India: Police Charge Vineetha VG with Criminal Conspiracy for Reporting on Student Protest

Police accuse VG of withholding information on protest

Location: India, Kerala
Date: December 23, 2023

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom vehemently condemn the actions taken by the police in charging journalist Vineetha VG with "criminal conspiracy" in Kerala, India. VG, a respected journalist with 24 News, was covering a state government outreach program on December 10 when the alleged incident involving student protestors occurred. The charges against her are not only baseless but also a flagrant violation of press freedom. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all charges against Vineetha VG. Her right to report and inform the public is a cornerstone of democracy and must be protected.

Kerala Police have charged journalist Vineetha VG of the Malayalam television channel 24 News with "criminal conspiracy" following her coverage of a student protest. The incident, which involved the Kerala Students Union (KSU), took place during a state government outreach program on December 10.

Vineetha VG was present at the site, fulfilling her journalistic duties, when the protest led by KSU members escalated, resulting in shoes being hurled at a bus carrying Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The police subsequently filed a first information report (FIR) against four individuals directly involved in the protest under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). However, as the fifth accused, VG faces undisclosed charges, with her employers reporting a "criminal conspiracy charge."

The police have alleged that VG was in communication with some KSU members, suggesting that she was aware of the protests. It added that the journalist should have informed them about the protests.

Kerala’s journalist community has condemned the incident, questioning the police’s decision to charge VG for communicating with political figures, which is not only standard but a common practice among journalists reporting on the ground. Arraigning the journalist for following reporting protocol in the field raises concerns regarding the violation of press freedom in India, which leaves them vulnerable to legal threats.

VG’s is not the first case of legal harassment of journalists in India, as several journalists have recently been booked by the police for merely doing their job.

In a separate incident, four journalists are facing “criminal conspiracy and criminal trespass” charges for reporting a women’s protest where the protestors entered the Kerala state police chief's residence on December 16 to demonstrate against the rape and murder of a six-year-old girl, the Deccan Herald reported. The report, however, did not name the individuals involved.

In June this year, the CFWIJ documented how Asianet News reporter Akhila Nandakumar was investigated for conspiracy to defame after reporting on suspicious exam results of the leader of the student wing of India’s Communist Party. Her arraignment garnered immense outrage, and the police eventually withdrew the case in October, informing the Kerala High Court that her name was removed as an accused because no evidence was found against her.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stand in solidarity with VG and all journalists facing undue legal pressure and intimidation in India. It is imperative for the Kerala authorities and the wider Indian government to respect press freedom and ensure a safe environment for journalists to perform their duties without fear of persecution or retaliation. The freedom of the press is crucial for a healthy democracy, and it is the responsibility of the state to uphold and protect this fundamental right.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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