Journalist bodies condemn AG’s comments on The Hindu’s probe

Several journalists’ bodies, including the Editors Guild of India, on Thursday unequivocally condemned the Attorney General’s remarks before the Supreme Court — pertaining to the documents based on which The Hindu has carried a series of reports on the Rafale deal — saying any attempt to use the Official Secrets Act against the media is as “reprehensible” as asking journalists to disclose their sources.

The Editors Guild of India denounced threats against the media in the matter and urged the government to refrain from initiating any action that might undermine the media’s freedom and independence.

Simultaneously, a joint statement by the Press Club of India (PCI), the Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) and the Press Association expressed “deep concern” over the AG’s averments which “insinuated that the reports in The Hindu were based on stolen documents”.

“The Editors Guild of India unequivocally condemns the Attorney General’s comments before the Supreme Court pertaining to the documents based on which the media, including The Hindu , had reported on the Rafale deal,” said a statement issued by the Guild.

Attorney General KK Venugopal had on Wednesday sought dismissal of a petition seeking review of the Supreme Court’s earlier judgment on the allegations over the Rafale deal, on the ground that the fresh petition had relied on documents that were stolen from the Defence Ministry and that investigations were on to find out if it was a crime and in violation of the Official Secrets Act.

Freedom of press

“Although the AG later clarified that investigation and contemplated action would not be initiated against journalists or lawyers who used these documents, the Guild is perturbed over such threats,” the statement said. “These will intimidate the media in general and curb its freedom to report and comment on the Rafale deal in particular,” the Guild said.

“The Guild denounces these threats and urges the government to refrain from initiating any action that might undermine the media’s freedom and independence,” the statement added.

According to the PCI, IWPC and the Press Association, the AG’s statement and the government’s submissions contradict the very idea of a free press in an open democracy.

“The Fourth Estate is bound by its dual responsibility of reporting what is in public interest as well as raising questions irrespective of the government in power. It is deeply unfortunate that the discharge of this responsibility is being sought to be stymied by top-ranking officials of the government,” said the journalists’ bodies.

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