Politics · India Bureau
Kerala High Court orders police protection for journalist after cyber assault
The Kerala High Court has granted police protection to journalist Aparna Kurup following a series of cyberattacks and death threats linked to a television debate on controversial remarks about women. The attacks intensified after the broadcast, which featured discussion of statements made by prominent Sunni Muslim scholar Kanthapuram A.P. Aboobacker Musaliyar.
LSN India ·
Justice granted protective measures to Ms. Kurup after she approached the court seeking relief from the coordinated online harassment campaign. The journalist had hosted the television program that examined and debated the contentious remarks, prompting a wave of hostile responses and threats against her person.
The cyberattacks represent an escalating pattern of digital intimidation targeting media professionals engaged in reporting on socially sensitive topics. Ms. Kurup's petition highlighted the severity of threats received following the broadcast, underscoring growing concerns about journalist safety in the digital age.
The High Court's intervention reflects judicial recognition of the dangers posed by coordinated online abuse campaigns against members of the media. The court's decision to order police protection acknowledges the credible nature of threats made against the journalist and the need for protective measures to ensure her security.
The case highlights tensions between free speech and the safety of journalists reporting on contentious social and religious matters in India. Ms. Kurup's legal action underscores the personal risks journalists face when covering subjects that provoke strong reactions among certain sections of the public.