New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India Monday said it is “pained” to see hundreds of FIRs filed against Republic TV journalists, adding that the “victimization” of journalists should stop.
“The Editors Guild of India is pained to see the unedifying spectacle of hundreds of FIRs being filed against journalists of Republic TV, which is under probe for allegedly manipulating TRPs and spreading discontent against the Mumbai police,” the statement read.
“We do not wish to influence the probe by the authorities, even if we recognise it has the potential to bring in much needed transparency on the manipulation of popularity, and creation of ‘proceeds of crime’- as claimed by the police; but the victimization of the journalists should immediately stop. The use of arbitrary state power is not and has never been in the interests of working journalists,” the statement added.
The last couple of days have witnessed an intense standoff between the Mumbai Police and Republic TV, which is under probe for allegedly manipulating TRPs and airing news about a revolt against Mumbai Police Commissioner Param Bir Singh.
The Mumbai Police has registered several FIRs against journalists of Republic TV, booking its executive editor, anchor, two reporters and other editorial staff members for allegedly inciting “dissatisfaction” against the Mumbai Police commissioner.
The Editors Guild also said the standoff between the news channel and the city police “threatens” the balance between “media freedom and the imperative for it to reside within the rule of law”.
“Right to free speech does not mean a licence to promote hate speech,” the statement said.
Also read: Republic TV editors booked for report on ‘rebellion’ against Mumbai Police commissioner
Conduct in Sushant Singh Rajput death case
The Guild also noted that the channel’s “high-strung conduct” in actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death raises “issues about media credibility and the limits to reporting”.
“Besides the unsavory details pertaining to the manipulation of TRPs, the Republic TV’s high-strung conduct during the unfortunate demise of film actor Sushant Singh Rajput also raises issues about media credibility and the limits to reporting,” the statement said.
The News Broadcaster’s association (NBA) had said Saturday it doesn’t “approve” the kind of journalism Republic TV endorses, while urging the government to withdraw the CBI probe into the TRP scam case.
The Mumbai High Court had last week asked the channel if asking the public who should be arrested is a part of “investigative journalism”.
“These are important issues that should have been resolved long ago, but were allowed to fester. It is high time the channel behaves responsibly and not compromises the safety of its journalists as well as hurt the collective credibility of media,” the Guild said.
“The police must ensure that its investigation does not hurt the channel’s journalists or makes any arrests. And that the investigation does not become a tool to suppress media rights,” it added.
Also read: ‘Vendetta or witch hunt’ — Republic TV ‘fake TRP’ probe opens another front in BJP-MVA fight
Of the great intellectuals of our country, we are very pained to observe that, the highest degree of professional-jealousy seems to exist among the journalists. The fall of one journalist appears to be vicariously enjoyed by other journalists. Journalists, whether visual-media or print-media are supposed to be righteous and truthful always. People believe them thinking that they tell truth and only truth. Hence, their responsibilities towards the society to report only truth without any favour or fear are very high. At the same time, freedom of expression should not be misused to talk or write whatever they feel without thinking about the ramifications. There should be a highly-balanced approach in reporting events . All the journalists should take an oath that they tell only truth and nothing but the truth. The tendency to create sensational news without even an iota of truth should be totally avoided. When all journalists adhere only to the truth under all circumstances, there will not be any jealousy or quarrel among them and people will be proud of such truthful intellectuals. May truth alone survive and may truth alone reach the ears of the common people of our country praised for truth. *सत्यमेव जयते*
OM SHANTI SHANTI SHANTI.
They’re neither victim not journalists… They are trp leechers
Why editors guild is silent on original FIR on some other chanel and naming some other chanel in live conference
Parties of, for and by thugs act to their inherent qualities; a flexible and willing police force finds it easier to go with them than go by judicious norms. Vinaasa kaaley vivareedha budhdhi.
Parties of, for and by thugs act to their inherent qualities; a flexible and willing police force finds it easier to go with them than go by judicious norms. Vinaasa kaaley vivareedha budhdhi.
One thing is clear. If you bark continuously, someone will bark at you sometime.
It is only after Shekhar Gupta stepped aside as the head of EGI that it is now speaking up. It should have spoken up much earlier as Republic TV and Timesnow are being hounded, Republic in particular. But with SG at helm of EGI it was not expected that he would speak up as the govt in Maharashtra is of his own bosses. EGI cant have two different yardsticks. Der aye durust aye.
What is actually painful as well is how low channels have fallen along with the standards of journalists. Far from reporting news channels have now become the voice of political parties and their propaganda and now a common man has no means of actually knowing news from noise.
By the who is saying Republic TV have journalist they were running BIG BOSS 2 in anyway who care what happening to them they almost took “SUPARI” for a girl Rhea. to declare a her guilty in SSR case. Karma will ultimately find but so quick, look like GOD is also on a proactive action/ jobs.
Now Editors guilt is feeling the pain. Why didn’t they feel the pain when republic TV and other channels was systematically deriding and ridiculing the police, CM, actors and Bollywood and making them targets around the world. Now they want the CBI investigation against them withdrawn whereas the channels were vying for CBI enquiry against weak defenceless girl. Now they are exposed for all their illegal misdeeds to make crores of money and most probably the guilty will have to go to jail. That’s why they are worried.