For months, political journalists in Delhi have been waving names in front of the public – LK Advani, then not Advani after the Babri demolition case re-appeared, Murli Manohar Joshi, Sushma Swaraj, Narayana Murthy, Draupadi Murmu, some fantastic out of the box name and so on. No one got close to the candidate chosen by the BJP because the decision was made only by Narendra Modi and Amit Shah. It is well known in Delhi circles that all decisions, in fact, are made by the Prime Minister and the BJP president and few are in the know – except perhaps Union finance minister Arun Jaitley more than any other.

The immediate reaction from a media prone to genuflection was to tell the people how the choice of Ram Nath Kovind, whom no one had really heard of, in spite of being governor of Bihar, was a masterstroke (if only the media had thought of this) which has stumped the opposition – the main purpose in choosing a candidate.

But instead of sharing the problems of reporting on a closed, secretive government with the people of India, journalists have pretended that all is well and let off steam through gossip. Some media outlets have turned themselves into government spokespersons, others have attacked the Opposition because they are too scared of the government to take it to task when it falters or makes a mistake.

This has been most evident when Kashmir exploded last year spiralling into one of the worst crises in recent times, when Dalits were being picked on and killed, when murderous groups were lynching and beating people in the name of cow protection and now when farmers are out on the streets in anger: some sections of the media looked to protect the government from any blowback and blame the opposition instead.

The worst instance was when demonetisation was unleashed on India. It took our courageous news channels weeks to realise that the currency crunch was causing havoc across India. Although the impact is still being felt on falling economic indicators, few of our television heroes have had the courage to take the government on. After the CBI raids on NDTV recently, some may think there is good reason for this discretion.

But the US President attacking the New York Times and Washington Post for instance and accusing them of publishing “fake news” has only brought these two rival newspapers closer. Nor has the rest of the media backed down regardless of the rage of the presidency. How many media houses in India have been that brave?

The sad, sad lesson to Indian journalists and their bosses continues.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

Published

on

Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

Continue Reading

India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

Published

on

Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

Published

on

Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com