PERSONAL LIBERTY SHOULD BE AN ELECTION ISSUE

The government should not seize journalists' gadgets without a court order. The judiciary has been clear on this. Now the public needs to vote on it

- KALEESWARAM RAJ

NEVER hesitate to speak out boldly against wrongs." These words of Ramnath Goenka are a perpetual guiding light for Indian journalism. The recent police actions against a few dissenting media persons in the capital and elsewhere have further diminished the image of the ruling dispensation, underlining the eternal relevance of Goenka's words. But speaking the truth is a difficult task, especially during tough times.

Online news portal NewsClick was recently accused by the Delhi police of having a questionable Chinese connection and obtaining illegitimate funding for activities that allegedly challenged the sovereignty and integrity of India. The chief editor and HR head were arrested and charged under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA). Raids were conducted on the premises of some senior journalists in various parts of the country. They were reportedly asked about their role in the people's movement against the Citizenship Amendment Act and the three contentious farm laws of 2020 that now stand repealed.

Many of the allegations in themselves are serious, yet they are vague and obscure. They also lack credibility for want of acceptable materials, at least prima facie. If any illegality is committed by anyone including journalists, he or she should be subjected to the due process of law. If a media outlet acts against national interest, not only the government but the people at large are entitled to know about it, as it is a matter of concern for everyone. But the initial reluctance of the agencies to disclose the allegations or even the First Information Report (FIR) shook the credibility of these agencies, rather than of the journalists. When the FIR ultimately came out, its content only discredited the regime further.