India's Media Freedom Under Siege by Pro-Modi Billionaires

The acquisition of major news outlets by allies of Prime Minister Modi has led to increased censorship and a decline in journalistic independence.

Pro-Modi billionaires, including Gautam Adani, are transforming India's media landscape, leading to a decline in journalistic independence.
The acquisition of NDTV by Adani has turned the channel into a government mouthpiece, with an exodus of star anchors and censorship of critical coverage.
Journalists face pressure to avoid sensitive topics, especially those critical of the government or its allies, impacting media freedom ahead of national elections.
India's media freedom ranking has fallen to 161 out of 180 countries, reflecting concerns over democratic backslide and the undermining of independent institutions.
Despite the challenges, India remains a vibrant democracy with a diverse media landscape, though the space for dissent is shrinking.