India youth protests highlight mistrust in 'lapdog' media

Journalists covering youth-led protests across India last month became targets of public anger, as crowds accused television reporters of favoring Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.

Rallies organized by the online Cockroach Janta Party movement featured signs branding TV channels "India's worst enemies", with activists condemning what they called "lapdog" media aligned with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Why are Indian journalists facing anger from protesters?

Protesters accuse mainstream television channels of dismissing genuine grievances as anti-national and of favoring Modi's government. Reporters from networks including Times Now and Zee TV were heckled, chased and assaulted at rallies in Delhi, Mumbai and Patna. The backlash reflects years of eroding public trust in what critics call "godi", or lapdog, media.

At New Delhi's Jantar Mantar protest site, many students said they now rely on social media and independent platforms instead of television news. Software professional Sukhjeet Narula, 28, said it was disheartening to watch news channels brand every protest as anti-national.

The hostility quickly turned physical. Dev Kotak, a reporter with Times Now, said a crowd in New Delhi threw water at him before the confrontation escalated into slaps and kicks. "There was anger simmering around me and I was scared for my life," the 36-year-old told AFP.

Videos showing an exhausted Kotak running behind security personnel as protesters pursued him spread widely on social media. Three of his colleagues were also harassed during the demonstrations. Separate footage verified by AFP showed a Zee TV reporter heckled while broadcasting live from a protest in Mumbai, and another journalist chased by a crowd in Patna.

How have media organizations responded?

The Times Network said its journalists covered the protests in an "entirely neutral manner" but were still "assaulted in the most reprehensible manner". The broadcaster said disagreements over coverage could not justify people taking the law into their own hands.

Why do critics call TV channels 'godi' or lapdog media?

Media observers say the anger reflects years of eroding confidence in television news. Journalist Ravish Kumar told AFP that "godi" media, meaning "lap" in Hindi, are seen as anti-people and anti-opposition. He said such outlets have destroyed their own credibility by branding genuine public demands as conspiracies to demonize protesters.

Is press freedom under pressure in India?

Rights groups have raised concerns about press freedom since Modi's BJP came to power in 2014, pointing to growing hostility towards journalists seen as critical of the government. India ranks 157th out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index, down 17 places from 2013. Journalists critical of the government have faced criminal cases, arrests and online harassment from ruling party supporters.

Opposition politicians have long accused television channels of promoting the BJP's agenda, including through polarizing coverage of Muslim minorities.

Why did some journalists hide their channel logos?

Tensions grew so intense that some TV reporters concealed the names and logos of their organizations while covering the protests. "They stopped coming with logos on their mics because the youth were targeting them," said Shailendra Singh, 30, a private sector employee. "The mainstream media has completely sold out to the government," he added.

Atul Chaurasia, managing editor of the Newslaundry digital platform, said traditional newsrooms depend on a "flawed financial model" built around government advertising revenue. He told AFP that the government "weaponizes advertising, effectively destroying the environment that allows media organizations to operate freely".

Are independent journalists treated differently from big networks?

Kumar said it was important to distinguish between large TV networks and independent outlets that often face government pressure. He said alternative media and independent journalists face raids, are branded anti-national, or are even imprisoned, unlike larger broadcasters accused of favoring the ruling party.

Kumar argued the recent anger reflects a broader view that some TV networks have become a threat to democracy. He said "godi" media outlets have become a liability, even for Modi himself.