Indian journalists describe mounting restrictions amid democratic façade and repression

In a new podcast, journalists Rohit Upadhya (Noida), Vijayta Lalwani (Maharashtra) and Safeena Wani (Jammu & Kashmir) recount how press freedom is eroding across diverse Indian regions. Upadhya explains that proximity to the national capital does not guarantee access, as ministries often funnel statements through state news wires and exclude reporters from briefings. Wani describes a lingering communications blackout in Jammu & Kashmir after its special status was removed in 2019, which compelled journalists to travel to Delhi to submit reports and led many to relocate.

Lalwani highlights coordinated smear campaigns targeting independent journalists, especially those who are Muslim, female or Dalit. According to Reporters Without Borders, India slipped to 157th place out of 180 in the 2026 World Press Freedom Index, a six-position drop from the prior year. The discussion is part of the "In Dialogue: India and Germany in a Complex Geopolitical Landscape" initiative supported by one outlet panterstiftung, which also funds cross-border journalistic exchange and civil-courage projects.