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
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