'Godi media murdabad': Protesting farmers hit out at media, refuse to speak to some channels

As the farmers' protest in New Delhi continues, their anger has also turned towards the media.

There's good reason for this: On Zee News, for example, Sudhir Chaudhary suggested the presence of a "Khalistani hand" behind the protests, ably supported by hashtags like #AndolanMeinKhalistan.

#DNA: Is vote bank politics behind farmer's protest? Watch detailed report with @sudhirchaudhary#AandolanMeinKhalistan pic.twitter.com/oELSrI2jl5

— Zee News English (@ZeeNewsEnglish) November 27, 2020

In response, social media has been flooded with videos of the farmers turning away reporters from "Godi media". Farmers raised slogans like "Godi media murdabad", "Godi media, go back", and "Godi media sharam karo".

Sat Sri Akal, #GodiMedia ji! Our farmers are utterly awesome! pic.twitter.com/7cB4E7uhEf

— Sangita (@Sanginamby) November 30, 2020

The farmers twice refused to speak to reporters from Aaj Tak, saying: "Nahin hum nahin baat karenge Aaj Tak se."

गोदी मीडिया की घनघोर बेज्जती, किसानो ने बात करने से मना कर दिया।

किसानो की समझ को सलाम। pic.twitter.com/6O3mUjzZEm

— Jatinder Kumar ( Tony ) (@tonyJatinder9) November 28, 2020

Aaj tak reporter was told to leave the protest site by farmers.#GodiMedia one day wont find place to hide pic.twitter.com/v9Bbpk9Wgm

— Shuja (@shuja_2006) November 28, 2020

The farmers also responded to Sudhir Chaudhary's speculations, telling Newslaundry: "Those who are saying that we're asking for Khalistan are not Indians themselves."

#FarmersProtests | "Those who are saying that we're asking for Khalistan are not Indians themselves."

While some national media houses prod on the Khalistan angle, @Basantrajsonu spoke to protesting farmers at the Singhu border on what they feel about the media's coverage. pic.twitter.com/HoICl1lX1a

— newslaundry (@newslaundry) November 30, 2020

Prabhjit Singh, a contributing editor with Caravan magazine, told Newslaundry the farmers are "very upset". Singh has spent 12 days with the farmers and at Khanouri on the Punjab-Haryana border, he says, he was told: "Sir, we just want to ask you why the media of Delhi is doing injustice. It’s been three months but the national newspapers and the national channels are not taking up the issue in a manner they should."

To understand why the farmers are protesting and what this movement is about, read our detailed piece here.

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