India has plunged to 151 in the Global Press Freedom Index. Why? Because the BJP regime fears questions. It raids newsrooms, jails reporters, and...
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin defended press freedom on World Press Freedom Day, warning that democratic accountability collapses when independent journalism faces suppression.
M.K.Stalin@mkstalinOriginal post
India has plunged to 151 in the Global Press Freedom Index. Why?
Because the BJP regime fears questions. It raids newsrooms, jails reporters, and silences those who expose corruption, rights violations, and its majoritarian agenda.
On this #WorldPressFreedomDay, let us remind ourselves: without fearless journalism, democracy dies in darkness. That is why we must safeguard press freedom—not just for the media, but for every citizen’s right to know, question, and speak truth to power.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin issued a passionate appeal on World Press Freedom Day, expressing grave concern over India's decline to 151st position in the Global Press Freedom Index. Attributing this precipitous drop to authoritarian tactics pursued by the Union government, Stalin argued that aggressive intimidation, newsroom raids, and retaliatory arrests of investigative journalists undermine the foundational principles of Indian democracy. He stressed that a free and uninhibited press remains indispensable for holding executive authority accountable to the general public.
Stalin asserted that when investigative journalists are systematically silenced, citizens lose their democratic right to access verified facts, expose institutional corruption, and scrutinize official decisions. He emphasized that genuine democratic traditions require vibrant, independent media platforms capable of speaking truth to power without fear of administrative reprisal or harassment. The Chief Minister contrasted this national climate with Tamil Nadu's proactive policy of engaging transparently with the media corps.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed that the Dravidian Model administration will vigorously defend freedom of expression, institutional transparency, and journalists' rights. He urged all democratic forces across India to unite in protecting fearless journalistic enquiry from suppression.