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Updated on February 22, 2019
The following is the statement issued by the Editors Guild of India against the attacks on journalists.
The Editors Guild of India strongly condemns the recent tirade of abuse and intimidation against the media and many senior journalists, especially women, in the wake of their reportage and commentary in the run-up to the general elections.
Since much of this is being done through social media, especially Twitter, the Guild urges their respective managements to exercise due caution and a sense of responsibility. Some of what is being allowed to pass clearly amounts to sexual abuse or instigation to violence. Corporations owning these platforms need reminding themselves that they must not allow unlawful behaviour. Business models thriving on hate of any kind are reprehensible.
The Guild believes there is no place for such social media abuse and threats of physical violence in a democracy. Differences of opinion should be respected and resolved through a robust but civil dialogue and debate. It had issued a statement on some of these issues on June 3, 2018 as well.
The Guild urges the government to take necessary steps to bring the abusers to book. Police cybercrime cells should address these complaints on priority. The relevant ministries and regulators should also ensure greater clarity on the laws to ensure accountability on the part of social media platforms. Laws on sexual harassment, intimidation and incitement to violence should be strictly enforced on those using social media and nobody should be allowed to hide behind anonymity.
IJR 