Shillong Aug 16: The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has condemned the Meghalaya Police for issuing notices to an Assam-based news portal, Northeast Now for publishing a report that former Meghalaya Chief Minister and Congress leader, Dr Mukul Sangma may join BJP.
In a statement issued by IJU secretary, Y Narender Reddy, the IJU termed the notice as ‘misuse of power’ as the news item was far from ‘inciting hatred or ill will’.
While condemning, the IJU said, “Worse the police asserted that media houses had no journalistic privilege or any codification which prevent them from disclosing their sources. The issue has led to apprehension among the State’s media fraternity wherein they fear police reprisal and misuse of power.
“More importantly, the police could not compel the portal to disclose its sources as the media’s right to protect its sources is internationally recognized and the Press Council of India’s norms of journalistic ethics too reiterate such a right,†the statement said.
Making a note that the portal had later duly added Mukul Sangma’s tweet saying the item was “misinformation,” the IJU along with Northeast India Federation of Journalists. said the matter should have ended there.
To persist and ask for the media outlet to disclose its source was unfair and arbitrary, the IJU said, while demanding the Meghalaya police to withdraw its notices served to Northeast Now.
