Dated : 29-07-2020

To,

Shri Amit Shah, 

Union Home Minister,

Government of India,

New Delhi

Subject: Government of West Bengal to safeguards sufficient security to the journalists so that they

can work freely and fearlessly regd.

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 in West Bengal.

India is a democrtitic country and Freedom of Press & Media and Its Role is well recognized. Article 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India, which gives freedom of speech and expression, enabling the open exchange of information and opinions among ordinary citizens, businesses, citizen associations, political parties, and governments.

But the recent the limitation and the pressure from Government and Police department of West Bengal becoming raising question that if the media persons are not allowed to work freely, how democracy can function in the country? Even West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has been warning media in a control mode, otherwise her government could take action against them under the present Disaster Management Act. In this regard, NUJ(I) is of the view that the threat to act against media personnel, in general, shall demoralize the journalists in large which shall have severe conduct on the freedom of the press. 

In the recent incident Dr Praveen Tiwari is being harassed by Kolkatta Police, He is a senior print and TV journalist for last 20 years. Recently he got operated in for gallbladder too. The reports of Dr Tiwari are to wake up governments for such irregularities. Dr. Praveen Tiwari tried this through his video reports. Now, Kolkata police is harassing him by registering a case against him in 41(a) CRPC. The Kolkata police is sending him notices and asking him to come to Kolkata. In the era of pandemic the pressure is being made to suppress the voice of journalists. Such miscreant efforts will reduce the moral of journalists.

The National Union of Journalists (India) i.e. NUJ(I) strongly condemn this move. Its not about just one Journalist. Similarly many journalists are being threatened.

The National Union of Journalists (India) urges the Hon’ble Union Home Minister to look into the matter immediately where freedom of press interrogated. The protection of the media ensures independent and unbiased reporting, which pledges transparency in a democracy.

Thanking you,

Yours sincerely

Ras Bihari                                                               Prasanna Mohanty

President                                                               Secretary-General