Calling farmers 'Khalistani' harms media’s credibility, warns Editors Guild

The Editors Guild of India on Friday expressed concern about the media coverage of the ongoing farmer protests and called upon media outlets to display “fairness, objectivity, and balance in reporting the protests, without displaying partisanship against those who are exercising their constitutional right to express themselves.”

“Certain sections of the media have been labelling them as ‘Khalistanis’, ‘anti-nationals’, and other such terms to delegitimize the protests without any evidence or proof,” the statement said. “This goes against the tenets of responsible and ethical journalism. Such actions compromise the credibility of the media.”

The association warned the media against becoming complicit in promoting “any narrative that derogates dissent and stereotypes protestors based on their attire and ethnicity”.

Newslaundry is reporting extensively on the protests and the anger among the farmers against sections of the media. Here’s a sampler of our coverage:

‘I am fighting betrayal’: Meet the farmers marching on Delhi

‘Media has lost our trust’: Why protesting farmers are angry with ‘Godi media’

Watch: Farmer leader Balbir Singh Rajewal on ‘unconstitutional’ farm laws, and an appeal to the media

Farmer protests have some lessons for the national media