Indian Journalists Union Demands Probe into Attacks on Media During Student Protests
The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) on Friday strongly condemned what it described as physical attacks and intimidation of journalists covering student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and other locations across the country. The union described the incidents as a serious assault on press freedom.
In a joint statement, IJU President Balwinder Singh Jammu and Secretary-General D. Soma Sundar said it was deplorable that media personnel performing their professional duties had faced attacks from both security forces and sections of the protesters. The union criticised the alleged use of force by security personnel, including shock batons and pellet guns, against students and journalists. It also expressed concern over reports that Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and Delhi Police officers were deployed in civilian clothes without name badges, making identification difficult.
The IJU said journalists have a duty to report on protests that have drawn national and international attention. It noted that visuals showing attacks on reporters and video journalists were deeply disturbing. The union urged protesters to recognise that field reporters have no role in determining the editorial policies of their organisations and should not be targeted over the perceived editorial stance of media managements.
The union observed that journalists from some television news channels and media organisations, perceived by protesters as being pro-government and anti-protest, were specifically targeted during the demonstrations. It maintained that attacks on journalists—whether by protesters or security personnel—were anti-democratic and amounted to a direct attack on the freedom of the press.
While reaffirming that every media organisation has the right to determine its editorial policy, the union expressed concern that the practices adopted by certain media managements were eroding the credibility of the media and journalistic standards. It called upon media organisations to undertake introspection to restore public trust.
