Karnataka: Opposition targets Information Department over ‘biased’ Assembly coverage
Opposition parties in Karnataka, including the BJP and JD(S), have accused the state's Information and Publicity Department of biased coverage that favors the ruling government. The protest, which has disrupted Assembly proceedings, also includes demands for the resignation of Minister B. Nagendra over alleged financial irregularities.
Why it matters
The conflict highlights tensions regarding media neutrality and government accountability in state-level political discourse.
The Opposition BJP and JD(S) on Monday (August 24, 2026) accused the State Information and Publicity Department of “biased” coverage of proceedings in the Legislative Assembly and raised slogans against it.
As soon as the House met, Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashok and other BJP and JD(S) members strongly criticised what they termed the Information and Publicity Department’s “pro-government” coverage. Mr. Ashok demanded the removal of the department’s Commissioner, alleging that Opposition leaders were not being given adequate coverage during their speeches in the House.
Last week, Mr. Ashok had complained to journalists covering the Assembly that photographs of him rarely appeared in newspapers, while those of ruling party leaders and Ministers received prominence. He then approached Assembly Secretary M.K. Vishalakshi and asked the department to photograph Opposition leaders and share the pictures with the media via WhatsApp.
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