Indian Newspaper Society condemns FIRs filed against senior journalists in Delhi, UP and Madhya Pradesh

The Indian Newspaper Society issued a press release today condemning the FIRs filed by the police in Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh against senior journalists.

The statement was issued on behalf of "the entire print industry".

"The Society appeals to the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to revisit their decisions," the press release said, "so that the rights of the Press are not circumscribed, and the media is able to perform its tasks fearlessly."

Six journalists - Rajdeep Sardesai, Mrinal Pande, Zafar Agha, Vinod Jose, Paresh Nath, and Anant Nath - along with Congress leader Shashi Tharoor were named in FIRs filed in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh for "misreporting" on a rally on January 26. Charges include sedition, criminal conspiracy, and promoting enmity for reporting and tweeting on the death of a protester during the rally organised by farmers protesting against the Narendra Modi government’s farm laws.

Sardesai works for India Today, Pande is consulting editor at National Herald, Zafar Agha is editor of Qaumi Awaz. Vinod Jose, Paresh Nath, Anant Nath are associated with the Caravan.