UP woman journo faces online abuse and threats after questioning CM Yogi Adityanath | VIDEOS

An independent journalist in Uttar Pradesh has reported facing severe online abuse, threats and a coordinated smear campaign following a press conference where she posed questions to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.

Divya Shrivastava stated that the incident unfolded on Friday during a media interaction. According to her account, after she directed questions toward the Chief Minister, Adityanath smiled and exited the venue. As she prepared to leave, individuals identifying themselves as Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) supporters allegedly confronted her aggressively, shouting at her and aggressively demanding to know which media organisation she represented.
 

Following the press meet, a concerted social media campaign emerged, attempting to discredit her professional independence by baselessly claiming she was planted by opposition parties such as the Samajwadi Party or the Indian National Congress. Shrivastava firmly rejected these allegations, reiterating her status as an independent journalist and describing the narrative as a deliberate attempt to politicise her legitimate journalistic inquiry.

She also dismissed fabricated rumors circulating online that she had been dismissed from her news network, confirming that she remains active in her role. However, the escalation of online threats has left her fearing for her safety. She noted that her family is deeply distressed by the hostility, with relatives questioning the personal cost of pursuing a career in media.

Holding a master’s degree in journalism from IGNOU and currently preparing for a PhD, Shrivastava expressed profound dismay over the state of press freedom.

She admitted that the ordeal has led her to question whether the fundamental ethos of questioning authority still survives in India, and whether her academic background in media studies has been reduced to futility amid a polarised climate where reporters are routinely branded with partisan labels.