‘It’s an attack on freedom of expression’

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 7

Media fraternity from across the region has condemned the Union Government’s decision to register an FIR against The Tribune reporter Rachna Khaira for her investigative story on Aadhaar data availability for Rs 500. 

In separate statements, prominent journalists and various media employees’ unions called it an act of crushing the freedom of expression.

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Several press clubs in the region, too, flayed the government for “shooting the messenger and ignoring the message”. 

Chandigarh Press Club secretary-general Barinder Singh Rawat said in a statement that instead of taking action against those involved in the data breach, the government agency had opted to lodge an FIR against the reporter who had exposed loopholes in the system. The club announced  a protest at 12 noon on Monday. 

The Punjab Press Club, Jalandhar, too gave a call for a protest. Calling it a crude attempt to gag the media, a statement by the club read: “Let’s unite to fight against such blatant attacks on the freedom of media by the Union Government.”

The Press Club of Jammu called it an attempt to gag the media. Club office-bearers Ashwani Kumar (president) and Zorawar Singh Jamwal (secretary general)  said instead of plugging loopholes and taking action against the real culprits responsible for the data leak, the government agency, had unfortunately, lodged an FIR against the reporter who had exposed those loopholes. 

The Patiala Media Club and the Sangrur Press Front passed resolutions condemning the action against the reporter. They called it  an attempt to “eliminate the fourth pillar of democracy”. 

Demanding withdrawal of the case against The Tribune reporter, they said action instead should be taken against UIDAI officials.

Sachin Dhanjas, president of the Sangrur Press Front, said the reporter had done her job honestly and exposed a major scam. “Action should be initiated against UIDAI officials responsible for lodging an FIR against her.”

Hoshiarpur Press Club president Baljinderpal Singh said the journalists exposing such loopholes should be honoured as they helped the government improve its functioning. But the government seemed bent on crushing the freedom of the press.

Chairman of the Punjab and Chandigarh Journalists’ Union Balbir Jandu said there had been a long history of governments trying to crush voices of dissent, but the truth had always prevailed in the end. “The same would happen in this case too,” he added.

Tribune Employees Union president Anil Gupta and general secretary Balwinder Jammu, condemning the UIDAI move, said, “Whether it was standing against the British or facing Emergency, we have fought for more than a century and will continue to do so.”