2 journalist bodies condemn Rahul Gandhi talk on media impartiality
Times of India
by TNNFebruary 14, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Two prominent journalist organizations in India have criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his recent comments questioning the impartiality of journalists. Speaking outside Parliament, Gandhi suggested that media coverage was not sufficiently objective and accused reporters of being influenced by political affiliations. His remarks were particularly aimed at media perceived as supportive of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). This critique sparked a strong response from the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Delhi Journalists Association (DJA), who jointly condemned his comments as inappropriate and detrimental to press freedom.
The criticism from these organizations highlights concerns over what they perceive as an attack on media independence. NUJ President Ras Bihar emphasized that such statements undermine the role of journalism in a democracy, which is crucial for holding power accountable. Similarly, DJA President Rakesh Thapliyal and General Secretary Pramod Kumar Singh argued that associating journalists with any political party undermines their professional integrity and independence.
Gandhi's comments came during a discussion on whether a privilege notice would be filed against him over his recent speech in Parliament regarding the Budget. He suggested that media coverage often repeats government statements without critical analysis, urging reporters
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/14/2026