Since Narendra Modi's election, India's standing in RSF's press freedom rankings has steadily declined. In 2023, the country found itself ranked 161st out of 180 nations. Now, some journalists, including some former star presenters, are setting up their own YouTube channels in an effort to continue independent and impartial reporting.

Delhi

### Indian Journalists Pivot to YouTube Amid Declining Press Freedom

In the face of declining press freedom in India, a number of journalists have turned to YouTube to continue their work in independent and impartial reporting. This shift comes as India's ranking in the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) press freedom index has seen a dramatic fall, with the nation now placed at 161st out of 180 countries in 2023. This decline coincides with the tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose leadership the country's press landscape has transformed significantly.

Anuba Bhosale, a former presenter for CNN News18, shared her experiences leading to her departure from mainstream media. According to Bhosale, the channel's content had deviated from its core journalistic responsibilities, opting instead for coverage that she described as polarizing and of bad quality. This realization prompted her to establish her own independent digital news platform. Bhosale's sentiment reflects a broader concern among journalists over the erosion of newsroom integrity and a shift away from public interest reporting.

The migration of Indian journalists to YouTube is highlighted by the story of Akash Banerjee, a pioneer in the digital space with a following of 4 million subscribers. Through his channel, Banerjee provides critical analysis of the policies enacted by India's ruling Hindu nationalist government. Despite the freedom of expression the internet affords, Banerjee and others face potential governmental retaliation, including legal and financial challenges, underscoring the precarious nature of dissent in the country.

An examination by the Narrative Research Lab of 2,800 Indian media YouTube videos showcased a dominant trend of discrediting the political opposition in favor of Narendra Modi's party. This has resulted in a significant audience growth for channels endorsing the government's viewpoint, with some accumulating up to 10 million followers. The control over narrative extends to government requests for YouTube to remove content critical of its actions, with Google reporting over 3,500 video removals in 2023 alone on grounds of defamation and criticism.

The move by Indian journalists to YouTube channels underlines a critical juncture in the nation's press freedom, marking an innovative yet challenging pathway to uphold independent journalism.



Indian journalists turn to YouTube as press freedom declines

For the past 13 years, Anuba Bhosale has worked as a presenter for CNN News18, a channel which according to her has now morphed into a government mouthpiece. Today, far from the TV sets, this journalist has launched her independent digital news platform. The morning meeting just did not focus on important news stories, we were not explaining, we were not trying to cover holistically, we were not covering large parts of this country and putting out work that was, frankly speaking, bad quality, that was polarizing. The markers were very, very clear to me, we were not focused on anything that felt even remotely in public interest. I think more than that, there was a complete decimation of what the newsroom is supposed to do. YouTube has become the last refuge for independent Indian journalists. Six years ago, Akash Banerjee was one of the first to join the platform. With 4 million subscribers, he offers daily analysis of the ruling Hindu nationalist government's policies. While the internet grants him a unique freedom of expression, it doesn't shield him from potential government backlash. Government is actually concerned about the growth of YouTubers in India because for folks like us, lawyers and accountants are our first best friends because that's where you will get hit first. Either it's going to be your accounts, criminal defamation case or hurting religious sentiments, but if the system wants to get you, no one can save you. It's hard for dissenting voices to exist, as the platform is flooded with pro-government media. The Narrative Research Lab examined 2,800 Indian media YouTube videos in 2024, revealing a consistent trend. India's political opposition is systematically discredited to benefit Narendra Modi's Hindu Nationalist Party. One video after another they have built an audience and today some of them have up to I think 10 million followers after years of watching a certain kind of television. People have started to enjoy political positioning in a certain way. According to the reports published by Google, in 2023, the Indian government requested the removal of over 3,500 YouTube videos, citing defamation and criticism of the government.

Crews in the U.S. city of Houston are working to restore power to nearly one million homes and businesses, after storms caused widespread damage. A Texas official says some residents could be without power for weeks.

Houston

Seven dead after powerful storms slam Houston, Texas

Heavy rains caused flooding in parts of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands overnight into this morning, swamping streets and buildings and sparking evacuations.

Berlin

Floods in parts of northern Europe after heavy rains

One more person was killed and two injured in France's Pacific territory of New Caledonia as security personnel tried to restore order after a fifth night of riots and looting that has now claimed six lives.

Nouméa

Some neighbourhoods out of control in New Caledonia riots

Three Spanish tourists were killed and at least one Spaniard was injured in an attack by gunmen in Afghanistan's central Bamyan province, Spain's foreign ministry said on Friday.

Bamyan

Spanish tourists killed in Afghanistan shooting

Gregor Haas, father of Brisbane Broncos star Payne Haas, has been arrested in the Philippines. Authorities allege that he attempted to smuggle five kilograms of methamphetamine into Indonesia, a crime that carries the death penalty.

Cebu City

Father of NRL star arrested in Philippines

A new temporary pier built by the U.S. is helping bring desperately needed aid to Gaza. The first shipment of humanitarian aid has already started rolling into the besieged enclave, but UN officials say it's no replacement for deliveries by land.

Rafah

Israel-Gaza War

Aid rolls into Gaza as U.S. constructed pier opens

Surveillance video from a hotel in 2016 appears to show rapper and record mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs grab, shove, drag and kick his then-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, matching allegations she made in a now-settled civil suit against him.

Los Angeles

Video emerges of Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulting woman

The world's number one ranked golfer Scottie Scheffler was arrested early this morning on his way to the PGA Championship in Louisville, Kentucky. He is facing four charges including assault of an officer, after allegedly dodging a pedestrian death investigation.

Louisville

Scheffler, top ranked golfer arrested outside tournament

Hundreds of French police reinforcements have arrived in Noumea amid deadly riots that have claimed the lives of five people. The unrest follows plans to change electoral rolls to allow more French residents to vote.

French force arrives in New Caledonia

Aid trucks have started moving through a U.S.-built pier anchored off Gaza's coast, the U.S. Central Command said on Friday (May 17), marking the first batch of aid to reach Gaza by sea in weeks.

Jerusalem

Aid trucks begin moving through Gaza pier, U.S. says

Israel was at the International Court of Justice Friday (May 17), defending its military operation in Gaza. The United Nations' top court wrapped up a third round of hearings on emergency measures requested by South Africa, which says Israel’s military incursion in Rafah threatens the “very survival of Palestinians in Gaza."

The Hague

Israel responds to genocide charges at U.N. court

Speaking at the end of his state visit to China, President Vladimir Putin said that Russian forces advancing in Ukraine's northeast were carving out a buffer zone to protect Russia from attacks. Ukraine's top commander warned of "heavy battles" looming on the war's new front in the Kharkiv region.

Kharkiv

Ukraine Invasion

Putin says Russia carving out 'buffer zone' around Kharkiv

FIFA will take independent legal advice on a call by the Palestinian Football Association to suspend its Israeli counterpart over events in Gaza, the world body's president said Friday (May 17).

Bangkok

FIFA to seek legal advice over Israel suspension

French police shot dead an armed man who set fire to a synagogue in the northwestern city of Rouen. Officers opened fire when the assailant threw an iron bar at them and threatened them with a knife as he left the building.

Rouen

French police kill attempted synagogue arsonist

The United States military on Thursday (May 17) said it had finished installing a floating pier for the Gaza Strip, with officials poised to begin ferrying humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.

Gaza floating pier project for aid deliveries complete

Slovakia’s Prime Minister Robert Fico is stable but his condition remains serious after undergoing several hours of surgery. Fico was shot five times in the central town of Handlova after he left a government meeting. The assassination attempt shocked the country and drew global condemnation.

Handlová

Slovakia PM in stable condition after surgery

At their bilateral meeting in Beijing, Presidents Vladimir Putin of Russia and Xi Jinping of China stressed their close relationship through economic and military ties even though trade has come down since its peak in 2023. Some analysts say the drop may be related to Chinese banks' fears of U.S. sanctions for technology sales with Russia.

Beijing

Putin, Xi reinforce ties amid U.S. pressure to halt tech sales

A major reinforcement operation is underway to bolster security forces in the French Pacific island territory of New Caledonia. The airlift of police and soldiers follows three nights of protests over electoral reform. Four people have died in the unrest, including a police officer.

France sends forces to New Caledonia amid deadly riots

The Republican-led U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would force President Joe Biden to send weapons to Israel, seeking to rebuke the Democrat for delaying bomb shipments as he urges Israel to do more to protect civilians during its war with Hamas.

Washington

U.S. House bill requires Biden to send weapons to Israel

At the former U.S. president's trial on Thursday, Donald Trump's lawyer accused star witness Michael Cohen of lying about a phone conversation he claimed to have had with Trump about a hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

Manhattan

Trump's lawyer accuses Cohen of lying at hush money trial

Authorities have charged an alleged gunman with the attempted murder of Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. Following emergency surgery, Fico's condition is now listed as stable but serious.

Banská Bystrica

Alleged gunman charged with Slovak PM's attempted murder

Peter Dutton has announced if the Opposition wins Government it will cut permanent migration numbers in half in an effort to ease the housing supply crisis.

Canberra

Opposition plans to slash foreign arrivals

France has deployed troops to New Caledonia's ports and international airport, banned TikTok and imposed a state of emergency after three nights of clashes that have left four dead and hundreds wounded.

TikTok banned in New Caledonia amid riots

Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin framed their nations' ties as a stabilizing force in a chaotic world as they met in Beijing. It is Putin's first trip abroad since his March re-election and the second in just over six months to China, an economic lifeline for Russia.

Russia's Vladimir Putin meets China's Xi Jinping in Beijing

This week, the U.S. Department of Justice said Boeing did not hold up their end of the bargain after 737 Max crashes and now it's a possibility the company could face charges.

U.S. Justice Department may prosecute Boeing

France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia after three young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform.

France declares state of emergency in New Caledonia

Israel's defense minister publicly challenged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the country's post-war plans for the Gaza Strip, with Yoav Gallant stressing his opposition of any long-term military rule by Israel in the ravaged Palestinian enclave.

Israel's defense chief challenges Netanyahu on Gaza

Peter Dutton is set to deliver a budget reply speech, hinting at a focus on migration intake to address the housing crisis. The Coalition expected to propose further cuts to migration numbers and align housing supply with immigration rates.

Opposition wants fewer migrants to ease housing crisis

Former Bulldogs and Tigers Brandon Wakeham has been charged over allegedly supplying large quantities of MDMA and cocaine. The 25-year-old, along with two co-accused arrested by Police and charged with commercial supply of illicit drugs.

Council of the City of Sydney

Former NRL player charged over alleged drug supply

Slovakia's Prime Minister Robert Fico has been undergoing surgery after being shot in a suspected assassination attempt, as he greeted supporters after a meeting. Five shots were fired at close range, while security scrambled to confront the shooter. The government says the attack, which has left the prime minister in a critical but stable condition, was politically motivated.