## Punjab Journalists Allege AAP Government Censorship via Copyright Strikes, IT Act Pressure
Independent journalists and activists in Punjab are raising alarms over what they describe as a systematic campaign of censorship by the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. At a press conference at the Press Club of India in New Delhi on April 11, 2026, they alleged the state is deploying copyright strikes, legal tools, and state machinery to silence critical reporting and suppress press freedom. A speaker identified as Sahil, who runs the social media platform 'Duniya', stated that attacks on press freedom have 'increased a lot' since AAP came to power in Punjab, prompting the formation of a resistance group called the 'Press Di Azadi Bahal Karo Sangharsh Committee'.

The core allegation centers on the weaponization of copyright law. Sahil claimed the AAP is systematically filing copyright claims to remove critical content from platforms like Facebook. The claims reportedly target the use of images of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, and even opposition leaders. This tactic, the journalists argue, bypasses traditional legal challenges and leverages platform policies for rapid content takedown, creating a chilling effect for independent media.

This pattern of pressure extends beyond digital takedowns, pointing to a broader use of state machinery and legal intimidation. The allegations suggest a multi-pronged strategy to control the narrative in Punjab, raising significant concerns about the erosion of democratic safeguards and the space for dissent. The formation of a dedicated committee to combat this pressure signals a coordinated pushback from the journalistic community, setting the stage for an ongoing conflict over information control in the state.
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- **Source**: Medianama
- **Sector**: The Network
- **Tags**: Censorship, Press Freedom, Copyright Abuse, Punjab, AAP
- **Credibility**: unverified
- **Published**: 2026-04-14 11:03:11
- **ID**: 63576
- **URL**: https://whisperx.ai/en/intel/63576