India: Police in Manipur File Charges Against Editors Guild of India Members Over Allegations of Inciting Unrest Amidst Ethnic Violence
The Coalition For Women In Journalism condemns the legal threats, demands authorities withdraw charges immediately
Location: India, Manipur
Date: September 4, 2023
Police files two First Information Reports against Editors Guild of India members Seema Guha and Seema Mustafa after the Guild released a statement warning about bias in Manipur media. The charges include promoting enmity between different groups, defamation, and criminal conspiracy. Manipur has been plagued by ethnic violence since May. The Coalition For Women In Journalism strongly condemns the legal threats against Seema Guha and Seema Mustafa. We demand the immediate withdrawal of all charges. We emphasize that such intimidation and legal actions hinder the free flow of information and impede the pursuit of truth.
On September 3, journalist Seema Guha and Seema Mustafa, President of the Editors Guild of India (EGI), faced legal action as police filed two separate cases against them, commonly known as first information reports (FIRs). EGI has taken its case to the Supreme Court, seeking redress against the filed FIRs.
The action was lodged in the state capital, Imphal, after two people made complaints following EGI's report criticizing the one-sided coverage by local media regarding the ethnic violence ongoing in Manipur since May.
EGI released a fact-finding report on Saturday, September 2, highlighting the alleged bias in Manipur media during the ongoing conflict. According to the report, the local media appeared to have become a "Meitei media," favoring the dominant ethnic group in its reporting.
The clashes between the predominantly Hindu Meite and the primarily Christian Kuki-Zo tribes have displaced more than 65,000 people and have claimed over 150 lives. EGI also raised concerns about the government's response to the situation.
EGI’s report, compiled between August 7 and August 10, considered representations made by various parties, including the Indian army. It highlights concerns over the perceived imbalanced and biased coverage of the ethnic clashes in Manipur by both local and national media.
Manipur, home to 3.2 million people, has been facing an internet ban since May, severely limiting journalists' ability to report from the region. EGI emphasized that the internet shutdown has had a detrimental impact on journalism, impeding communication among reporters, editors, and sources.
Backlash Erupts against Editors Guild of India Report
During a news conference on Monday, September 4, Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh raised questions about the authority of EGI to conduct a fact-finding inquiry in the state. Singh accused the editors' body of reaching conclusions based on interactions with specific sections of society.
Singh strongly condemned the report and stated that the state government took action against the editors' body due to their perceived role in trying to incite further clashes. Singh's remarks indicate a disagreement between the government and EGI over the validity and intentions of the fact-finding report.
In response to Singh's accusations, EGI issued a statement expressing their criticism towards his characterization of their organization as "anti-national."
The All Manipur Working Journalists Union (AMWJU) and Editors Guild Manipur (EGM) have voiced their criticism of the EGI report, describing it as "half-baked." According to the two press bodies, the report contains numerous contentious claims and "wrong representations" that have the potential to tarnish the reputation of the journalist community, particularly in Imphal.
The AMWJU and EGM statement raised objections to several findings in the EGI report. They expressed dissatisfaction that the report failed to adequately represent the views presented by AMWJU and EGM regarding the violence and threats faced by Manipuri journalists. Additionally, they disagreed with the allegation that they were taking instructions from the chief minister.
Senior journalist and editor of Imphal Review of Arts and Politics, Pradip Phanjoubam, commented that the EGI report appeared rushed in production.
In response to the concerns raised, the Editors Guild of India (EGI) issued a correction regarding a photograph in their report. The picture was incorrectly captioned as a Kuki-inhabited house burned in the violence.
Endorsement of Editors Guild of India Report
A local journalist, wishing to remain anonymous for safety concerns, expressed a grim reality about the state of press freedom in Manipur. According to the journalist, the region needs more true press freedom, as media outlets serve their respective communities and potentially face legal repercussions for critical reporting.
The journalist shared their personal experience dialing down their journalism activities since the current government came into power. Their statement reflects the challenges faced by journalists wary of being entangled in legal issues and the resulting burden it can bring.
The Press Club of India, based in New Delhi, strongly condemned the filing of FIRs against the members of the Editors Guild of India (EGI) in Manipur. In a statement issued on Monday, the Press Club characterized the police actions as an attempt to silence the messengers instead of focusing on effective measures to restore peace in the state.
The police cases filed against Guha and Mustafa highlight a concerning trend in India's press freedom landscape. The country has experienced a decline in press freedom and currently ranks 161st out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index, a decline attributed to the rise of the BJP party led by Prime Minister Modi.
CFWIJ has been diligently monitoring the state of press freedom in India. Throughout our efforts, we have documented numerous instances of violations specifically targeting women journalists.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism unequivocally denounces the use of legal threats against Seema Guha and Seema Mustafa. We urgently call upon the authorities to withdraw these charges without delay. Press freedom is a fundamental pillar of democratic societies, and any attempts to stifle and intimidate journalists have a chilling effect on the free flow of information. We urge the authorities to protect and uphold the rights of journalists, ensuring a safe and enabling environment for them to fulfill their vital role in society.
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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