It’s amusing when the champions of freedom of speech and freedom of press are the first ones to cheer when a reporter from rival news channel with opposing views gets heckled by their clan masquerading as activists. Few days back, JNU Students’ Union President Mohit Pandey and ‘social activist’ Nadeem Khan heckled a Republic TV reporter, who was covering Jignesh Mevani’s press conference at the Press Club of India.
Many came out in support of Khan and Pandey, complimenting them for taunting a reporter who was just doing his job. Propagandist Kunal Kamra under the pretence of being a comedian, cheered the duo and mocked the reporter.
https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/950617716070764544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
He then tried to normalise heckling by indulging in whataboutery.
https://twitter.com/AdityaRajKaul/status/950618817948016640?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Yesterday, after Jignesh Mevani’s flop ‘Yuva Hunkar Rally’, which was carried out despite refusal of permission by the Delhi Police, another Republic TV journalist was heckled and shown lewd gestures.
https://twitter.com/republic/status/950699096255348736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Shivani Gupta, a journalist with Republic TV was threatened with provocative and sexual gestures. And not surprisingly, there is radio silence from the champions of freedom of press. However, all hope is not lost. Support poured in from a few journalists who condemned such behaviour.
https://twitter.com/dhanyarajendran/status/950775428184096768?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/ARanganathan72/status/950715335845462016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/JaskiratSB/status/950708393882263552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Some even came in support of Shivani, who stood her ground and didn’t let the bullies bring her down.
https://twitter.com/KapilMishra_IND/status/950733254935552000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/sneheshphilip/status/950707380722937857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
While many even questioned the silence of the prominent journalists.
https://twitter.com/ksinamdar/status/950945545790476288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Even the ones who called out Shehla Rashid who had bullied a Republic TV journalist in September, 2017, were silent.