The Delhi Union of Journalists condemns the gag order for journalists covering the home ministry. However, it needs to be underlined that such curbs are not new and have been in force since 2014 curbs, albeit in a not so overt manner. What is new is that they are now becoming more obvious and blatant. The report that has appeared in this context in today’s edition of the Hindu is an ominous indicator of things to come. It has been reported that the practice of journalists meeting senior officers in their chambers virtually comes to an end.
“The information flow to mediapersons will be arranged in media room no. 9, North Block. Mediapersons will be told by ADG [Media] that they do not have briefing/meeting with officers other than in the media room,” the order from Joint Secretary Satpal Chouhan said. It added that “M.A. Ganapathy, Joint Secretary (Internal Security), being the official spokesperson of the Ministry, will brief the media on a need-to-do basis”.
The DUJ while expressing its strongest disapproval of this order expresses its solidarity with the protesting journalists.
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