Editors Guild on Republic TV & Mumbai Police debacle

New Delhi: The Editors Guild had strongly reprimanded the actions of the Mumbai police against the Republic TV’s journalists. However, the Editors Guild has also admonished the channel to foster a more responsible attitude. The intervention from the Editors Guild came after the Mumbai Police had registered FIR against prominent members of the channel.

The organization requested the authorities to stop the “victimization of journalists”. The investigation carried out should not ultimately result in the suppression of press rights. Editors Guild’s comments come after the Reporters without Borders survey, where India has lost two places in the global press freedom index ranking.  However, the press release by the Editors Guild also reminded journalists of media credibility. The Editors Guild also commented on the media banter that occurred in context to Sushant Singh Rajput’s death. Many of the media, including Republic TV, had directed indiscriminate harangue towards the late actor’s girlfriend Rhea Chakraborthy.

Even the Mumbai High Court had taken note of the barrage that Rhea Chakraborthy suffered in the process. The press release said, “The High Court asked a question that must be addressed by all: ‘Is this part of investigative journalism? Asking the public about their opinion on who should be arrested?’ Also, the bench wondered whether the channel in the name of investigative journalism was encroaching into the domain of the police. Similar reservations about its conduct have been expressed even by News Broadcasters Association (NBA) that disagrees with its reporting”.

 Editors Guild on TRP Scam

The war between Republic TV and Mumbai Police came to full force after the TRP scam incident. Reportedly, the Mumbai Police had unearthed evidence against three prominent channels, including, Republic TV who had resorted to TRP manipulation

However, Republic TV maintains that the Mumbai Police is on an incessant witch hunt, on the behalf of authorities. Furthermore, the channel said that it would sue Mumbai Police chief, Param Bir Singh for running its credibility and reputation.