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X Restores Account of Indo-Canadian Journalist After Controversial Interview

June 30, 2025, 11:37 pm

The social media account of a well-known Indo-Canadian journalist Sameer Kaushal was reinstated 72 hours after the platform X temporarily suspended it, after posting an interview of a former pro-Khalistan militant who claimed Pakistan’s intelligence agency had several operatives in Canada and were secretly collaborating with separatists against India.

Controversial Interview Sparks Suspension from X

Those charges were made by Jaswal Atwal, a convict in Canada for attempting to kill visiting Punjab Minister Malkiat Singh Sidhu in Vancouver Island in 1986. Kaushal, the founder-editor of online news portal News Derby, interviewed him.

Hours later Kaushal received a notice from X that his personal account, where he had posted the video of the interview, had been suspended for violating its “rules against authenticity”.

Kaushal Calls Suspension an Attack on Free Speech on X

“As an independent journalist, I rely on X as a vital platform for exercising freedom of speech and for delivering factual, daring journalism to the community. There is a possibility that some powerful forces may have targeted my account due to my commitment to reporting the truth,” Kaushal said in a statement.

“This sudden suspension has come as a complete surprise and is deeply concerning, as my account serves as a significant platform for communication, information sharing, and engagement with my community,” he added.

Who Is Jaswal Atwal?

Atwal has been a controversial figure who was a hardcore Khalistan sympathizer but switched sides and was issued visas to come to India as part of the amnesty program initiated by the Government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015.

Atwal was notoriously in attendance at a reception organised by the Canadian government in Mumbai for then Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on his visit to India in February 2018, a development that left Ottawa in utter embarrassment. Canada subsequently accused “rogue elements” within the Indian government of hijacking the visit, but did not clarify how they had managed to get Atwal to an invite-only affair organized by the Canadian government.

CSIS Report and Ongoing Concerns About Foreign Interference

In its 2024 annual report to parliament, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) reported, “Pakistan undertakes foreign interference against Canada to enhance political, security and economic stability in Pakistan and to resist India’s expanding external influence. Canada remains a target for foreign interference because of its large South Asian diaspora and the presence of groups that can be leveraged as pro-Pakistan or anti-India surrogates.”

It added according to its analysis “Pakistan will continue to target various levels of government as well as ethnic, cultural and religious communities, and in particular electoral nomination procedures. They could also target media.”

Appearing before the foreign interference inquiry last October, senior Canadian intelligence officer Vanessa Lloyd stated Pakistan was “attempting to diminish the role of India”.

She also stated that while interference by foreigners generally concerns suppression of voices, it “may also have the inverse effect of amplifying other voices, and in this specific instance, Pakistan’s influence is directly connected with backing of Khalistani extremism.”

Pope Calls for Freedom of Jailed Journalists, Defends Global Press Rights

May 12, 2025, 11:47 pm

Pope Leo XIV has urged the release of jailed journalists in his first speech to media members at the Vatican.

He identified with journalists who were imprisoned “for seeking and reporting the truth” and affirmed that their plight “challenges the conscience of nations and the international community”.

Press freedom has to be defended, he stated. The media have to secure that the “precious gift” of free speech is safeguarded.

Global Concern Over Press Freedom

The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 361 journalists were behind bars in 2024.

These figures highlight a troubling global trend in the suppression of free press, particularly in conflict zones and authoritarian states. Many of those imprisoned face harsh sentences for exposing government wrongdoing, war crimes, or human rights abuses. Statement of the Pope is being seen as a direct appeal to world leaders to uphold democratic principles.

Pope Emphasizes Media’s Role in Justice and Peace

Pope Leo, who was elected on Thursday as the new head of the Catholic Church, also called attention to the role journalists could play. He highlighted how they help make people aware of injustice. And how they bring attention to poverty around the globe.

He challenged the media to concentrate on delivering the truth. He urged them not to engage in partisan bickering And not to provide room for “fanaticism and hatred.”

This message aligns with Pope Leo’s broader vision of unity, compassion, and social responsibility, which he has emphasized since the beginning of his papacy. He has called on all institutions religious or secular to prioritize peace-building and inclusivity.

Caution on AI and the Need for Thoughtful Communication

Speaking in the Vatican’s Paul VI audience hall, he declared “the manner in which we communicate is of primary importance: we must say ‘no’ to the war of words and images, we must reject the paradigm of war.”

“We do not need loud, forceful communication,” he said, “but rather communication that is capable of listening and of gathering the voices of the weak who have no voice.”

The new pope also raised concerns about artificial intelligence. He told the assembled media they should use AI with “responsibility and discernment.”

Reporters should ensure that AI can be used for the “benefit of all of humanity,” he said.

‘If War Happens, Indian Heroines Should Be Sex Slaves’: Pakistani Senior Vulgar Comment | WATCH

May 6, 2025, 9:56 am

In a deeply disturbing broadcast, controversial Pakistani journalist Mubashir Lukman made shocking remarks during a recent radio program, suggesting that Indian heroines should be reduced to sex slaves if war ever breaks out between India and Pakistan. The statement has ignited a wave of outrage, cutting across political and social lines in both nations.

Lukman’s comments, widely condemned as misogynistic and dehumanizing, have reopened debates about the underlying mindset within certain sections of Pakistani society. His words, “if war happens, Indian heroines should be taken as sex slaves,” have sparked furious backlash online, with critics calling them not just dangerous, but reflective of broader, regressive attitudes towards women.

WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO:

This is a new low…..Senior Pakistani journalist Mubashir Luqman says in the event of a war with India he would like to take Indian actress as his sex slaves. This is revolting to say the least. Reflective of his filthy mindset pic.twitter.com/eezzAZiooz

— Yeshi Seli (@YeshiSeli) May 5, 2025

The timing of Lukman’s statement is equally troubling. In the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people—many of them tourists—tensions between India and Pakistan are already at a peak. Lukman’s war-fantasizing rhetoric only adds fuel to the fire, further derailing any hopes of dialogue or diplomacy.

This isn’t the first time Lukman has drawn flak for his statements. His track record includes a series of past remarks that many have labeled as derogatory toward Indian women. His recent language, however, crosses a new threshold, prompting calls for accountability and greater scrutiny.

Lukman also referred to himself as a potential “Ghazi”—a term denoting a warrior of Islam. In this context, the label has raised alarm bells, hinting at a radical ideological bent and glorification of wartime violence under the guise of religion.

Adding to the concern is Lukman’s growing influence via social media. His YouTube channel has seen a significant uptick in viewership, ironically supported by a considerable number of Indian subscribers. This has raised tough questions about the role platforms play in giving space to inflammatory voices.

The incident has also led to broader discussions on the dehumanization of women in war rhetoric. Experts argue that such statements aren’t just offensive—they perpetuate dangerous narratives that normalize gender-based violence.

While many in Pakistan have distanced themselves from Lukman’s views, the controversy underscores a deeper cultural issue that demands urgent introspection. It also casts a shadow over already strained India-Pakistan relations, making diplomatic efforts even more difficult.

In an era where every word can travel globally within seconds, the responsibility of public figures and media platforms to foster respect and peace cannot be overstated.

Pakistani Journalists Engage in Heated Argument in London | WATCH

May 4, 2025, 1:27 pm

A London press conference became a scene of utter chaos after two Pakistani reporters, Safina Khan and Asad Ali Malik, engaged in an angry altercation which was caught on camera. The clip, now viral, has the two yelling insults at one another while bystanders tried to calm down the situation.

The exchange occurred during a media engagement organized by Salman Akram Raja, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Secretary General and a personal friend of the former Prime Minister Imran Khan.

Safina subsequently posted the video on her official X (formerly Twitter) account, claiming that she was surrounded at the event by ARY News correspondent Fareed Qureshi and Hum News reporter Rafeeq. She accused them of cutting her short when she was asking questions and faulted them for provoking the situation. “I heard somebody’s mother abused, not for me. There was no honour among these shameless men. When I could not stand Azhar Javed’s mother being abused, how could I have kept quiet after hearing abuse on my mother?” she wrote in Urdu.

Watch:

Use headphones ?
Pakistani Journalists Safina Khan and Asad Malik fight it out at a London eatery. Brawl broke out.

She is the same lady who covered the tearing up of Indian flags, abusing India, praising Pakistan and ISI by Khalistani extremists during their anti-India… pic.twitter.com/6UcPm1OO9Y

— Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) May 3, 2025

She also alleged that if anything happened to her, the two journalists would be responsible.

Asad Ali Malik, who is affiliated with a UK-based media organization, rejected all the allegations. In his statement on X, he stated, “These are false and baseless allegations, consistent with her pattern of past behaviour. The facts are clear and supported by multiple eyewitnesses.”

Safina also claimed that PTI supporters had been harassing her and even tried to carry out an acid attack. “An acid attack was even conducted, but I was not scared then and will not be scared now. If a man stands up and abuses me or my mother, I will abuse him twice as much as the women in his house,” she asserted in another post.

She also accused ARY News reporter Farid Qureshi of manipulating and posting the scuffle video via a fake account named “Pakistani,” accusing it of portraying the incident unjustly in another tweet.

US Convicts Two Men Plotting to Assassinate Iranian-American Journalist Masih Alinejad

March 22, 2025, 2:19 pm

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Saturday reported the verdict of a federal jury which found two crime bosses who had been contracted to kill Iranian-American journalist Masih Alinejad on behalf of the Iranian regime guilty.

As per the US Department of Justice, the Iranian regime contracted Polad Omarov and Rafat Amirov to assassinate Masih Alinejad in return for USD 5,00,000.

In a tweet on X, Rubio wrote that the decision means deadly plots to murder Americans will be answered with “swift justice and accountability.” He further added that while US President Donald Trump is in charge, Iranian front groups and proxy groups will be ‘investigated, disrupted and prosecuted’.

“Yesterday’s court ruling illustrates Iran’s efforts to engage in deadly plotting against Americans such as @AlinejadMasih will be addressed through quick justice & accountability. In @POTUS, Iran’s proxy and front organizations that seek to work in the United States will be investigated, dismantled, & prosecuted”, Rubio posted on X.

Masih Alinjead is an Iranian-American journalist and women’s rights activist. As the American Congress has characterized her, she has been one of the most prominent critics of Iran.

“In July 2022, police officers apprehended a member of an East European crime group wielding an AK47 in front of her residence. That was one year after the FBI disrupted a plot by Iranian intelligence operatives to abduct Alinejad from Brooklyn and transport her to Venezuela and further to Iran,” the statement noted.

An Iranian native born and raised in Iran, Alinejad began her career as a parliamentary journalist in Tehran, who eventually had to leave Iran in 2009 following the repression of the rallies against the disputed presidential elections.

Reacting to the remarks of Marco Rubio, Alinejad expressed gratitude for his support and for standing against Iran’s “acts of terror on US soil.”

Blasting the Biden administration for not being tough with Iran, she tweeted, “Rather than imposing sanctions, they gave over billions of dollars, making the regime more confident in continuing its murderous operations using their proxies and even attacking @POTUS.”
It’s time to exercise strength and determination to make them pay. Grateful for your leadership, standing firm for freedom, and support of the Iranian people who yearn to end the dictatorship,” she posted on X.

In a statement released by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), a federal jury delivered guilty verdicts on all five counts of the indictment against Rafat Amirov of Iran and Polad Omarov of Georgia, who were found guilty of murder-for-hire and attempted murder in aid of racketeering charges, in a trial before the US District Judge Colleen McMahon.

The release stated that Amirov and Omarov face sentencing on September 17.”The defendants took part in a brazen plot to murder an Iranian American dissident in New York who condemned the regime in Iran,” FBI Counterintelligence Division Acting Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky stated.

Citing the court filings, the DOJ stated that Amirov and Omarov were senior members of an Eastern European organised crime syndicate who collaborated with others to try and murder Masih Alinejad on behalf of senior members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

DOJ reported that efforts had been made in 2020 and 2021 as well, where Iranian intelligence agents and assets planned to abduct Alinejad from inside the US for rendition to Iran with an intent to silence her voice of criticism against the Iranian government.

Amirov and Omarov were convicted on five counts, which include murder-for-hire, a crime that carries a maximum term of 10 years’ imprisonment; conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire, a crime that carries a maximum term of 10 years’ imprisonment; conspiracy to commit money laundering, a crime that carries a maximum term of 20 years’ imprisonment; attempted murder in aid of racketeering, a crime that carries a maximum term of 10 years’ imprisonment; and possession and use of a firearm in furtherance of the attempted murder, a crime that carries a maximum term of life imprisonment and a mandatory minimum term of five years’ imprisonment.

Journalist Faces Unwanted Colour Smearing During Holi Coverage Wile Talking About ‘Consent’ | WATCH

March 15, 2025, 5:13 pm

Medha Yadav, a reporter reporting on the Holi festival in Mathura on March 14, had colours applied to her face against her will while explaining the significance of consent to people celebrating the festival. The episode occurred at Nand Bhavan temple in Nandgaon, a place famous for its Lathmar Holi practice, where women beat men with sticks playfully.

Yadav was talking to individuals at the festival when a man came suddenly and applied colour to her face. She got surrounded by a gulaal cloud, and as more people joined in, another man moved towards her to do the same. Yadav stopped him and questioned how he thought about consent, but a third individual stepped forward, brushing her aside and going on with the act. When she complained about women’s safety, she received a dismissive reaction.

Take a look:

जो लोग ये कह रहे हैं कि इतनी ही दिक्कत थी तो वहाँ क्यों चली गई? तो मतलब आप कह रहे हैं कि ऐसी मानसिकता पनपती रहे और हम सुरक्षित जगह तलाशते ही रह जाएँ? मतलब ऐसे लोग ज़िंदाबाद रहें और हम अपना काम भी ना कर सकें, अपनी इच्छा से किसी उत्सव का हिस्सा भी ना बन सकें?#Holi pic.twitter.com/kjgcnzlpLn

— Medha Yadav (@Medhareports) March 14, 2025

When she wrote an article later trying to highlight the importance of celebrating in a safe, respectful manner, another group of colour was hurled into her face. On X, she spoke on the issue: “To those who are wondering why do I need to go in the first place if I have an issue: so you are saying that such a mindset should still thrive and we keep searching for safe spaces? Meaning that such individuals should live long and we can’t even do our job, can’t even be part of any celebration of our own volition.”

She also went on to say, “No festival is bad, the individuals who celebrate it make its experience good or bad. This is not concerned with the condemnation of any religion or festival but has been derived based on the traits of a civilized and better society. And just like every other festival, Holi is also my favorite festival. Solutions are not found by changing the topic.”

Watch: UP Journalist Fined For Not Wearing Helmet In Car

August 26, 2024, 5:13 pm

Tushar Saxena, a journalist from Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, was surprised to receive a Rs 1,000 fine from the Noida police for allegedly driving without a helmet. The fine notification came via text message, leaving Saxena baffled as he resides over 200 kilometers away from Noida and does not recall any such incident.

A Misunderstanding Over Helmet Requirement

According to NDTV, the fine was issued for a supposed helmet violation, which Saxena finds confusing because helmets are not a standard requirement for car drivers. The challan, issued last November, has since prompted multiple follow-ups from the authorities through emails and additional messages. The Noida police have warned Saxena that failure to pay the fine could result in a court appearance.

Saxena, who purchased his white Hyundai in March last year, has expressed disbelief at the fine. “If you are violating traffic rules, then it is common to receive a fine but that is not my case. I have never driven my car to the NCR area. And if there’s any rule that says we have to wear a helmet inside a car, then the authorities must give this to me in writing,” Saxena told NDTV.

Tushar Saxena from #UttarPradesh‘s Rampur has been fined ₹1,000 by Noida Police for driving car without a helmet. pic.twitter.com/EM5tubYE9g

— Ch.M.NAIDU (@chmnaidu) August 26, 2024

Previous Incidents of Misplaced Fines

This incident is not an isolated case. In June, Bahadur Singh Parihar, president of the Jhansi Truckers’ Union, received a fine of Rs 1,000 for allegedly driving an Audi without a helmet. The challan incorrectly listed the vehicle as a two-wheeler while referring to it as a “motor car.” Parihar chose to wear a helmet while driving to avoid further fines and was advised by RTO officials to wait for a resolution post-Lok Sabha elections.

A similar mistake occurred in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, in 2017, where a man was fined for not wearing a helmet while driving his Maruti Omni minivan. These incidents highlight an ongoing issue with traffic fines and enforcement.

Has Babar Azam Been Involved in Match Fixing? – See What This Senior Pak Journalist Has Alleged

June 20, 2024, 6:47 pm

Pakistan’s early exit from the T20 World Cup 2024 has sparked intense criticism from former cricketers and administrators, focusing on issues such as poor fitness and lack of intent. The team, led by Babar Azam, started their campaign with defeats against debutants USA and former champions India, and despite winning their last two matches, they could not progress past the group stage.

In the aftermath of this disappointing performance, senior journalist Mubashir Lucman has leveled a serious allegation against Babar Azam. Lucman claimed that Babar was gifted a costly Audi e-Tron GT by his elder brother late last year, a car valued at over INR 2 crore (more than double in Pakistani rupees). Lucman questioned how Babar’s brother, who reportedly does not work, could afford such an expensive gift. He insinuated that the car might be linked to under-the-table deals, suggesting that players who perform poorly could be receiving illicit benefits.

پاکستان کرکٹ ٹیم کے مایہ ناز جواری کھلاڑی…..

بابر اعظم کو امریکا سے میچ ہارنے پر 8 کروڑ کی آڈی ای ٹرون کار اور دبئی میں اپارٹمنٹ کا
????تحفہ ملا۔ مبشر لقمان کا انکشاف pic.twitter.com/QaaDumG4W9

— iffi Raza (@Rizzvi73) June 19, 2024

This allegation has elicited mixed reactions, with some defending the team and accusing detractors of attempting to tarnish the players’ reputations.

These are serious allegations on Babar Azam from senior journalist Mubashir Luqman.
Investigation should be done by PCB.
More to come in upcoming days…#WT20_2024 pic.twitter.com/o1ji2JlApd

— Cric mate (@Crickmate13) June 19, 2024

People need to stop underestimating how much Babar Azam makes.

PSL makes him $250,000, his salary from the PCB is around the same + 2 other leagues would make him close to $1 million.

This is without branding, advertising etc…

This car is only worth around $100k. https://t.co/Ozmt9mOE0x

— Raz Khan (@razkhan789) June 19, 2024

I have just one question: Why couldn't Babar Azam's brother afford shoes for him when he desperately needed them, yet he suddenly gifted Babar Azam an 8 crore car?

The question that remains unanswered is: Where did he earn that money from? https://t.co/Hkt9Ju36Pz

— Maham B. (@mzbukh) June 19, 2024

Meanwhile, several senior members of the Pakistan team, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, may be rested for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh in August. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is reportedly in contact with Test captain Shan Masood, currently playing for Yorkshire in England, and the new red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, to finalize plans for the series.

A PCB source mentioned that one proposal under consideration is to rest senior players and give opportunities to uncapped or less experienced players. However, no final decision has been made, as the ultimate team selection will be decided by Masood and Gillespie. Additionally, the PCB might consult with white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten on strategies for the ICC Champions Trophy scheduled for February-March next year.

These developments come at a crucial time for Pakistan cricket, as the PCB looks to address the team’s issues and prepare for future competitions.

Spain: Man arrested for sexually assaulting journalist live on air

September 15, 2023, 5:29 pm

According to CNN, a guy was detained for sexually assaulting a female reporter while she was doing live coverage from the streets of Madrid.

According to the American-based media organization, Isa Balado, a journalist for Spain’s Cuatro channel’s “En boca de todos” show, was reporting on an alleged robbery on Tuesday.
The man allegedly approached her and was observed inappropriately groping her while the reporter was speaking with anchor Nacho Abad in the studio.

The host then asked the journalist if the man had touched her, and Abad told her to put “this stupid guy” on video. He continued to speak to her before extending out his hand to touch her head and eventually going away. Balado then went on to finish her report.

Balado addressed the incident in a subsequent video segment. “It’s very unpleasant, especially when you’re working,” she remarked before panning to show the man standing on the street with another man.

Pakistan: Abducted journalist returns home after more than 24 hours

July 10, 2023, 12:20 pm

Senior journalist Syed Muhammad Askari, who was “picked up” by police and plainclothes men from Karachi, returned home after more than 24 hours, according to Geo News on Monday.

In yet another case of journalist kidnapping, Daily Jang’s senior reporter Askari was apprehended late Saturday night near the Qayyumabad KPT Interchange on Karachi’s Korangi Road. The journalist’s wife had filed a complaint at the Baloch Colony Police Station, accusing police and plainclothes officers of “abducting” her husband for unexplained reasons and requesting his immediate release.

She went on to say that the officers had their faces concealed and were in a police car and a white vehicle when they abducted her husband at roughly 1:15 a.m. on Sunday.

While returning from a ceremony, Askari’s car was stopped by the masked guys for no apparent reason. Askari presented himself to the personnel and informed them that he was a reporter with the Daily Jang, but they nevertheless beat him up and hauled him away.

According to The News International, when a reporter’s friend called the police helpline ‘Madadgar 15’ and described the situation, the officer who answered the phone told him to go to the appropriate police station.

Rao Rafiq, the SHO of the Zaman Town police station, was told about the occurrence, but the police denied any knowledge of it. SSP Tariq Nawaz of Korangi said information about the incident was being gathered. The family has urged that the authorities promptly return Askari.

White House condemns online harassment of WSJ reporter over PM Modi question

June 27, 2023, 1:40 pm

The White House has expressed strong condemnation for the online harassment targeting a Wall Street Journal journalist who raised questions about the rights of religious minorities during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden on 22 June in Washington. John Kirby, the spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that the reported harassment is entirely unacceptable and goes against the fundamental principles of democracy demonstrated during PM Modi’s recent state visit.

“It’s completely unacceptable and it’s antithetical to the very principles of democracy that … were on display last week during the state visit,” Kirby said on Monday in a press briefing.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s inaugural state visit to the United States, a noteworthy event took place as he engaged in a joint press conference with President Joe Biden at the White House. In an uncommon turn of events, PM Modi fielded questions from journalists, one of whom was Siddiqui, who raised concerns about the rights of religious minorities in India.

“There are many human rights groups who say your government has discriminated against religious minorities and sought to silence its critics. What steps are you and your government willing to take to improve the rights of Muslims and other minorities in your country and uphold free speech?” asked The White House correspondent . 5tIn response, the PM expressed his surprise at the question and said in Hindi, “In India’s democratic values, there is absolutely no discrimination, neither based on caste, creed, age, nor any kind of geographic location.”

He further added, “Indeed, India is a democracy. And as President Biden also mentioned, India and America, both countries, democracy is in our DNA. Democracy is our spirit. Democracy runs in our veins. We live democracy.”

Freelance Journalist, Ex-Navy Commander arrested by CBI for spying on DRDO

May 17, 2023, 3:37 pm

On Wednesday, freelance journalist Vivek Raghuvanshi and former Navy Commander Ashish Pathak were arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly sharing sensitive information about the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the army with foreign intelligence agencies. This action followed the filing of an FIR against Raghuvanshi the previous day. As part of the investigation, the CBI conducted searches at 12 locations in Jaipur and the National Capital Region (NCR) associated with Raghuvanshi and his acquaintances.

During the searches, several sensitive documents were seized and sent for legal review. The CBI has launched an extensive investigation to uncover more information about Raghuvanshi’s connections within India and abroad.

According to the CBI, Raghuvanshi was collecting sensitive information and intricate details regarding the progress of various DRDO projects. Additionally, he allegedly gathered information about future procurement plans of the Indian armed forces, which could potentially jeopardize the country’s strategic preparedness.

The CBI also stated that Raghuvanshi had accessed classified communication information pertaining to national security, as well as details regarding India’s strategic and diplomatic discussions with friendly nations.

SC issues notice to respondent in YouTuber Manish Kashyap’s amended petition

April 21, 2023, 1:00 pm

On Manish Kashyap’s amended plea challenging the detention order under the National Security Agency (NSA), the Supreme Court on Friday served notice to the respondent.The concerned respondent was requested by a panel led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud to react to the YouTuber Manish Kashyap’s revised argument. Manish Kashyap, the petitioner, sought to overturn the NSA detention order. The judge approved changing his plea.

Meanwhile, the court directed the petitioner Manish Kashyap not be moved from Central Jail Madurai till further orders and listed the matter for further hearing on April 28.
These directions came after Senior Advocate Siddhartha Dave urged the court not to drag him from one place to another by production warrants.

He also apprised the court that NSA has been invoked against Manish Kashyap by Tamil Nadu police.Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for Tamil Nadu Government, said, “Manish Kashyap has circulated fake news and incident in which FIRs have been registered are of separate nature.”
One of the lawyers appearing for the Bihar Government said, “Manish Kashyap is a habitual offender and prior to the incident eight separate FIRs were registered against him in Bihar.”

Manish Kashyap, a Bihar-based journalist said, “Many false FIRs were registered against him in Bihar and Tamil Nadu at the behest of the present ruling government.”
Kashyap sought interim bail and clubbing of all cases in one place.He said, “Cases against him were filed because he has raised the issue of violence against the Bihar-based migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu on social media.”
The YouTuber, who was caught allegedly circulating false and misleading information about purported attacks on migrant labourers working in Tamil Nadu was arrested from Bettiah in Bihar on March 18.

SC to hear journalist Rana Ayyub’s plea; summons in PMLA case

January 23, 2023, 12:09 pm

The Supreme Court on 23^rd January said it will hear the plea of Ran Ayyub Journalist on 25^th January, challenging the summons issued to her by the Ghaziabad court in Uttar Pradesh in relation to a Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)case registered against her by the Enforcement Directorate.

Afghan Journalists complains about lack of information.

January 16, 2023, 4:11 pm

Journalists and media outlets in Afghanistan strongly criticized the lack of access to information as well as harsh restriction placed on media professionals by the Taliban since it took control of the Afghan land in August last year.

“When we contact the government or the officials or drop them a message, they don’t respond us; or they see our messages but don’t send back a reply on time,” said Farkhunda Mehbi, a journalist. According to a report by the South Asian Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) over 45% of journalists have quit since the terrorist outfit assumed power.

The ever-increasing restrictions against media in Afghanistan have also drawn widespread criticism globally with the United Nations and the Committee to Protect Journalists decrying the arrests, demanding the Taliban to stop harassing local journalists and stifling freedom of speech through continued detentions and threats.

“Should I step down as head of Twitter?” asks Elon Musk on Twitter

December 19, 2022, 8:58 am

Twitter Inc. owner Elon Musk on Twitter asked users should he step down as head of the social media platform by the poll.

Many of the users voted ‘yes’ to which Musk reacted and said, “As the saying goes, be careful what you wish, as you might get it.”

The head of the social media platform started a poll on the microblogging site, asking users if they should step down and also promising to abide by the result.

“Should I step down as head of Twitter? I will abide by the results of this poll,” Musk tweeted.

Replying to Musk’s post-David Morales, a Member of the Rhode Island House of Representatives said, “Elon, as someone who hasn’t commented on this matter yet, please step down as the Head of Twitter. I’ve talked to many neighbors and people across Rhode Island who feel uncomfortable using this platform based on your decisions and statements. Thank you!”

Meanwhile, another user said, “Yes, due to your selective support for free speech. Also allowing tweets to be 4,000 characters takes away the creative aspect of tweeting.”

Moreover, there are many supporters of Musk, who don’t want him to leave Twitter including Liz Wheeler, an American commentator who said, “No. You’re doing a good job. It’s a swamp in there & the cleanup process is messy. You’re serving a vital need in our country to expose the left’s Marxist apparatus to control minds, behavior, speech, and ideology. Few others – including politicians – are fighting this. Keep on.”

Earlier on Sunday Twitter announced it would ban accounts used to promote other accounts on other specific social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, and Mastodon.

“We recognize that many of our users are active on other social media platforms. However, we will no longer allow free promotion of certain social media platforms on Twitter,” Twitter Support tweeted.

“Specifically, we will remove accounts created solely for the purpose of promoting other social platforms and content that contains links or usernames for the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Mastodon, Truth Social, Tribal, Nostr, and Post,” it stated.

However, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday said, he was ‘very disturbed’ after Elon Musk suspended the Twitter accounts of journalists and calls it a dangerous precedent.

During a press briefing, Guterres’ spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said, “We are very disturbed by the arbitrary suspension of accounts of journalists that we saw on Twitter.”

Furthermore, Musk has suspended the Twitter accounts of Ryan Mac of The New York Times, Donie O’Sullivan of CNN, Drew Harwell of The Washington Post, Matt Binder of Mashable, Micah Lee of The Intercept, political journalist Keith Olbermann, Aaron Rupar, and Tony Webster, both independent journalists.

Twitter suspends accounts of journalists from CNN, NYT

December 16, 2022, 1:39 pm

Twitter Inc. has suspended the accounts of roughly half a dozen prominent journalists who were covering the social network’s billionaire owner Elon Musk.

Earlier on Thursday the Twitter account of many reporters from various publications including the Washington Post, the New York Times, Mashable, and CNN were listed as blocked and their tweets were not visible.

The company standard said this, “suspends accounts that violate the Twitter rules.”

According to the media reports the accounts has been suspended of Ryan Mac of The New York Times, Donie O’Sullivan of CNN, Drew Harwell of The Washington Post, Matt Binder of Mashable, Micah Lee of The Intercept, political journalist Keith Olbermann, Aaron Rupar and Tony Webster, both independent journalists.

Meanwhile, New York Times reporter Ryan Mac tweeted from the new account, “I was given no warning. I have no email or communication from the company about the reason for suspension.” Mac also shared the screenshot and wrote, “I report on Twitter, Elon Musk and his companies. And I will continue to do so.”

Moreover, Deputy Director of the NYU Stern Center for Business and Human Rights Paul Barrett said, “This is management as dark performance art. The one thing for which we can all thank Musk is that he’s demonstrating, day by day, how dangerous (and self-destructive) it is for so much corporate power to be concentrated in the hands of a few Silicon Valley moguls.”

However, the CNN reporter account has been also suspended in response CNN reporter said, “The impulsive and unjustified suspension of a number of reporters, including CNN’s Donie O’Sullivan, is concerning but not surprising. Twitter’s increasing instability and volatility should be of incredible concern for everyone who uses the platform. We have asked Twitter for an explanation, and we will reevaluate our relationship based on that response.”

Female journalists urge media resumption in Afghanistan’s Farah

December 11, 2022, 3:49 pm

Female journalists in Afghanistan’s Farah province made a fervent plea for the restoration of media operations that had been suspended ever since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan following the withdrawal of US Forces in August of last year.

At a gathering in the province of Farah, female journalists asked Taliban authorities to continue their media operations.

“Women have not been allowed to continue their activities one hundred per cent up to this point, but they have said they will allow them. We will be happy if they allow us and truly abide by their promises,” media quoted Marzia Noorzai, a journalist as saying.

The officials of Naw-e-Zan radio claimed that they need financial support in addition to authorization for media operations in order to continue their media operations. In the war-torn country, many media outlets have closed as a result of a lack of funding and the Taliban’s tight press regulations.

“Life safety is really essential, but so is financial support. We ask the Islamic Emirate to please allow women to work,” said Homaira Mohammadi, Naw-e-Zan radio’s director.

The media is supported, according to representatives of Farah’s department of information and culture.

Many changes in the way institutions functioned over the previous 20 years were brought about by the Taliban taking over from a government that the west had supported.

The Afghan Diaspora Network claims that many media figures who were unaccustomed to working under the Taliban regime migrated to neighbouring or western countries.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported early in November that at least 200 journalists had their human rights violated as a result of the sharp increase in crimes against journalists in Afghanistan since the Taliban took control of the country.

Taking to Twitter, UNAMA said, “Human rights abuses of more than 200 reporters in Afghanistan recorded by UNAMA since August 2021. Record high numbers include arbitrary arrest, ill-treatment, threats and intimidation.”

Since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in the middle of August of last year, they have reversed advancements in women’s rights and media freedom, reversing the country’s efforts to promote gender equality and freedom of speech.

The South Asian Media Solidarity Network (SAMSN) said that since the terrorist group seized power, over 45% of journalists have left their jobs. With the United Nations (UN) and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemning the arrests and calling on the Taliban to stop intimidating local journalists and stifling freedom of speech through ongoing detentions and threats, the ever-increasing restrictions against the media in Afghanistan have also drawn widespread criticism on a global scale.

The Taliban promised women’s rights, media freedom, and amnesty for government employees in their first press conference after seizing power in August. However, a number of people continue to face reprisal, including journalists, activists, and former government employees.

Reporters Without Borders requests UN investigation into Kenyan murder of a Pakistani journalist

November 9, 2022, 6:28 pm

The Paris-based media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged a UN investigation into Sharif’s death, expressing concerns about the objectivity of the Pakistani investigators and contrasting testimonies from the Kenyan police.

“The information currently emerging from the Kenyan wing of the investigation is contradictory, and all independent attempts to get information are met with a wall of silence,” said Sadibou Marong, the director of RSF’s sub-Saharan Africa bureau. “If the Kenyan authorities want to shed light on this murder, they must ensure that the investigation is not cloaked in imprecision, and that it is independent and impartial.” “Why was Arshad Sharif in Kenya and, above all, why did he have to flee his country? These are the questions behind his murder,” said Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk.
“The potential conflicts of interest are such on both the Kenyan and Pakistani sides that we are calling on the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions, Morris Tidball-Binz, to launch an investigation with an independent international team to shed all possible light on this shocking case.”

Shariff was killed in two rounds fired at close range. This is one of the few unambiguous details that have come to light in the two weeks after his slaying on the evening of October 23 in a Nairobi neighborhood. The details come from an autopsy report from Kenya that was released on November 4.

According to the report, one of the bullets went through his back and out through his chest, and the other one hit him in the head.

Eric Oduor, president of the Kenya Union of Journalists, told RSF that journalists everywhere demanded an open probe.

“But the government has not reported any progress in the investigations into the killing of Arshad Sharif. And we keep on demanding that the investigations are fast-tracked to bring the killers to book.”

The Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which the government commissioned on October 25 to look into the murder, has come under scrutiny for the way Pakistan has handled the matter in the interim.

According to the French media watchdog, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the feared military intelligence organisation infamous for carrying out extrajudicial operations all throughout the world, was originally meant to send one of the investigators.

Due to public criticism, the ISI representative was removed from the JIT; nevertheless, the JIT’s leadership is made up of individuals from the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), both of which are direct extensions of the government.

A new judicial committee established by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to look into the assassination hit immediate difficulty on November 6 when Abdul Shakoor Paracha, a retired judge named to lead it, withdrew to accept the position, citing concerns Sharif’s mother had expressed about the commission.

Sharif’s mother criticised the commission for not including a journalist and for including someone who had already travelled to Nairobi in connection with the investigation.

Journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder highlights condition of Journalists overseas

November 3, 2022, 3:31 pm

Arshad Sharif’s suspicious killing in Kenya has highlighted the lack of security situation of the writers and journalists not only in Pakistan but across the globe. The harrasment and poor plight of the journalists continues in the country even after the change in governments. Arshad Sharif, aged 49, a senior Pakistani journalist was killed on October 24 while he was driving from Magadi to Nairobi, accompained by his brother Khurram Ahmed at around 10:00 PM.

It is to be noticed that Pakistan has a history of media blackouts and suppression of dissenting voices. In the World Press Freedom Index List, Pakistan ranks 157 among 180 countries.

Since journalist Arshad Sharif was a vocal opponent of Pakistan’s military, the case of Sharif’s murder raises suspicions that Pakistani security agents were involved. Two First Information Reports (FIRs) were filed against Sharif earlier in May for allegedly making “anti-military statements.”

Additionally, the journalist was fired from the ARY Network for enabling Shahbaz Gill, the leader of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), to say provocative things about the army during a news show, according to Voices of Vienna.
Arshad Sharif’s case is not the first instance in which a Pakistani journalist has been threatened, subjected to torture, intimidation, or killed under dubious circumstances; in the past, activists and journalists like Saleem Shahzad and Hamid Mir have been targeted by local security forces due to their alleged “anti-military” stance. This incident has, for some reason, raised concerns about Pakistani journalists’ safety.

Since the time, Shehbaz Sharif assumed the Prime minister in late April, A number of Pakistani jounalists have reported menacing by army related agencies.

According to a Paris-based media watchdog, Pakistan is one of the world’s deadliest countries for journalists, with three to four murders each year that are frequently connected to corruption or illegal trade and go unpunished.
The senior command of the Pakistani army has been forewarned against harassing the media by Reporters Without Borders (RSF).
Any journalist who goes outside the boundaries set by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) risks being the subject of extensive surveillance, which could result in kidnapping and confinement in state prisons or less formal jails for varied periods of time.

Hina Khan: ‘I always wanted to be a journalist; I was a Bharkha Dutt fan’

October 5, 2022, 1:58 pm

Hina Khan has 13 years of experience in the entertainment industry. She did, recently, confess that she had always preferred to pursue a career in journalism, much like her idol Barkha Dutt. Hina revealed that she got into acting by chance.

In 2009, Hina made her acting debut in the Star Plus television series Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, in which she played the lead character Akshara Singhania. Before leaving the role in 2016 to work on other projects, she performed it for eight years. Recently, she remembered how her friends had pushed her to register for the show’s auditions.

She told Curly Tales YouTube channel, “I don’t think I wanted to become an actor. I wanted to become a journalist, always. I was a huge Barkha Dutt fan. But destiny had some other plans. Auditions were happening in Delhi and I gave the audition, my friends kind of forced me. I got selected in the first round, then they asked me to come to Bombay, I cleared all the rounds and I started shooting. So this is how acting happened for me.”

Hina also recalled her time when she was working in a call centre before becoming an actor. She said, “”Some girls I knew in my PG used to work at a call centre, and they used to make good money. They said ‘we just call people and tell them to pay your debt.’ I said ‘bas? dhamkana hai, hadkana hai? (You just have to threaten them, berate them)? I can do it.’ Over there also, the first month I was the highest collector on the floor. My first cheque was 45,000. My salary was 250000 but I got 45,000 with incentives because I made such a good collection. I would tell them my sob stories that if you will not pay they will throw me out. I have done all of this. I was very naughty. If acting didn’t happen, maybe I still would have been there at some post, or something else.”

Following Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, Hina took part in the reality competition shows Bigg Boss and Khatron Ke Khiladi. She appeared in movies like Smartphone, Hacked, and Unlock among others, and she also played Komolika, the antagonist in Kasautii Zindagii Kay.

SC grants bail to journalist Siddique Kappan

September 9, 2022, 2:06 pm

The Supreme Court would give bail to journalist Siddique Kappan, according to Chief Justice of India UU Lalit’s statement on Friday. In accordance with the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA), the journalist from Kerala was detained in October 2020 as he travelled to Hathras in Uttar Pradesh, the scene of a Dalit woman’s suspected gang-rape death.

After being shown before the trial court in three days, the journalist will be freed. The highest court ordered Kappan to stay in Delhi for the ensuing six weeks and to sign in each week at the Nizamuddin neighbourhood police station.

The journalist will be permitted to travel to Mallapuram in Kerala after six weeks, where he must check in with the local police station once a week. The court stated that he has been barred from abusing his freedom by getting in touch with the witnesses and that he must deposit his passport before being released.

The UP government had earlier informed the top court that it was opposing Kappan’s release on bail and that he was a part of a bigger plot to “incite religious hatred and propagate terror” due to his close ties to the PFI.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court had already dismissed his bail application.

Journalist stabbed in Las Vegas, succumb to injury

September 5, 2022, 12:11 pm

Local media reported that an investigative journalist from Las Vegas had been discovered dead in front of his house.

After receiving a complaint that a neighbour had passed away, police discovered 69-year-old reporter Jeff German dead outside his home on Saturday at about 10:30 a.m. (local time), according to reports.

German was stabbed on Friday after an incident with another person, according to Caption Dori Koren of the Las Vegas police at a news conference. “He was the gold standard of the news business,” Review-Journal Executive Editor Glenn Cook said.

Cook claimed that German had kept any concerns about his safety from the paper’s management. According to police, there is no public threat as a result of the stabbing.

Earlier, the media reported that a freelance journalist had been discovered dead in Mexico.

The body of Juan Arjon Lopez had been discovered near the border town of San Luis Rio Colorado, according to prosecutors in the border state of Sonora.

They said that the tattoos on the journalist’s body allowed them to identify him after he was reported missing on August 9.

The state Public Ministry claimed in a statement that Lopez died from “head injury due to a blunt hit,” per the autopsy.

According to the news, journalist Antonio de la Cruz was shot to death in Mexico in June, writer Ernesto Mendez was assassinated inside a bar in central Mexico in August, and two of his colleagues from a news website were killed by gunfire in Veracruz on the Gulf coast in May.

Reporter Armando Linares was allegedly shot to death in a residence in the town of Zitacuaro, according to prosecutors in Michoacan, in western Mexico. Juan Carlos Muniz, a crime reporter for the website Testigo Minero in the state of Zacatecas, was assassinated by gunmen at the beginning of March. Heber Lopez, the editor-in-chief of the news website Noticias Web, was fatally shot in the southern state of Oaxaca in February, according to the reports.

Sony LIV promulgates a new Web series based on a journalist’s 1940s murder

July 25, 2022, 3:50 pm

The OTT platform Sony LIV announced its upcoming web series titled “The Madras Murder” on Monday. The series is set against the backdrop of the murder of a journalist in the 1940s of the British reign in India.

Reportedly, the show will revolve around the conspiracies and uncanny murder of a disreputable yellow journalist who was known for penning scandalous pieces about movie stars, as well as the murder’s connection to Tamil cinema’s first celebrity.

Sooriyaprathap S. will be writing and helming the series. The film’s showrunner will be director AL Vijay. IB Karthikeyan will produce this programme under the Big Print Pictures label.

Al Vijay expressed his views and said, “It feels great to be associated with the most challenging and prestigious project, “The Madras Murder” based on a real incident that happened in the Madras Presidency. To present a tremendous and magnificent experience for the viewers, our entire team will put up the optimum effort in recreating the pre-Independence era on the digital screen.”

Further details in association with the casting are yet to be disclosed.