The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) on Monday condemned the harassment of journalists, especially women journalists, by the police during protests against the Chief Election Commissioner at Jantar Mantar in Delhi, Namasthe Telangana reported.
A woman journalist complained that an ACP harassed her, but the police refused to register an FIR for several hours despite her complaint at the Parliament Street Police Station, Namasthe Telangana stated. IJU President Balwinder Singh and Secretary General D. Somasundar expressed anger over this incident.
The IJU stated that the police's inaction on the complaint is unacceptable in a democratic society governed by the rule of law, Namasthe Telangana reported.
Several journalists and independent digital platform journalists were subjected to harassment even after showing their identity cards, the IJU said, according to Namasthe Telangana.
The IJU demanded criminal and departmental action against the police personnel involved in the harassment of journalists, Namasthe Telangana reported. The IJU also demanded an independent investigation with a specific time limit into the physical assault, harassment, and illegal detention of journalists.
The safety of journalists and their ability to work freely are crucial for democracy. These incidents raise concerns for journalists' associations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as well, as they impact media freedom across the country.