"Won't Legitimise Hate Narrative": Congress Announces Anchor Boycott List

The Congress today announced a list of 14 anchors, saying their shows and programmes will be boycotted by the leaders of the united Opposition. "We do not hate these anchors but we love the country more," declared the party's senior leader Pawan Khera, accusing them opening a "shop of hatred" every evening.

"We do not want to legitimise this hate filled narrative that is corroding our society," he added in a video message posted on X, formerly Twitter.

The BJP lost no time in retaliating. "The history of Congress has many instances of bullying the media and silencing those with differing views," posted party chief JP Nadda, alleging that every member of the Nehru-Gandhi family, starting with India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, had tried to control and silence the media.

"The decision taken by the INDI Alliance parties involved in the arrogant alliance to boycott and threaten journalists is highly condemnable. This reflects their oppressive and dictatorial thinking. BJP strongly condemns this poor mentality of the Alliance", tweeted BJP National Media In-charge Anil Baluni,

In a statement, the News Broadcasters & Digital Association said it was "deeply anguished and concerned" by the decision of the Opposition alliance.

"The ban on representatives of the opposition alliance from participating in TV news shows anchored by some of India's top TV news personalities goes against the ethos of democracy. It betokens intolerance and imperils press freedom," the statement read.

The decision to boycott  anchors and shows was taken at the first meeting of the INDIA coordination committee held at the home of Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar yesterday evening.  

The opposition has repeatedly accused a section of media of hostility and spewing hate.

During Rahul Gandhi's Bharat Jodo Yatra, the Congress accused a section of the media of giving it meagre coverage.  It was voiced by Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok GEhlot when the yatra was passing through the state.

In May 2019 too, the Congress had also boycotted television shows for a month.

"The Congress has decided to not send spokespersons on television debates for a month. All media channels/editors are requested to not place Congress representatives on their shows," senior party leader Randeep Surjewala had posted on Twitter, now renamed X.