Why were journalists being detained and beaten by Delhi Police? | South Central 97

Were the police only trying to stop the protests, or also to stop journalists from creating a public record of what happened on the streets?  Listen and follow on YouTubeListen and follow on AppleListen and follow on Spotify What happens when journalists covering protests are detained by the police, and what does it mean for press freedom and the right to dissent in India?In this week’s South Central, hosts Dhanya Rajendran and Anisha Sheth examine the crackdown’s implications for independent media, press freedom and the right to protest. They are joined by Siddharth Varadarajan, founding editor of The Wire, and Abhinandan Sekhri of Newslaundry, to discuss allegations of police violence, the targeting of journalists documenting the protests, and the lack of a stronger collective response from mainstream media.The discussion examines whether the police were not only trying to prevent protests but also attempting to stop journalists from creating a public record of what happened on the streets.Siddharth Varadarajan argues that journalists documenting police action during earlier protests had brought evidence of violence and excessive force to public attention, and that reporters were targeted this time to prevent similar footage from reaching audiences. Independent media journalists, including younger and women reporters, were among those who faced rough treatment and detention.The panel also discusses allegations of violence against protesters and journalists inside detention centres, the role of people accompanying the police in confronting demonstrators, and the response of mainstream media to the detentions. In the second part of the episode, the hosts speak to TNM Associate Editor Sukanya Shaji about the crash near Kochi airport in Kerala in which three young people were killed after a Mini Cooper reportedly driven at high speed rammed into their scooter.The 19-year-old driver was arrested and booked for culpable homicide not amounting to murder, prompting questions about the legal provisions applied in the case. The discussion also examines allegations of rash and drunken driving, reports that the driver or a passenger claimed his father would take care of the situation, and the wider debate around privilege and accountability.The panel looks at the victim-blaming that followed the crash, particularly questions about why the two women were out late at night with a Muslim male friend. Their grieving families were forced to publicly explain that the three had been working together and were returning home after work. Tune in to the full episode of South Central here. Audio timecodes:00:00:00 - Introduction00:01:32 - Headlines00:08:41 - Police action against protesters in Delhi00:48:44 - Kochi Mini Cooper car crash001:03:09 - Recommendations References:Gyanu, it’s done bro: CJP Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das interview Eerie calm to the violence of lathis: Walking through Delhi on October 9 and 10 Kochi Mini Cooper car crash: Allegations, legal charges, and family’s suspicions explained  Recommendations:Dhanya RajendranModi’s Crackdown Is a Strategic ErrorNeha Bora, the angriest person in town: A profile of rageJournalist as witness to State brutality: A story from Delhi’s Pandwalan Khurd Anisha ShethRemarkably Bright CreaturesIbis Trilogy Abhinandan SekhriWho are the lumpen elements given a free run against protesters in CP?Capital punishment is surging in the US – but after Christa Pike’s botched execution, what is its future?What happened during Christa Pike's failed executionI Know Christa Pike’s Medical History. What Tennessee Did Is Unforgivable. Siddharth VaradarajanThe Link Between TCS, SIR’s Digital Stack, and the Noel Tata-N. Chandrasekaran TussleNazaMen in the Sun and Other Palestinian StoriesRead more Palestinian writers Sukanya ShajiSumukhi Suresh: HoemonalLust Stories 3 Check out the recommendations and references from this episode.Check out the list of headlines discussed in South CentralSupport South Central: https://pages.razorpay.com/south-centralSend your thoughts, suggestions, and criticism as well.Contribute to our reporting fund. Click hereTo check out our other shows, Click here To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click hereYou can also let us know what you think by filling out our quick feedback form. Your suggestions help shape future episodes of South Central. To not miss any updates, join TNM's WhatsApp Channel! Click here Producer - Akshay Lal, Editor - Jaseem Ali, Camera - Ajay R, Social Media - Riya TT