Telangana Chief Minister Sparks Outrage Over Anti-Journalist Remarks

August 1, 2025 – India –

Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy is facing strong criticism from media professionals and civil society after making a series of aggressive and dismissive statements targeting journalists. During a recent public event, Reddy remarked that he sometimes feels like “slapping young journalists,” citing dissatisfaction with their reporting. The statement, widely condemned by press freedom advocates, has been viewed as not only unprofessional but also threatening, especially in a country where journalists already face harassment and violence.

In follow-up comments, Reddy attempted to distinguish between “genuine journalists” and those he referred to as “pretenders” or politically affiliated media figures. He claimed that party-backed journalism undermines the profession and misleads the public. However, rather than clarifying his earlier statement, his remarks further fueled the controversy by implying that critical or independent media voices could be dismissed as illegitimate.

The comments have drawn widespread backlash from journalist unions and watchdog organizations, who see Reddy’s statements as emblematic of a broader pattern of intolerance toward critical media in Indian politics. Critics argue that such rhetoric, especially coming from a sitting chief minister, contributes to a dangerous environment where journalists are more vulnerable to threats, both online and offline.

These developments come at a time when press freedom in India is under heightened scrutiny, with multiple reports highlighting the challenges journalists face, including legal harassment, censorship, and physical violence. Reddy’s remarks add to growing concerns about the erosion of journalistic independence and the normalization of hostile discourse against the media by elected officials.

Despite the outrage, the Telangana government has yet to issue a formal apology or retraction. Many observers warn that unless such behaviour is challenged and accountability enforced, it could further embolden political leaders across the spectrum to target journalists with impunity.