New Delhi: Four journalists’ organisations, including the Press Club of India (PCI) and the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), on Saturday condemned the detention of several journalists covering protests in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The organisations alleged that reporters were harassed and their phones and equipment seized.
In a joint statement, the organisations said several despite displaying their press identity cards. The statement was issued by the PCI, IWPC, Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (Delhi unit).
Delhi Police detained hundreds of protesters on Saturday during the demonstrations demanding Kumar’s resignation. According to the four organisations, journalists covering the police action were also bundled into buses and taken to detention centres, including Chhatrasal Stadium and Chanakyapuri police station.
Reporters from The Quint, The Wire, Scroll, Reporter TV, Navbharat Times and Newslaundry, along with senior journalist Paranjoy Guha Thakurta, were among those detained.
“The reporters said they were detained while filming detentions, despite prominently displaying their press cards,” the statement said.
The organisations alleged that police officers questioned the journalists’ claims of being members of the press. Some officers reportedly told them, “Everybody claims to be a journalist these days.”
The four bodies also said they had received complaints that official phones used by the detained journalists for reporting were snatched and seized.
Describing the detentions as a “blatant attack on the freedom of press”, the organisations questioned Delhi Police’s earlier position that only journalists accredited by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) would be allowed to cover the protests.
“Press freedom in India cannot be conditional on PIB accreditation. A large section of digital and independent media does not have PIB cards, yet they are recognised press under the law,” the statement said.
The organisations said they had submitted a joint memorandum to the Delhi Police commissioner earlier this week, raising concerns over restrictions on journalists covering the protests. However, they alleged that the police did not act on their suggestions.
They demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all detained journalists, the return of their phones and equipment, and a public apology from Delhi Police.
They also called for an inquiry into the conduct of senior police officers who allegedly ordered the detentions despite journalists showing their press identity cards. The organisations further demanded an assurance that reporters would not be stopped from covering protests.
Media Bodies Criticise Delhi Security Measures
The four organisations also criticised the extensive security arrangements in the national capital. They alleged that 22,000 police and paramilitary personnel had been deployed, metro stations had been closed and internet services shut down to prevent protests.
“Preventing journalists from doing their job, detaining them without reason, and creating a fortress-like situation in the capital with 22,000 police and paramilitary, closed metro stations and unprecedented internet shutdowns, to stop peaceful questioning of institutions is reminiscent of a fascist state,” the organisations said.
Expressing solidarity with the detained journalists, the four bodies said reporters must be allowed to carry out their professional duties without intimidation or interference.