20 hrs ago
Press Bodies Challenge FIR Over Anandabazar Patrika Remark
A complaint was filed against journalists from Anandabazar Patrika.
The complaint objected to the words “Gerua Gundami.”
Those words appeared in reports about clashes at Jadavpur University on August 19 and 20.
Press organizations criticized the complaint.
They said journalists must be able to report facts, even when some people dislike the wording.
They also said too many criminal complaints can make journalists afraid to do their jobs.
According to the press bodies, this could weaken a free press.
The dispute is about both the newspaper’s wording and journalists’ freedom to report.
A complaint was filed against Anandabazar Patrika journalists over the term “Gerua Gundami.”
The complaint was filed by a man identified as Shastri Maharaj.
The term appeared in reports about August 19-20 clashes at Jadavpur University.
Press bodies said journalists may report truths that some people find unpalatable or offensive.
They called rising FIRs against journalists disturbing and said such cases threaten the role of a free press.
- Who
- Anandabazar Patrika journalists, press bodies, and a complainant identified as Shastri Maharaj.
- What
- An FIR-related complaint was filed over the use of the term “Gerua Gundami” in newspaper reports.
- Where
- The reported clashes took place at Jadavpur University; the complaint concerns the newspaper’s reports.
- When
- The reports concerned clashes on August 19-20; the article does not specify when the complaint was filed.
- Why
- The complainant objected to the term, while press bodies defended journalists’ ability to report potentially unpalatable or offensive truths.
Press bodies’ position
Complainant’s position
Use of disputed language
Press bodies’ position
Journalists work to uncover and report the truth, even when it may be unpalatable or offensive to some people.
Complainant’s position
Shastri Maharaj’s complaint objected to the term “Gerua Gundami” used in the newspaper’s reports.
Effect of FIRs on journalism
Press bodies’ position
Press bodies said rising FIRs against journalists criminalise journalists and show disrespect for the role of a free press.
Complainant’s position
The complaint represents an objection to the reported wording; the article does not provide further stated reasons from the complainant.
Key facts
- Publication
- Anandabazar Patrika
- Disputed term
- “Gerua Gundami”
- Complainant
- A man identified as Shastri Maharaj
- Incident covered
- Clashes at Jadavpur University
- Dates of clashes
- August 19-20
- Press bodies’ concern
- They said rising FIRs against journalists are disturbing and can criminalise journalism.
Quotes
Press bodies
Organizations issuing the statement criticizing the FIR and defending press freedom
“Journalists work to uncover the truth, which can be unpalatable or even offensive to some, but it constitutes the core of our democracy.”
timesnownews.com
Sources
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