The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) on Friday (July 24, 2026) strongly condemned the alleged physical attacks and intimidation of journalists covering the ongoing student protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and other parts of the country, describing the incidents as a serious assault on press freedom.
In a joint statement, IJU President Balwinder Singh Jammu and Secretary-General D. Soma Sundar said it was deplorable that media personnel performing their professional duties had come under attack from both security forces and sections of the protesters.
The union also criticised the alleged use of force by security personnel, including shock batons and pellet guns, against students and journalists. It expressed concern over reports that several Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel and Delhi Police officers were deployed in civilian clothes without name badges, making it difficult to identify those involved in the incidents.
Stating that journalists have a duty to report on protests that have drawn national and international attention, the IJU said visuals showing attacks on reporters and video journalists were deeply disturbing. It urged protesters to recognise that field reporters have no role in determining the editorial policies of their organisations and should not be targeted over the perceived editorial stance of media managements.
The IJU observed that journalists from some television news channels and media organisations, perceived by protesters as being pro-government and anti-protest, were specifically targeted during the demonstrations. It maintained that attacks on journalists—whether by protesters or security personnel—were anti-democratic and amounted to a direct attack on the freedom of the press.
While reaffirming that every media organisation has the right to determine its editorial policy, the union expressed concern that the practices adopted by certain media managements were eroding the credibility of the media and journalistic standards. It called upon media organisations to undertake introspection to restore public trust.
Published – July 25, 2026 02:29 pm IST
