‘Feel Like Slapping Them’: Telangana CM Slams Young Journalists, BJP Hits Back
Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy has ignited a significant controversy with his remarks about young journalists, stating that he sometimes feels like “slapping them” for what he described as a lack of basic respect for their senior colleagues. The comments drew immediate and sharp criticism from political opponents.
While speaking about the media’s role in society, Reddy first praised the dedication of senior journalists who “keep their health and families at stake” to report from remote areas. However, he quickly pivoted to a sharp critique of the younger generation of reporters. “Now, young journalists don’t even know about those senior journalists. They don’t even have the common sense to stand up when those senior journalists come,” he said. Reddy added that young reporters often occupy front-row seats at press conferences and look at him expectantly, as if he should be greeting them first. “I sometimes feel like slapping them. But circumstances and position come in between,” he stated.
The comments were quickly condemned, with BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accusing the Chief Minister of showcasing the Congress party’s “DNA of Emergency” and running a “dhamki ki dukaan” (shop of threats).
During his address, Reddy also expressed broader concerns about the declining credibility of journalism. He alleged that some media outlets now function as extensions of political parties, designed to protect vested interests and cover up wrongdoing. “Political parties are now running newspapers not to share ideology, but to protect ill-gotten assets,” he remarked, adding that only a few media houses still adhere to ethical standards.
The Chief Minister also took aim at the misuse of social media, claiming that “unscrupulous elements are exploiting social media in the guise of journalism” without understanding the basics of the profession, and are conspiring to “destabilise the system.” He concluded with a call for the journalistic community to introspect and draw a “Lakshman Rekha” for responsible practice, cautioning that without restoring media credibility, the nation’s security could be at risk
