Let’s talk about an issue that’s been heating up lately — freedom of speech, media responsibility, and how our political leaders handle criticism. It’s an important conversation to have, especially after what went down recently in Telangana.
During an assembly session on March 15, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy made headlines with a fiery warning: anyone posting abusive content about elected representatives would be “stripped, thrashed, and paraded.” This came shortly after two female journalists were arrested for sharing an uncensored interview in which a villager used offensive language against the Chief Minister.
Now, we all know that freedom of speech is a fundamental right in India, enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of our Constitution. It gives us the power to question, debate, and call out those in authority. But this right is not a free-for-all. Article 19(2) reminds us that this freedom comes with some strings attached — mainly, that it shouldn’t mess with public order, decency, or national security.
The media plays a critical role in this regard. In today’s world, where news travels faster than ever, journalists have a difficult job. Journalism is not just about reporting facts anymore, it’s about being mindful of how those facts are presented. Being responsible doesn’t mean sugarcoating the truth — it means sharing it thoughtfully, without adding more fuel to already tense situations.
Equally important is the conduct of political leaders. When someone in power talks about violence — even if it’s just bluster — it can have real-world consequences. People can take it as a green light to act outside the law, thinking they’re doing the right thing. That’s dangerous for everyone, especially journalists who are simply doing their jobs.
Keeping a democracy healthy isn’t a one-person job. It would require all of us — the media, political leaders, and citizens — to pull in the same direction. Journalists need to balance free expression with responsibility. Politicians need to lead by example, sticking to legal ways of dealing with criticism, not threats. And we, the public, need to support a culture where dialogue takes precedence over division.
At the end of the day, freedom of speech, press freedom, and the safety of journalists are all interconnected. If one gets shaken, the others wobble too. It’s only by holding ourselves, and each other, accountable that we can keep these foundations strong and make sure democracy thrives, not just survives.
Sharada AL is a trustee at Population First, a social impact organisation working on health, media, gender, population, and social development issues.
