2 hrs ago
Kerala Police Raid on Reporter TV Draws Press Freedom Condemnation
Kerala Police searched the office of Reporter TV and places connected to its promoters.
The search was part of an investigation into money-related questions about a football event that never happened.
Several journalist groups said the police action disturbed the newsroom and threatened press freedom.
They also said police did not follow the proper rules for searching a media office.
Reporter TV said phones used by workers were taken away.
Police denied taking any phones and said they were looking for documents.
BJP leader K Surendran said investigators should also examine the former sports minister’s role.
The disagreement is about how the search was carried out and whether the investigation is being conducted fairly.
Journalist bodies condemned the Kerala Police search at Reporter TV’s Kochi headquarters, calling it intimidation and an encroachment on press freedom.
The Press Club of India alleged police used a warrant for the administrative block to enter the newsroom and seized journalists’ personal mobile phones.
Kerala Police said searches at five locations were court-authorized and aimed at collecting documents related to alleged financial irregularities surrounding a failed Lionel Messi-Argentina football event.
Police denied seizing any mobile phones, while Reporter TV alleged that phones used by journalists and employees were taken, disrupting news operations.
BJP leader K Surendran questioned why former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman’s residence was not searched and sought a broader investigation into the event’s finances.
- Who
- Kerala Police, Reporter TV, the Press Club of India, the Kerala Union of Working Journalists, and BJP leader K Surendran were involved or commented.
- What
- Police searched Reporter TV’s headquarters and premises linked to its promoters, prompting allegations of newsroom disruption and press-freedom violations.
- Where
- The searches took place at five locations in Kochi and Wayanad, including Reporter TV’s Kochi headquarters and residences linked to its promoters.
- When
- The searches and statements were reported on Wednesday, September 16.
- Why
- Police said the searches concerned alleged financial irregularities surrounding a failed Lionel Messi-Argentina football event in Kerala.
Journalist Bodies and Reporter TV
Kerala Police and Supporters of the Search
Whether the newsroom search was proper
Journalist Bodies and Reporter TV
The Press Club of India and journalist unions said police entered the newsroom, disrupted journalistic work, and failed to follow procedures and Supreme Court guidelines for searches at media organisations.
Kerala Police and Supporters of the Search
Kerala Police said the searches were conducted under court-issued warrants as part of an investigation and were aimed at collecting relevant documents.
Whether journalists’ phones were seized
Journalist Bodies and Reporter TV
Reporter TV and the Press Club of India alleged that police took mobile phones used by journalists and employees, disrupting news operations.
Kerala Police and Supporters of the Search
Kerala Police denied seizing any mobile phones.
Scope of the financial investigation
Journalist Bodies and Reporter TV
BJP leader K Surendran argued that excluding former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman’s residence raised questions about whether the investigation was being conducted properly.
Kerala Police and Supporters of the Search
Police said the searches focused on the alleged financial irregularities and premises linked to Reporter Broadcasting Company and its promoters; the articles do not state why Abdurahiman’s residence was not searched.
Key facts
- Main location
- Reporter TV’s headquarters in Kochi, Kerala
- Search locations
- Five locations in Kochi and Wayanad
- Legal basis
- Court-issued warrants, according to Kerala Police
- Investigation
- Alleged financial irregularities linked to a failed Lionel Messi-Argentina football event
- Police position
- The search sought documents, and no mobile phones were seized
- Journalist groups’ position
- The action disrupted newsroom work and threatened press freedom
- Political criticism
- K Surendran asked why former Sports Minister V Abdurahiman’s residence was not searched
Quotes
Thiruvananthapuram district committee of the Kerala Union of Working Journalists
District committee representing working journalists in Thiruvananthapuram
“It is unacceptable that the police entered the office and conducted a search without any prior notice and in a manner that disrupted the functioning of the media organisation.”
theprint.in
“This kind of disruption of journalistic activities and intimidation of journalists at work goes against the values of a free press enshrined in India’s Constitution.”
theprint.in
Sources
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