SHILLONG: The Editors Guild of India is deeply concerned by the growing tendency among police in various states to take cognisance of frivolous charges against journalists and convert them into an FIR.
The latest instance is of the Delhi Police’s FIR against veteran journalist Vinod Dua, based on a complaint by Naveen Kumar, who has been identified as a spokesperson of the BJP.
The accusations are a brazen attack on his right to free speech and fair comment. An FIR based on this is an instrument of harassment setting off a process that is itself a punishment, the Guild said.
While condemning this practice, the Guild urged the police to respect Constitutionally guaranteed freedoms and not behave in a manner that raises questions on its independence.
