The Editors Guild of India in its executive committee meeting expressed deep concern over reports that the Nashik Police had booked Poonam Agarwal, a reporter of The Quint, a digital news website, under the Official Secrets Act and for abetment of suicide for her report headlined “Soldier or Servant?” that was published on 24 February 2017.
The Guild took note of a letter sent by the Editorial Director, The Quint, to the Guild in which he stated that The Quint video report had exposed the continuing abuse of jawans by its seniors despite the Indian Army issuing a circular to put an end of the misuse of the so called “sahayak” system. Pugalia’s letter had stated that following the death of one of the jawans featured in the video, The Quint had taken down the report “in the interest of investigation and to ensure that other jawans who appeared in the video were not harassed by officers whose misconduct was exposed.”
The Guild opined that to book The Quint reporter under the draconian provisions of the Official Secrets Act is unfair and unjustified. It was akin to shooting the messenger and was a direct threat to the freedom of the press. The Guild stated that the report done by The Quint was in public interest and exposing the misuse of jawans by their seniors could hardly be construed as violating the Official Secrets Act.
The Guild added that to penalise the reporter under its provisions was a clear attempt by the Nashik police and the Army to harass her and silence the voice of the press. The Guild also called upon print, electronic and digital media to follow the guidelines enumerated in the Guild's Code of Practice for media organisations and journalists while conducting such sting operations or exposes.
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