Police Detain Journalists in India During Protests
Authorities detained at least 37 journalists during protests in October 2023. Many more were denied access or faced content takedowns.
Indian police detained at least 37 journalists on October 10 and 11, 2023, while they were covering protests by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The detentions continued even after the Supreme Court directed that journalists "shall not be hindered in discharge of their professional duties in any manner whatsoever."
In the lead-up to the October 10 protest, Delhi Police's cybercrime monitoring department issued over 200 takedown orders through the government's Sahyog portal. Journalists from digital outlets and YouTube channels reported being turned away or detained for hours because they lacked Press Information Bureau (PIB) cards, while reporters from established outlets were allowed through.
Discrepancies in treatment were noted, with journalists from BBC, Reuters, and The Indian Express experiencing different outcomes. YouTubers and reporters from independent platforms were reportedly denied entry, while traditional media personnel and PIB-accredited journalists gained access. This led to questions about selective enforcement and professional obstruction.
Police stated that some journalists may have been detained for working too close to protesters and not moving away when asked. A Delhi Police advisory on October 5 accepts identity cards issued by journalists' organizations, as well as PIB or Delhi Information and Publicity (DIP) accreditation cards. Journalists detained for lacking PIB cards stated they carried organization-issued IDs.