NEW DELHI: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) is shocked at the blatant attempt by the Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh police in filing FIRs against 6 Editors and Senior Journalists for sedition and other charges while reporting the events connected with farmers agitation in ITO, Delhi through social media on the Republic Day in which a farmer died .
The IJU sees it as an attempt by these two State governments to muzzle the press and to browbeat the Journalists. “We are surprised to see that the police invoked the offences of sedition, conspiracy, promotion and enmity between different sections, and breach of harmony between groups. Besides, the two state police forces have sought to portray it as a threat to national security and an attempt to instigate violence. This is most condemnable,” the IJU secretary general said in a statement
The IJU demands that the two state governments withdraw the FIRs against Journalists immediately.
The FIRs were filed on January 27 against Mrinal Pande, former Editor, Hindustan; Rajdeep Sardesai of India Today group; Zafar Agha, Editor-in-Chief, National Herald; Anant Nath, Editor of Caravan; Paresh Nath and Vinod K Jose, apart from Congress MP from Kerala, Shashi Tharoor.
These Journalists reported only the unfolding of developments and carried the statements of agitating farmers on the death of one of them during the violence. This is the normal practice followed by the media all these years. First it was reported that the farmer died in police firing and then it was soon updated to death by accidental fall of tractor on him.
It was evident that the FIRs filed by the police was a vengeful act and to harass the media. The Indian Journalists Union urged the Central Government to immediately direct the two state governments to withdraw the false FIRs filed against Journalists as it is a blatant attack on the freedom of the press, free speech and expression guaranteed by the Constitution.
The IJU also took this opportunity to appeal to the estimated 20-lakh media persons in the country to stand up and unitedly fight against the attack on freedom of press and democracy in the country. All Journalists Unions, non-Journalists Unions and Press Clubs across the country should protest against these dictatorial actions of the two state governments.