Independent journalists from Punjab alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in the State was systematically targeting voices in the State. In a press conference on Monday (April 27, 2026), members of the Press Di Azaadi Bahal Karo Sangharsh Committee Punjab (Committee for the Struggle to Restore Press Freedom) said the State Government was using intimidation, copyright claims and notices under the IT Rules, 2021 to target critics online.

“This is very dangerous for journalists, for free speech and for independent press,” said Sahildeep Singh, who runs the Duniya Facebook page with more than 1.2 lakh followers. “If you speak on behalf of the government, then you are fine,” said Maninderjeet Sidhu, who runs the Lok Awaz TV YouTube channel. “If you do journalism independently, then there will be an FIR against you.”