Question on media freedom in Himachal: FIR lodged in Shimla against The Newz Radar for report on Congress defeat in Haryana
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Shimla/Dharamshala: An FIR is learnt to have been lodged against The Newz Radar, the first English digital news network based in Himachal Pradesh, following the publication of an article suggesting that the “BJP sought to gain political advantage in the Haryana Assembly elections by highlighting the alleged financial crisis in Himachal Pradesh”.
The Newz Radar is yet to be contacted officially by the Himachal police, but the FIR details have been circulating on social media.
The purported FIR No. 132/2024 is shown to have been registered on October 8, 2024, at the Sadar police station in Shimla under Sections 336(4) and 61(2) of the BNS Act. The complainant is Sandeep Aukta, a resident of Hemant Niwas, Kasumpti, Shimla.
A
ukta, 50, alleged that on October 8, 2024, while walking on Shimla’s Mall Road, he came across the article on The Newz Radar’s website via his mobile phone. He alleged that the article was “false, baseless and fabricated, and published with an intention to malign the reputation of Congress leaders”.
The Newz Radar strongly refutes these allegations as unfounded, hereby providing a point-by-point explanation to defend the article’s accuracy.
Related Article : https://thenewzradar.com/did-congress-lose-haryana-due-to-sukhu-govts-financial-mismanagement-in-himachal/
Reported penned by Executive Editor Sunil Chadha
The report was penned by Sunil Chadha, Executive Editor of The Newz Radar, who has over 20 years of impeccable experience in journalism. Sunil Chadha has broken numerous high-profile stories, including the recent Himachal Pradesh Police recruitment scam, KCC Bank loan scam, and a land scam involving a former minister.
The report, titled “Did Congress lose Haryana due to Sukhu govt’s ‘financial mismanagement’ in Himachal?”, highlighted how the ruling BJP in neighbouring Haryana partly focused its campaign on the alleged financial crisis facing the Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu-led Congress government.
The BJP cited issues like the unprecedented delay in the disbursement of salaries and pensions, controversial “toilet tax” and the rollback of power and water subsidies. The saffron party secured its historic third consecutive victory in Haryana.
The article pointed to discussions on social media where users claimed that the BJP utilised the alleged financial troubles in Himachal as a key campaign theme, warning that Haryana “could face a similar situation if the Congress was voted to power”.
Issue raised by PM Modi, Nadda, Shah
The report also cited political analysts and detailed how top BJP leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and party president JP Nadda, repeatedly highlighted the alleged financial mismanagement in Himachal Pradesh during their Haryana campaign. Former Himachal CM Jai Ram Thakur also amplified the issue during the campaign in Haryana, seeking attention to the Sukhu government’s handling of finances.
Also Read:https://thenewzradar.com/mp-high-court-issues-notice-to-kangana-ranaut-as-controversial-comment-returns-to-haunt-her/
Newz Radar presented Congress’ side too
Adhering to journalistic standards, The Newz Radar report also included the Congress’ perspective. It quoted Chief Minister Sukhu, during his campaign tour, clarifying that the “delays in payments were a strategic financial decision, and did not reflect a deeper crisis”. Congress leaders argued that the BJP was politicising the issue to deflect attention from its own shortcomings after a decade-long rule in Haryana.
Concerns about freedom of Press
The FIR raises significant concerns about media freedom in Himachal Pradesh, especially the role of the press in political reporting. Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution ensures the right to freedom of speech and expression, a cornerstone of democratic functioning. However, legal action against media organisations must be carefully considered to avoid stifling this fundamental right.
This incident highlights the fine line between media freedom and potential defamation, particularly during elections. The FIR against The Newz Radar calls for a broader conversation on the Press freedom and its importance in holding the powerful to account.
