SHILLONG: The Editors Guild of India has condemned several incidents of physical attack on journalists in West Bengal on May 6, during the fifth phase of polling. Journalists belonging to different media organisations including NewsX, ABP Ananda and Zee News were attacked, allegedly by workers of the Trinamool Congress (TMC).
Physical attacks against journalists are always reprehensible, but particularly so during elections as they undermine fair media scrutiny of an election, a statement from the Editors Guild read.
The Guild urges the Election Commission of India to initiate necessary action against those who indulged in physical violence against journalists and asks the TMC-led West Bengal government to ensure law and order in the state so that journalists are not attacked by political parties and they can perform their professional duties safely.
Meanwhile, the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC), Press Association and South Asian Women in the Media (SAWM), India, also condemned the incidents of violence perpetrated on journalists, both men and women, in West Bengal.
Freedom of the press is sacrosanct under the Constitution and media scrutiny constitutes an important part of the democratic process.
“We appeal to the Election Commission and other authorities to take action against the accused and ensure that law and order is maintained for the remainder of the election so that journalists are not harassed or intimidated or attacked by political parties”, a statement issued by the IWPC said.
