Press Council condemns journalist inclusion in Siang dam protest search warrant

The Press Council of India (PCI) has issued a sharp rebuke to state authorities over the inclusion of a senior journalist in search warrant requests related to coverage of protests against the Siang dam project.

In a statement, the PCI condemned what it characterised as deliberate attempts by state authorities to intimidate and harass journalists reporting on the ongoing agitation. The council expressed concern that such actions undermine press freedom and the media's fundamental role in covering matters of public interest.

The Siang dam project has emerged as a contentious issue, with protests continuing against the proposed hydroelectric development. Journalists covering these demonstrations have become an important source of information for public discourse around the project's environmental and social implications.

The PCI's intervention highlights growing concerns among media watchdogs about potential restrictions on journalistic freedom in the region. The council's statement underscores the importance of protecting journalists from official harassment while they discharge their professional duties of reporting on public protests and government projects.