New Delhi, Dec 24: The Press Council of India and Editors Guild of India have condemned the attack on media people in Manipur by militants, calling it a serious “threat” to press freedom and demanded protection of journalists by the state government.
The PCI while expressing grave concern over the death threats to the Editors and working journalists in Manipur from some underground and banned organisations in the recent days sought a report from the state government on the issue.
In a statement, the Council Chairman Justice C K Justice Prasad said any “diktat” to the Editors or working journalists for publication or non-publication of news by state or non-state players amounted to “invasion” of the news room and it violated freedom of the press guaranteed under the constitution.
The Council move followed reports of death threats received by Impact TV Editor-in-Chief Yumnam Rupachandra Singh from a militant organisation for not broadcasting a press note issued by it.
Terming it as unacceptable in a democratic society, Justice Prasad said the Press Council of India, a statutory body mandated to protect freedom of the press in the country, had taken suo-motu cognizance of the threats to the media and media personnel in Manipur.
The Council further said it will explore the possibility of sending a sub-committee to assess the situation in Manipur and neighbouring States in the wake of such threats.
