The North News
Chandigarh, January 2
The Chandigarh Press Club has condemned the Punjab government and the state police for registering criminal cases against journalists and online content creators over reports alleging misuse of the Punjab chief minister’s official helicopter. In a statement issued here, the Chandigarh Press Club said the filing of FIRs against reporters from Bathinda and YouTubers from Ludhiana reflected “intolerance towards critical reporting” and amounted to an attempt to intimidate the media.
The FIRs relate to journalistic reports highlighting the alleged misuse of the official helicopter of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Saurabh Duggal, president of the press club, said that if the government disputed the facts or interpretation of the reports, it had established democratic options available, including issuing clarifications or rebuttals. “Resorting to criminal proceedings sends a chilling message to journalists and discourages investigative reporting,” he said.
The press club said it was concerned that the episode was not an isolated one, alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party-led government in Punjab had, on earlier occasions, taken steps that undermined freedom of speech and expression.
“A free, fearless and independent press is essential for the healthy functioning of a democracy,” the statement said, adding that any attempt to muzzle the media through coercive state action was unacceptable.
The press club said it stood in solidarity with those facing FIRs and demanded that the Punjab government withdraw the cases immediately.
Journalists named in the FIRs include Maninderjit Sidhu, Mintu Gursaria, Mandeep Singh and RTI activist Manik Goyal. Cases have also reportedly been registered against six YouTubers based in Ludhiana.
