May 24, 2020
To,
Shri. Amit Shah Ji
Hon’ble Union Minister for Home
Government of India
New Delhi.
Subject: Regarding withdrawing the cases against Journalists during the COVID- 19 pandemic coverage immediately.
Most respectfully Sir,
The National Union of Journalists (India), the representative body of working journalists across the country, we wish to bring to your kind notice a matter of serious professional concern for the journalist fraternity.
As we ensure freedom of the press and fulfill their commitment towards a free and fair media but recent rising incidents of arrest, false cases against journalists in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra are very much shocking and alarming. It becoming raising question that if the media persons are not allowed to work freely how democracy can function in the country.
In this regard, NUJ(I) is of the view that the threat to prosecute media personnel, in general, shall demoralize the journalists in large which shall have severe conduct on the freedom of the press. Article 19 of the Constitution of India protects freedom of speech and expression of which dissent is an integral part. We hope the media fraternity which is working amid huge challenges get a conducive atmosphere to deliver their day-to-day duties should be treated professionally. How should press freedom react if journalists have been arrested like this.
The media can play a vital role to sensitize the public on issues of torture, a crime that thrives in a situation of silence and behind the scenes. Through accurate reporting, journalists can increase awareness about the prevalence of torture but the latest increasing incidents of arrest, false cases against journalists in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra are very much outrageous. It the only purpose can be to strike terror into journalists.
The National Union of Journalists (India) urges the Prime Minister of India to look into the matter immediately and order the respective officials to withdraw the cases against Journalists and safeguard the threat to democracy. Details of cases are attached herewith for your ready reference.
Details of the cases :
1. In Tamil Nadu a reporter of Sathyam TV, Mr. Bhaskar, sustained serious injuries in an attack by police personnel at Krishnagiri of Tamil Nadu. His cameras were taken away by authorities. Another reporter of SUN TV, Mr. Damodaran, was arrested at Minjur of Thiruvallur District of TN on April 8, 2020 while on duty. He was also remanded into judicial custody. Our NUJ(TN) unit has informed that various incidents of harassment of media persons came into the light where several journalists were taken into custody under the Epidemic disease Act. Mr. A.S.R. Pandian, founder, and publisher of the news website "Simplicity" publishing from Coimbatore District of TN was arrested and remanded to Judicial custody. Another two Journalists of the same news portal were detained at a Police station and subjected to prolonged questioning.
2. In Gujarat as per media reports, Dhaval Patel, editor, and owner of the news portal - 'Face of the Nation' - was detained and later on arrested by Gujarat Police for publishing an article allegedly against Chief Minister Vijay Rupani. In the article, the editor, while analyzing different situations and developments, articulated that Mr. Rupani likely to be replaced by Union Minister Mansukh Mandviya as the top bosses of the BJP were unhappy with his Covid-19 pandemic management.
3. In Himachal Pradesh 14 FIRs against five reporters during the lockdown period. Nalagarh-based Jagat Bains, who reports for News 18 Himachal and BBN Real News, has been booked thrice by Baddi police. – In neighboring Baddi, Om Sharma, a former reporter at Divya Himachal, has also been booked thrice — Vishal Anand, a reporter for Aaj Tak, has two FIRs against him, both registered on the complaint of Dalhousie SDM.
4. In Jammu & Kashmir the police in the Bandipora district arrested Mushtaq Ganaie, a reporter with the English-language privately held Daily Kashmir Observer, on allegations of obstructing police, violating the COVID-19 lockdown, and spreading the virus.
5. In Maharashtra, a mob in Maharashtra’s Ahmednagar district attacked Balasaheb Navgire, a freelance reporter, after he reported on a family that was quarantined due to COVID-19. Rahul Kulkarni, a reporter with Marathi-language privately held news channel ABP Majha, for alleged “rumor-mongering,” according to the Indian Express. The arrest stemmed from Kulkarni’s reporting that railways may open new trains for migrants stuck in large cities.
6. In UP, Uttar Pradesh government has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Today 24 news journalist Ravindra Saxena for his report highlighting the mismanagement of a quarantine center in the Sitapur district. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the National Union of Journalists- India condemn the FIR on false accusations and call on the UP government to withdraw the criminal proceedings against the journalist.
We, the National Union of Journalists (India) urges the urgent action on this matter. We feel it is an attack on democracy. The protection of the media ensures independent and unbiased reporting, which pledges transparency in a democracy. Therefore, it is need of the hour that the Government of India ensures sufficient security to the journalists across the country so that they can work freely and fearlessly.
Thanking you,
Yours sincerely
Ras Bihari Prasanna Mohanty
President Secretary-General
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