Editors Guild of India warns new criminal laws could threaten press freedom
New Delhi: The Editors Guild of India (EGI), an apex body representing senior editors in the country, has expressed deep concern over the newly introduced criminal laws, warning of their potential impact on press freedom and journalistic integrity.
According to Kashmir Media Service, in a letter addressed to Indian Home Minister Amit Shah, the EGI highlighted concerns regarding the recent expansion of criminal laws and police powers, specifically citing the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 and Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023.
The Guild pointed out that existing provisions under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) have been misused to harass journalists, and they fear the new laws may exacerbate this issue. “We are writing to bring to your notice, a long standing concern of ours, with respect to the manner in which criminal laws have been used against journalists, as tools to intimidate and harass them”.
“In the context of the new criminal laws, which were notified earlier in the month, and which we feel further expands the powers of law enforcement agencies”.
They urged for a thorough review and consultation on the new laws to prevent misuse against journalists. They proposed a journalistic exception, recommending that any criminal complaint against journalists be reviewed by a high-ranking police officer and the Press Council of India before being registered as an FIR.
