'Lapdog media': Indian reporters caught in youth protest anger

A wave of anger has targeted Indian journalists covering widespread youth protests against Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration, with reporters being heckled, abused, and even physically assaulted. The demonstrations, which gained momentum last week, have seen protesters label mainstream television channels as "godi media" – a derogatory term meaning "lapdog media" – accusing them of being pro-government and biased.

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godi (lapdog) media

Dev Kotak, a reporter for the Times Now channel, recounted being beaten by dozens of protesters while attempting a live broadcast. "The mob might have actually killed me. There was a seething anger among them because they felt the media hadn't reported their side of the story," Kotak said, describing the assault as unusual but reflecting a broader hostility. He added, "There were slaps, kicks, punches and water bottles being thrown. I was very scared and feared for my life; I just wanted to get out alive."

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The mob might have actually killed me. There was a seething anger among them because they felt the media hadn't reported their side of the story.

The protests intensified after a police crackdown on demonstrators marching on parliament injured many students. Protesters repeatedly shouted that their narrative was being ignored. Kotak, however, maintained that he had reported injuries on both sides. The hostility towards reporters underscores a growing debate about media freedom in India, which has seen a sharp decline since Modi took office in 2014.

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There were slaps, kicks, punches and water bottles being thrown. I was very scared and feared for my life; I just wanted to get out alive.

India's ranking in the Reporters Without Borders' World Press Freedom Index has fallen dramatically, from 122nd in 2010 to 157th out of 180 countries in 2026. The watchdog attributes this decline to violence against journalists, concentrated media ownership aligned with the government, and increasing political polarization. The Editors Guild of India condemned the "ire directed at representatives of the media outlets considered close to the government and the ruling party," while also warning that "flawed and biased reporting" weakens democracy.

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People kept shouting that we hadn't shown their side of the story.