Journalists call for protest on Oct 2

NEW DELHI: Condemning the killing of 28-year-old Tripura-based journalist Santanu Bhowmik, a collective of journalists’ associations has called for a countrywide ‘silent protest’ on October 2.

A joint resolution was also passed by the associations – Press Club of India, Indian Women’s Press Corps, Press Association, Federation of Press Club and North East Media Forum – after a protest meeting in New Delhi on Friday.

“Let journalists in every city and every district across India put the largest human chain, journalist have ever formed on October 2. It may be seen as symbolic. But symbolism is impor- tant,” said Rajdeep Sardesai.

Several senior journalists also said that a report should be prepared to highlight the killing of journalists and the status of each case till date. The report would be placed before the union government. The cases would be followed up on a monthly basis.

“We need to document each and every fatal assault on a media person and to follow up the cases and bring out status reports till the perpetrators are brought to justice,” said IWPC general secretary Aditi Tandon.

The gathering also saw senior editors highlighting the perils of bracketing journalists in camps, left or the right, and the “divisive propaganda” that they raise their voices only when high-profile journalists are targeted.