In 1975, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi imposed unprecedented Emergency across the country, the print media of the day succumbed to the rulers’ pressure. A majority of editors/ reporters not only toed the official political line but went to the extent of saying that the Prime Minister “now she means business, she wanted to streamline the administration and stem the rot… so on. They did not bother about what the usurping of democratic rights meant for the common people. There were a few exceptions like KuldipNayar, an author, and columnist who stood against that repressive wave. He was put behind the bars. As a budding journalist, after completing my bachelor’s degree in journalism, I was looking for some platform to hone up my writing skills, besides understanding the profession. Unfortunately, that political upheaval constricted the newspaper industry. Two national-level news-agencies- Press Trust of India (PTI) and United News of India (UNI) were officially merged and named as ‘Samachar’ for strictly monitoring the news flow from a united entity. The newspapers thus turned out to be a government publicity department. Such dispensation restricted entry of young people like me into the profession. The history seems to be repeating itself now. Ironically, a majority of the mainstream media has now chosen to toe the political line of the government of day even as there is no declaration of Emergency. Sheepishly the media has compromised on the ethics and principles of journalism. A majority of media persons have ceased to confront power as the democratic polity demands rather they serve as propaganda tools of the power-that-be. The media has virtually turned its back to the people and social responsibility. Instead of truly presenting the people’s resistance and protest against the religious-based Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) a large section of media is supporting the Hindutva narrative of Narendra Modi and Amit Shah that ‘protests were being incited and managed by the opposition paries’. When almost entire media, including satellite channels are projecting the political line of Modi- Shah duo, there are some exceptions who attempt to build up a different and opposite narrative. Ravish Kumar of NDTV, has persistently been adhering to principles and ethics of journalism which are must for establishing the credibility of the profession. He has recently been honoured with prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award for “harnessing journalism to give voice to the voiceless” and his “unfaltering commitment to professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards”. Perhaps, Ravish Kumar is the only journalist to publically assert that electronic media – national TV channels – have become ‘shops of falsehood’ (Delhi main joothkidukanaikhuli hui hai). He openly says to people at large “to stay away from television to live a healthy life”. The level of mistrust among public and opposition to TV channels’ presentation can be gauged from the fact that after the 2019 parliamentary elections, the Indian National Congress has advised its spokesperson not to appear in any discussion on the television network. But, even in the absence of representatives from the major opposition parties, the news channels continued to enact a drama of debate during prime- time slots and glorified the ruling party and thumped its achievements. The ruling party still is hesitant to face Ravish Kumar and other real debaters. Recently addressing protesters at the Delhi University eminent author Arundhati Roy ridiculed the media as “godi (lap) media”. Barring one or two almost all TV Channels sing in praise of PM Narendra Modi. With the rise of Hindutva laced hyper-nationalism a large section of the mainstream media has turned out to be a ‘lapdog’ media allowing itself to be used as the ‘propaganda machine’ of the government. In today’s electronic media age- people view TV programmes passionately in urban as well as in rural areas of India. Wherever newspapers do not have much access because of distance and low literacy rates, the TV programmes are well received with visuals. These programmes provide sensuous visuals through advertisement in between catering to the erotic feelings of the viewers. As the anti-CAA and NCR protests are picking up with the participation of Hindus, Sikhs, Muslims, and other communities, the police and RSS activists attacking protesters and inciting violent clashes which have resulted in killings of scores of them- a majority of them in police firing. The Central government does not want these unhappy incidents to be reported on TV. The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued two advisories one after another on December 11 and 20, 2019, to the Television channels asking them to be more cautious about telecasting the visuals and other contents. The private TV channels are asked to adhere to the regulations laid down under the Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act,1995. However, no instructions have been posted to the newspapers. When honoured TV celebrity Ravish Kumar of NDTV dubbed the Delhi electronic media as the “Capital of falsehood”, the masses respond with a long clapping session. When Arundhati Roy calls Indian media “godi media”, the University students-Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs-too cheer her loudly Both the government advisories are complementary to each other and direct self-imposed censorship-in producing programmes related to covering of anti-Citizens law protests. The advisories emphasise on shaping the programmes which should not “incite violence, adversely affect the integrity of the nation and malign or slander the individual, public groups and the moral life of the people.” Thus, telecast of audio-visuals or videos on TV creates an instant impact on the peoples’ minds and shape their opinions. Where in the semi-urban areas and rural areas due to lack of schools or because of the dismantled education system, a large number of populations does not have analysing skills, the TV programmes are accepted as ‘Gospel Truth’ since they are laced and blended with distorted views and firebrand Hindutva. Even the fake Hindutva nationalism is taken as Indian nationalism. The TV channels panel discussions are manipulated to suit the interests of the ruling party. The panel formations are undertaken to keep the ruling party’s spokesman in high focus, and his views of reflecting high value in the national interests. The Government is keeping more surveillance on electronic media than print media because of its penetration even in poor of the poorest jhuggis (kacha Houses). India is second to China in the expanse of the Pay-TV market spreading to about 200 million households. According to a latest FICCI report (2019), the TV market growth has reached at 7.5 percent with business reaching to Re 800 billion. No other business is of such a high volume; therefore, the foreign multi-national and Indian corporate houses have entered the TV Channel business in a big way and many of them acquired TV channels that were facing a financial crunch. Electronic media has become another money-spinning business industry, plus its owners carry clout with the Government whichever political party it may be managing it. Business-oriented management of the TV Channels look for more profits and for grabbing the Government advertisements, with tail and bottom follows the Government line as they do in their other businesses. Therefore, when honoured TV celebrity Ravish Kumar of NDTV dubbed the Delhi electronic media as the “Capital of falsehood”, the masses respond with a long clapping session. When Arundhati Roy calls Indian media “godi media”, the University students-Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs-too cheer her loudly. Many observers such as Supreme Court and High court judges, senior diplomats and university luminaries and leaders of opposition leaders compare the current atmosphere in India to that of Indira Gandhi’s Emergency of the seventies. The writer is a veteran journalist and Indo-Pak peace activist (EOM)