Why Does the Government Want to Review Journalism Courses?
The education ministry has reportedly written to all university vice-chancellors, forwarding a suggestion from Prime Minister Narendra Modi that journalism syllabuses be reviewed “to make them more effective.” The ministry offered no specification of what the review should contain or why the current syllabuses fall short. This vagueness, which appears to be deliberate, is concerning.
Govt Limits Who Can Issue Internet Takedown Orders, But Questions Remain
The central government has restricted the number of officials authorised to order the removal of online content from social media platforms and websites, departing from its earlier policy that allowed thousands of officers to issue such directions. While the change appears to promote accountability, it leaves unresolved the concern that a government-run effort to combat “misinformation” could also silence legitimate reporting, commentary and political critique.
MP Police Treat Reading Political Ideology as Evidence of Crime
Madhya Pradesh Police have cited books on fascism and communism as evidence in a chargesheet against a youth collective founder accused of hurting religious sentiments. If political literature can be treated as criminal evidence, then any citizen engaging with dissenting ideas risks being branded a threat to public order.
Our Government Says It Loves Hindi, Then Bans a Hindi Scholar
Francesca Orsini, a world-renowned scholar of Hindi and South Asian literature, was turned away at Delhi airport despite holding a valid Indian visa, without explanation. If this government is truly the patron saint of Hindi, it seems to have a curious way of showing affection, by banning one of its most devoted translators.