Journalist Maninderjeet Sidhu said his Facebook page was taken down in January following a spate of copyright notices sent for using pictures of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann — even though these were taken from government media. File | Photo Credit: PTI 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.” Published – April 27, 2026 09:45 pm IST Share this: Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on Threads (Opens in new window) Threads Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window) Pinterest Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email More Click to print (Opens in new window) Print Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window) Reddit Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window) Tumblr Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window) Pocket Click to share on Mastodon (Opens in new window) Mastodon Click to share on Nextdoor (Opens in new window) Nextdoor Click to share on Bluesky (Opens in new window) Bluesky Like this:Like Loading... Post navigation 25 enthusiasts get training at theatre workshop Surgeon from Bhadravati participates in London Marathon wearing tricolour and Kannada flag