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This week's special edition of Access Asia focuses on India, where record elections are underway. In recent years, India's ranking in the World Press Freedom Index has plummeted. With the country's independent media increasingly under threat, YouTube has become an important outlet for fact-checking trending topics. Dhruv Rashi, 29, uses the platform to fact-check issues and hold the Indian government accountable. he told France 24's Delano D'Souza.
Nearly one billion people have registered to vote in India's marathon elections, with results expected to be announced on June 4. Approximately 543 seats are at stake in the lower house, with 272 needed to secure a majority. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its allies are confident of securing 400 seats this time. But in the run-up to the vote, the Indian Alliance, comprising the Congress Party and the Aam Aadmi Party, accused the government of bias. The Congress said its election funds had been frozen and the Aam Aadmi Party said three party leaders, including Delhi's chief minister, had been jailed on allegedly trumped-up charges.
After two terms as India's prime minister, Narendra Modi remains the most popular candidate in the election, according to opinion polls. Part of Mr. Modi's popularity is due to his implementation of a generous social welfare system. Correspondents Alban Alvarez, Nabil Ahmed, Selma Dawi and Khansa Juned report from the northern state of Uttar Pradesh.
