The largest organisation of journalists from across the country with the membership of more than eight thousand journalists, majority of them senior journalists Press Club of India , Indian Women Press Corps, Press Association , Delhi Union of Journalists, Kerala Union of Working Journalists and Working News Cameramen Association has strongly condemned and expressed its serious concern over the arrest of the owner of GUJARAT SAMACHAR – Bahu Bhai Shah by the Enforcement Directorate terming it an action which reflects a troubling assault on freedom of the Press and democratic values that uphold the right to free expression in India.
In a press statement issued here signed by the PCI chief Gautam Lahiri on behalf of the five reputed media organisations it is stated that a respected publication cation with a long standing legacy of independent journalism, Gujarat Samachar has been a prominent voice for the people of Gujarat and beyond. The related actions by the Enforcement Directorate and allied agencies to target the media certainly undermine the fundamental principles of democracy enshrined in the constitution and wrote public trust in the institutions said the PCI chief Gautam Lahiri in the statement.
While expressing its condemnation over the action the six media organisations demanded utmost transparency regarding the allegations and urged the authorities to ensure due process, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law adding that the media plays a crucial role in holding the power to account, more so in a functioning democracy emphasising on immediate stoppage of witch hunting of the media and media persons including framing of serious charges on frivolous, biased and fabricated grounds.
Demanding immediate release of the owner of Gujarat Samachar unless the incredible evidence is found against him, the six media organisations urged the government to protect the independence of the press in the interest of robust democracy at all costs.
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