Two years ago, Kerala gave the CPM-led Left Democratic Front a second consecutive term in office, a verdict without precedent in over four decades. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s tenure has been scarred by controversies, many of them born of his government’s apparent inability to engage with criticism and dissent in an open and sober manner. His administration has pointedly targeted the media, while also going after political opponents — in the last one month, the state Congress chief and the leader of the Opposition in the assembly have been booked. Cases have been filed against journalists across platforms for reports that are seen to be critical of the government. Police have entered the newsroom, searched offices of media outlets, named reporters in FIRs. The police actions suggest a pattern, and an attempt by a beleaguered administration to use state muscle to intimidate those who ask questions of the establishment.
The latest media outlet to be in the cross hairs of the Vijayan government is Marunadan Malayali,a popular online portal. A criminal case was filed against its editor, Shajan Skaria, based on a complaint by CPM MLA P V Sreenijan, alleging that Skaria intentionally humiliated him by making “false allegations and accusations” through a video uploaded on the portal on May 24. The Kerala High Court had denied Skaria pre-arrest bail in the case. On Monday, police conducted searches at the offices of Marunadan Malayali, and the residences of several people associated with it, and seized gadgets, including laptops and cameras. In recent months, cases have been filed against reporters of Asianet and Mathrubhumi TV for reports that embarrassed the government. CPM Kerala secretary, M V Govindan, who came out in defence of the government, threatened more action against journalists, evidently forgetting that state administration was not his business.
It is such endorsement from the political leadership that has endowed the Kerala police with impunity, now evident in its routine transgressions vis a vis the media. The relationship between the executive and the press is governed by a democratic compact, which protects free speech and the people’s right to know. Intimidation or demonisation of media by the executive and the political class can only lead to erosion of public trust. Vijayan, who holds the home portfolio, needs to rein in his force.
