Politics · India Bureau
Press bodies condemn police detention of journalists at Delhi protests
Four major journalism organisations have jointly protested the detention and harassment of reporters covering Saturday's demonstrations in Delhi against the Chief Election Commissioner. Police detained journalists despite valid press credentials and confiscated equipment, the groups said.
LSN India ·
The Press Club of India, Indian Women's Press Corps, Delhi Union of Journalists and Kerala Union of Working Journalists (Delhi unit) issued a coordinated statement Saturday condemning police actions against media personnel covering protests demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.
According to the joint statement, Delhi Police detained several journalists despite their display of press identity cards. Officers also seized mobile phones and equipment from reporters attempting to document the police response to the demonstrations. Journalists from multiple outlets, including The Quint, The Wire, Scroll, Reporter TV and Navbharat Times, were among those affected.
Police detained hundreds of protesters at Saturday's demonstrations and transported detained journalists to multiple locations including Chhatrasal Stadium and Chanakyapuri police station. The press bodies characterised the action as interference with media freedom and the public's right to information.
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about press freedom during large-scale public demonstrations in the national capital, with journalism organisations emphasising that accreditation should protect reporters covering news events.