New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India Wednesday condemned the arrest of Republic TV Editor-in-Chief Arnab Goswami by the Maharashtra Police in connection with a 2018 abetment to suicide case, calling it “extremely distressing”.
“The Editors Guild of India is shocked to learn about the arrest of Arnab Goswami, editor-in-chief of Republic TV, in the early hours of Wednesday by the Police. Goswami was arrested from his Mumbai residence reportedly an abetment to suicide case. We condemn the sudden arrest and find it extremely distressing,” the Guild said in a statement issued within hours of the arrest.
“The Guild calls upon Chief Minister of Maharashtra to ensure that Goswami is treated fairly and state power is not used against critical reporting by the media,” it added.
The Editors Guild of India has issued a statement on the arrest of Arnab Goswami, editor-in-chief of Republic TV. pic.twitter.com/gL3MstVlla
— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) November 4, 2020
Earlier in the day, a police team went to Goswami’s house and took him away in a convoy of vehicles, visuals on Republic TV showed. The arrest was made in connection with a 2018 case in which Goswami was alleged to have abetted the suicide of an architect and his mother.
Also read: How media has hit the self-destruct button in Arnab’s Republic-vs-other TV channels war
Journalists call move ‘wrong’
In a flurry of reactions, several senior journalists and rival channels decried the police action as they called for introspection.
Senior journalist and India Today’s Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai shared the Editors Guild statement on Twitter, calling it “important”.
Rajat Sharma, Chairman & Editor-in-Chief of India TV and News Broadcasters Association, condemned the ” sudden arrest”.
I condemn the sudden arrest of Arnab Goswami in an abetment to suicide case. While I don’t agree with his style of studio trial, I also don’t approve of misuse of state power to harass a journalist. A media Editor cannot be treated in this manner @PrakashJavdekar
— Rajat Sharma (@RajatSharmaLive) November 4, 2020
NDTV Editorial Director Sonia Singh called Goswami’s arrest “wrong”, and demanded his immediate release.
Arresting Arnab is WRONG. I couldn’t disagree more with him & his nightly diatribes many of them dangerously communal but this is a dangerous overreach by the police. He should be released immediately #ArnabGoswami
— sonia singh (@soniandtv) November 4, 2020
Times Now Editor-in-Chief Rahul Shivshankar said Goswami’s arrest “crosses a line” and sought introspection.
Agree with him or disagree with him but Arnab Goswami's arrest crosses a line. Many are asking who next? I recall at least 2 occasions when cops showed up to arrest me on motivated charges. FOE is supreme. Introspect. | @PMOIndia @BJP4India @INCIndia @cpimspeak @NCPspeaks
— Rahul Shivshankar (@RShivshankar) November 4, 2020
Also read: BJP sympathiser Sameet Thakkar latest, Sena’s filed 10 FIRs in 6 mths for ‘insulting CM, govt’
This accursed Brahmin deserves to be encountered. He has been using his channel to spread hatred.
That crazy Nityananda who had ran away to some Island in the Pacific??
If Arnab has been arrested, many people do not like style that does not allow arrests. Even other media houses need to introspect their job how he could get under the skin of government while government feel no heat from other media houses.
Because they are cold narrative peddlers.
I am sure this will become a template and other media houses which are right now just doing “tick box” journalism in other words “oh we even spoke against his arrest” but did make hue and cry about it will face the music soon
Arnab arrest proves one thin, the so called liberal media only knows how to target Modi. They are completely blind to all other aspect which is not related to Modi. Arnab methodology may be wrong or right but liberals’ (NDTV, Print, ABP, …) media silence is definitely questionable. The arrest proves one thing for sure that something very murky about Sushant singh case and Disha salian case is suppressed and liberal media have no ball to pursue it. I think the take away message is that you cannot trust anyone. Advise to Media: Don’t preach unless you practice. Maharashtra government is shame on Marathi culture. Though I have not seen emergency but I can imagine this is what it looked like. Indians need to rethink about the 4th pillar of democracy. Should they trust ? The good thing is that truth always prevails though it takes some time.
For the first time in my life, my complete support and solidarity with Shri Arnab Goswami.
No doubt there must have been some basic evidence for the arrest to take place. JOurnalists cannot
have blanket immunity against any kind of suspicious acts. Reviving an old case is now the norm, ever since a 2011 IT case against
Rahul gandhi was re opened.
Pappu supporter trying to heal his pain 😀