PTI
NEW DELHI, NOVEMBER 19
19: Taking suo motu action regarding a controversial notice issued to media houses by Assam Rifles, the Press Council of India (PCI) has sought to know reasons and necessity behind the move which it said appeared prima facie as having an adverse bearing on the freedom of press.
The PCI has also sought the Nagaland Chief Secretary’s report in the matter.
In a statement released here, the PCI said that it has moved suo motu regarding notice dated October 25, 2015 issued by Assam Rifles to Nagaland Media under “Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967” having prima facie an adverse bearing on the freedom of press.
“Press Council’s chairman, Justice Chandramauli Kumar Prasad, initiating suo motu action in the matter, has called upon the Director General, Assam Rifles to furnish the reason, circumstance and necessity of issuing the aforesaid notice.
Chief Secretary, Nagaland’s report in the issue too has been urgently sought,” the statement said.
The Editors Guild of India today had also termed as “pernicious” the order by Assam Rifles, which it said “warned” newspapers against carrying statements by militant groups, especially National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), since it had been declared a terrorist organisation by Centre.
Yesterday, the Assam Rifles had denied that it had issued any “gag order” to the media and that at no stage had the media been asked to dilute their free reporting.
In a statement issued in Kohima, it had, however, said Assam Rifles had written the letter to the editors of five media houses of Nagaland on October 24 highlighting the fact that NSCN(K) has been notified as an unlawful association under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 by MHA and amplified some of the clauses of the Gazette Notification which have its own legal implications.”
Publishing an “extortion notice” of a “banned organisation” against business establishments is akin to abetting the “banned organisation” in collection of funds which will be used to carry out subversive activities against government agencies and security forces, IGAR(N) had said.
AR order to newspapers pernicious: Editors Guild
The Editors Guild of India today voiced concern over a recent order of the Assam Rifles to newspapers, saying it could “severely curtail freedom of Nagaland-based media houses” and asked the Ministry of Home Affairs to intervene.
Terming as “pernicious” the order by Assam Rifles, which had “warned” newspapers against carrying statements by militant groups, especially National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Khaplang), since it had been declared a terrorist organisation by Centre, the Guild said it supports newspapers which demonstrated their unwillingness to follow it.
Any restrictions on coverage of legitimate news or efforts to silence the media is an assault on freedom of media which the Editors Guild condemns, it added.
It is “reprehensible” that the Assam Rifles sought to “censor” the newspapers by threatening to punish them under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act of 1967, if they violated the order, the Guild statement signed by its President Raj Chengappa, General Secretary Prakash Dubey and Treasurer Seema Mustafa said.
The senior journalists, in the statement, added that it is common knowledge that in newspapers being published in zones having unresolved issues and conflict, there are many view and opinions that are expressed.
“While everyone appreciates that police has a role to play in maintenance of law and order, it is important for newspapers in the spirit of fairness and objectivity to report divergent opinions after due diligence and with responsibility,” the Guild said.
Five newspapers had yesterday published blank editorials as a mark of protest against the Assam Rifles order.
It urged the Home Minister to intervene and lift the order in the interest of press freedom.
“The Guild views positively the offer of Nagaland media houses to work with the democratically elected Government of Nagaland on issues that would enable the media to function freely and address any objections in a peaceful and constructive manner,” the statement said.
Yesterday, the Assam Rifles had denied that it had issued any “gag order” to the media and that at no stage had the media been asked to dilute their free reporting.
In a statement issued in Kohima, it had, however, said Assam Rifles had written the letter to the editors of five media houses of Nagaland on October 24 highlighting the fact that NSCN(K) has been notified as an unlawful association under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967 by MHA and amplified some of the clauses of the Gazette Notification which have its own legal implications.”
Publishing an “extortion notice” of a “banned organisation” against business establishments is akin to abetting the “banned organisation” in collection of funds which will be used to carry out subversive activities against government agencies and security forces, IGAR(N) said.
