I.N.D.I.A to 'boycott' TV news anchors, say they are 'biased' and 'communalise' debates

The Opposition bloc I.N.D.I.A has decided to ‘boycott’ certain TV news anchors who they deem “biased” and think “communalise” news debates. The Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance  (I.N.D.I.A) will soon come up with a list whose debates and shows will be boycotted by the opposition parties. The decision was taken during the first meeting of the I.N.D.I.A Coordination Committee on Wednesday, where it authorised the Sub-Group on Media will draw up the names of anchors. “The coordination committee authorised the sub-group on media to decide upon the names of the anchors on whose shows none of the INDIA parties will send their representatives,” Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal said. During the meeting, some members of the bloc pressed for drastic measures to avoid engaging with “biased” TV networks, according to a report by Times of India. The first meeting of I.N.D.I.A Coordination Committee was held at the residence of Nationalist Congress Party Chief Sharad Pawar. The group also announced their first joint public meeting in the poll-bound state of Madhya Pradesh next month. Opposition’s war against anchors The Opposition, especially Congress, has been waging a war against news anchors. During Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra, the party accused a section of the media of not putting enough spotlight on the campaign. “The people are supporting the Yatra and so is the social media. But mainstream media continues to boycott it,” Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has said. “It is my allegation that editors have boycotted the yatra. Lakhs are joining the campaign. Will you not show such a huge campaign?” he added. In 2019, similarly, the party boycotted television debates 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 at the time.