‘Blatant attack': Press bodies condemn detention of journalists at Delhi protest

A protestor being dragged towards a detention bus during Jantar Mantar 2.0 on October 10 in Delhi

NEW DELHI: Four journalists’ organisations on Saturday expressed concern over the detention of journalists covering protests in Delhi demanding chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, saying the incident raised serious questions about press freedom.The Press Club of India (PCI), Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), Delhi Union of Journalists (DUJ) and Delhi unit of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists (KUWJ) said journalists were targeted while documenting the police action. In a joint statement, they alleged that reporters carrying valid press identity cards were taken away and that some had their phones and reporting equipment confiscated, news agency PTI reported.The organisations termed the action a “blatant attack on the freedom of press” and demanded the immediate release of all detained journalists.Reporters taken to detention centres, equipment seizedAccording to the statement, journalists covering Saturday’s protests were put on buses and taken to locations including Chhatrasal Stadium and Chanakyapuri police station, alongside hundreds of protesters detained by the police.

The organisations said reporters were filming the detentions when police personnel took them into custody, despite their displaying press cards. They also cited complaints that officers refused to acknowledge their journalistic credentials, with some allegedly remarking, “Everybody claims to be a journalist these days.”The statement further alleged that official reporting phones belonging to some of the detained journalists were taken away.‘PIB accreditation cannot determine who can report’The four bodies also objected to the Delhi Police’s reported insistence that only journalists accredited by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) could 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,” they said.The organisations said they had flagged the issue in a memorandum to the Delhi Police commissioner earlier in the week. However, they alleged that the concerns and recommendations raised in the representation had not been addressed.They sought an inquiry into the role of senior police officers who allegedly directed the detention of journalists even after being shown their press identification cards. Their demands also included the return of seized equipment, a public apology from Delhi Police and an assurance that reporters would be free to cover demonstrations without interference.

They also said the restrictions, coupled with the detention of journalists, undermined the ability of the media to report on public protests and question institutions.“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 statement said.