NewsClick case: 16 press groups write to CJI on ‘repressive use’ of state agencies against media

Sixteen press groups wrote a letter to Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud today, requesting that the judiciary intervene to “put an end to the increasingly repressive use of investigating agencies against the media”.

It was signed by Digipub News India Foundation, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Club of India, Foundation for Media Professionals, Chandigarh Press Club, National Alliance of Journalists, Delhi Union of Journalists, Kerala Union of Working Journalists, Brihanmumbai Union of Journalists, Free Speech Collective, Mumbai, Mumbai Press Club, Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists, Press Association, Guwahati Press Club, Indian Journalists’ Union, and Network of Women in Media, India.

The letter cited the NewsClick case, with the arrest of its founder and HR head under the draconian UAPA, and also the police searches of 46 journalists and others connected to the news portal. The police had also seized a number of mobile phones, laptops and others.

“During your time at the Supreme Court, you have seen how on numerous occasions, the country’s investigating agencies have been misused and weaponised against the press,” the letter said. “Sedition and terrorism cases have been filed against editors and reporters, and multiple, sequential and/or frivolous FIRs have been used as an instrument of harassment against journalists.”

The letter emphasised that this wasn’t an attempt to “bypass or circumvent” procedure, but pointed out that the intimidation of the media “affects the democratic fabric of society”.

“Our fear is that state actions against the media have been taken beyond measure, and should they be allowed to continue in the direction they are headed, it may be too late for corrective or remedial steps. It is, therefore, our collective view that the higher judiciary must now intervene to put an end to the increasingly repressive use of investigating agencies against the media,” it said.

The letter asked for the courts to consider three points: the framing of norms to discourage the seizure of journalists’ devices; guidelines for seizures and the interrogation of journalists; and finding ways to ensure accountability of state agencies. 

“There have been many instances over the past few years when assaults on the free press by the state have required judicial intervention, and we continue to pursue such cases. But the developments over the past 24 hours have left us no option but to appeal to your good conscience to take cognisance and intervene before it is too late and an autocratic police state becomes the norm,” it said.

Newslaundry has reported in detail on the NewsClick case and how events unfolded yesterday. Read about it here.