Mumbai Press Club Criticizes Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Slave’ Remarks About Journalists
Mumbai: The Mumbai Press Club has raised serious concerns about recent remarks made by Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, in which he referred to journalists as the “slaves” of their owners. Gandhi’s comments were made during a rally in Amaravati, Maharashtra, where he accused journalists of being beholden to the ruling regime and claimed they were forced to obey media owners for financial reasons.
The Press Club, in a statement, expressed concern over Gandhi’s “sweeping” remarks, which, while allegedly expressing concern for journalists, were seen as condescending. The club urged Gandhi to reflect on the deeper causes of the challenges faced by journalists in India, particularly the precarious conditions resulting from contractualisation of the profession. This shift in employment policies, which began in the late 1980s and 1990s, led to the weakening of journalists’ unions and left them vulnerable to exploitation by powerful media owners.
The Mumbai Press Club emphasized that the financial and job insecurity faced by journalists today can largely be traced back to the neoliberal policies introduced during the Congress-led government, of which Gandhi’s family has been a part. “Has Mr. Gandhi ever reflected on the root causes of the challenges faced by working journalists?” the statement asked, pointing out that contractualisation has allowed media houses to dismiss employees at will, undermining workers’ rights.
While acknowledging the authoritarian tendencies of the current government and their impact on the press, the Press Club also criticized Gandhi for targeting journalists, warning that such rhetoric raised concerns about how the press might be treated if the Congress were to return to power. “If Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s avoidance of open press conferences is rightly criticized, Gandhi’s recurrent mockery of journalists also deserves rebuke,” the statement added.
In his speech on November 16, Gandhi argued that the media’s reluctance to report on certain issues was due to the control exerted by media owners, leading to journalists being unable to report freely or truthfully. “Journalists need salaries to educate their children and fill their stomachs. To ensure this, they are forced to obey their bosses. In a way, they are slaves,” Gandhi said, adding that he refrains from attacking journalists because of their difficult circumstances, despite their role in spreading what he termed as “propaganda.”
The Mumbai Press Club has consistently been vocal in defending the rights of journalists, regardless of the political party in power. In its conclusion, the Press Club emphasized the need for constructive dialogue and accountability, stating that dismissive and derogatory remarks toward the media do a disservice to democracy. The statement called for a more responsible approach from political leaders, ensuring that the rights of journalists are upheld and that the media can function independently without fear or coercion.
