AMN / NEW DELHI
A delegation of journalists represented by the Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps and the Press Association today called on the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar and sought his cooperation and intervention in containing the growing atrocities on media persons while discharging their duties, particularly as witnessed during the ongoing violence in Delhi.
The delegation in its memorandum urged the Union Government, particularly the I&B Ministry and the Home Ministry to direct the police force everywhere, especially in the National Capital Region, which has been rocked by protests, to uphold democratic values and sensibilities.
The delegation, in its memorandum, highlighted the brutal and rough treatment unleashed by the police in the recent rioting in North East Delhi where journalists were shot at, heckled and even attacked by batons and rods and the police was found wanting in rendering assistance to assaulted reporters and camera persons/crews.
Sympathizing with the media cause, Mr Javadekar agreed with the plea that it was of utmost importance that the media is permitted to do its work in an atmosphere conducive to accurate and in-depth reporting no matter how challenging the circumstances may be.
He assured that he will take up the issue with the concerned authorities to ensure safety and security of journalists and facilitate conducive and panic-free environment that would allow media persons to discharge their professional duties in a conducive and panic-free environment.