JDRF slams midnight arrests, warns of shrinking media freedom

Hyderabad: The Journalists’ Democratic Rights Forum (JDRF) has raised serious concerns over what it termed increasing repression against journalists, warning that recent actions in the Telugu States threaten the very foundations of press freedom.

Arrests undermine democratic values

JDRF General Secretary Meda Srinivas said journalism is the fourth pillar of democracy and cautioned that arresting journalists in the dead of night, without prior notice, runs contrary to constitutional principles. He observed that treating journalists on par with hardened criminals reflects a disturbing misuse of state power.

Growing pattern in Telugu states

Referring to recent incidents in the Telugu States, Srinivas noted a worrying trend of police raids, pre-emptive arrests, and intimidation of reporters who raise uncomfortable questions. He said such actions create fear among journalists and discourage truthful reporting in the public interest.

Legal remedies exist, not intimidation

Srinivas emphasised that if any report is false or defamatory, legal remedies are available under law. However, midnight arrests and police action in the presence of family members, he said, can only be viewed as deliberate attempts to silence and intimidate the media.

Wrong message to society

He warned that portraying journalists as criminals sends dangerous signals to society and weakens public trust in democratic institutions. “If this continues, every voice that speaks truth to power will be under threat,” he cautioned.

Demands by JDRF

The Journalists’ Democratic Rights Forum demanded:

An immediate end to the culture of midnight arrests of journalists.
Clear guarantees from the government ensuring media freedom and journalist safety.
Transparent and impartial investigations, free from political pressure.

Call for collective resistance

JDRF asserted that it would strongly oppose any attempt to curb press freedom and would work in coordination with journalists’ organisations