Media protest in Ferozepur over restricted coverage of CM Mann’s visit
Kulwinder Singh
Ferozepur (Punjab), August 16, 2026: A dispute over media access and coverage broke out in Ferozepur on Sunday during Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s visit to the Hussainiwala National Martyrs Memorial, with local journalists staging a protest against the arrangements made for media coverage.
According to journalists, members of the Ferozepur media were brought to the venue together in a government bus and, after reaching the site, were surrounded by police personnel and confined to a designated area for coverage.
The journalists alleged that they were not allowed to move freely around the venue or record video footage from locations of their choice. They said the restrictions interfered with their ability to independently cover the Chief Minister’s visit.
The restrictions led to strong resentment among local journalists, who subsequently decided to boycott the coverage and left the venue in protest.
Gaurav Maanak, President of the Press Club Ferozepur, questioned the restrictions and raised concerns over the freedom of journalists to perform their professional duties.
Journalists argued that if members of the media are not allowed to independently report from public events, it raises serious questions about media freedom and the ability of the press to represent public concerns.
The incident has also prompted questions over the media arrangements made for visits by senior government functionaries and whether journalists should be permitted unrestricted professional access while maintaining necessary security protocols.
The government and district administration are yet to issue a detailed response to the allegations made by the journalists.