Noting with deep concern the sustained and apparently orchestrated social media vilification of journalist Rana Ayyub, the NWMI demands that the Cyber-Crime cell of the Delhi Police take immediate steps to ensure safety for Rana Ayyub, identify the source/s of the threats and take stringent action against them.
The NWMI strongly condemns the filing of an FIR against journalist and cartoonist Swathi Vadlamudi under Section 295 (a) of the IPC (“deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs”). The cartoon in question depicts the mythical Hindu gods, Ram and Sita, on the issue of abduction and violence against women in India.
The NWMI is concerned about the order issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, on 4 April 2018 constituting a committee for framing regulations for online media/news portals and online content. We beleive that without the involvement of stakeholders in the media industry, such as working journalists, editors and their genuinely representative bodies, and members of the public, no decision on best practices can be taken by a state sponsored committee with an over-representation of bureaucrats.