New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India said it was deeply concerned by the FIR registered against editors of the news portal Scroll.in and called the police action an “overreaction” that would seriously undermine the “freedom of the media”.
In a statement issued Friday, the Guild also said the increasing frequency of such misuse of laws by the authorities is “tantamount to shooting the messenger and destroying a key pillar of India’s democracy”.
Scroll.in‘s Executive Editor Supriya Sharma and the chief editor were named in the FIR filed at Varanasi’s Ramnagar police station over a report published from Domari village in the constituency. It followed a complaint by Mala Devi, who was quoted by Sharma in her report, published on Scroll.in on 8 June.
The FIR was filed on 13 June under Sections 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life) and 501 (printing or engraving matter known to be defamatory) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) as also under the Scheduled Castes and Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act (SC/ST Act).
Also read: ‘Govt has no tolerance for criticism, fears independent journalism’
Scroll stands by the story, Guild supports Scroll
The Guild noted the statement from Scroll.in saying that it “stood by the article in question” and clarified that it had accurately reported Devi’s statements.
Sharma had interviewed Devi in UP’s Domari village, Varanasi, on 5 June 2020, a report of which was published with the title: ‘In Varanasi village adopted by Prime Minister Modi, people went hungry during the lockdown’, Scroll.in had said.
“In view of the categorical statement from Scroll.in, the Guild is of the view that the use of the various Sections of the IPC and the SC/ST Act are an overreaction and will seriously undermine freedom of the media,” the Guild’s statement read.
“The use of criminal provisions of the law against journalists has now become an unhealthy and despicable trend that has no place in any vibrant democracy. It needs to be resisted as well as eliminated,” it added.
The Guild said it respected all laws of the land as also the right of Devi to defend herself against any acts of injustice. But it found the “flagrant misuse of such laws unjustifiable and reprehensible”.
Also read: Deeply disturbing that criminal laws are being used to intimidate journalists: Editors Guild
Where was this guild when Arnab was attacked? This Guild is only to protect the coterie which is anti Modi & anti BJP/NDA. They have lost credibility.
Under the umbrella of ” freedom of speech “, some so called ‘journalists’ trying to spread fake news like wildfire in the country.
What are the actions taken by editors guild on journalist who spread fake news ?
Yogi is prompt. Nails lies. Good work Yogi.
Praiseworthy. Mahatma Gandhi would have advised the Editors’ Guild to boycott all functions and formal events of the state government.
In the fake news times, news portals can’t claim special privileges not available to ordinary people expressing through social media. Editors Guild is highly politicised and anti-Modi.
This is hypocrisy. Editors Guild only supports who are members of their echo chamber. Other journalists are not taken care by. Congress government harassed Arnab Goswami but you did not raise your voice but now issuing statements. Shame on you man
John Koshy, you must be the most gullible and stupid keralite born till date. The editors guild has a duty to protect real journalism which spells truth to power not the brown nosing paid journalism practised by Arknob. If Arknob is your model as a journalist your IQ must be lower than amoeba.