In a concerning development for press freedom, the Andhra Pradesh police have arrested senior journalist Pamidikalva Madhusudhan, popularly known as Dhatri Madhu, in connection with the alleged irregularities in the conduct of Group-I examination of the Andhra Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC).
Dhatri Madhu is the owner of Dhatri Communications, a media outlet that has been telecasting live coverage of the Andhra Pradesh state assembly proceedings since the tenure of former Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy. His arrest has raised alarm among media professionals and advocates of independent journalism in the state.
According to reports, the police took Dhatri Madhu into custody in relation to the ongoing investigation into the APPSC Group-I examination case. The examination, held in 2021, has been embroiled in allegations of irregularities and malpractices, leading to widespread protests and demands for a thorough probe.
The arrest of Dhatri Madhu, a well-known and respected journalist in the state, has been criticized by media organizations and civil society groups. They argue that the move is an attempt to stifle press freedom and target those who have been actively reporting on and investigating the APPSC controversy.
Dhatri Communications, Dhatri Madhu’s media outlet, has been at the forefront of covering the APPSC case, shedding light on the allegations and raising concerns about the transparency and fairness of the examination process. The arrest of the journalist is seen by many as a troubling escalation in the efforts to suppress information and accountability in the matter.
The Andhra Pradesh government has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the arrest of Dhatri Madhu. However, the incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for the authorities to respect the role of the media in a democracy and ensure that journalists can carry out their duties without fear of reprisals.
As the investigation into the APPSC Group-I examination case continues, the arrest of Dhatri Madhu has raised significant concerns about the state of press freedom and the government’s approach to dealing with media scrutiny of sensitive issues. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by journalists, civil society, and the public at large.
