New Delhi, 5 July 2023: The Indian Journalists Union joins its affiliate the Andhra Pradesh Media Federation in severely condemning the arrest of four media representatives -- N. Sunil Chakravarthy (Camera News), A.V. Suryanarayana (Prime9 News), Reporters Chanti Venkataratnam and A. Balakrishna, in false cases by the police in Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh on Sunday July 2. The Union demands that the cases filed under dubious information, be withdrawn immediately and freedom of press be respected.
According to APMF General Secretary P Dillibabu Reddy the reporters and cameraman had investigated and uncovered the Tirumala Srivari Parakamannur cash robbery case and telecast it on their channels. The four, he said, were discharging their duty by unravelling the truth and duly informing the public. However, on directions of Parameshwara Reddy, SP, Tirupati District, the Police arrested and sent them to remand under false cases, based on what they claimed ‘information received from unknown persons and social media that the four were blackmailing, earning illegal money and issuing threats under the guise of media.’
Reddy said persons involved in the robbery case sought to take revenge on the journalists by joining hands with the police, giving false information so they are implicated. Given that the State Government has a High-Power Committee to investigate attacks on journalists headed by Home Minister and Districts Media Attack Committees headed by the DCs, the APMF urged the DGP, Guntur District, to withdraw the cases immediately and Tirupati DC to resolve the issue amicably.
In a statement, IJU President and former member, Press Council of India Geetartha Pathak and Secretary General and Vice President, International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) Sabina Inderjit said the arrest of the journalists on false cases is a blatant attack on press freedom. The police instead of carrying out its duties to provide security to the citizens is instead harassing media persons and trying to muzzle the voice of media. This is unacceptable in any democratic society and the police must immediately make amends and withdraw the cases.
