Indian editors welcome court move protecting journalists

The Editors Guild of India (EGI) has welcomed the Supreme Court judgment on the sedition case against senior journalist Vinod Dua, pictured. A statement from the Guild said the court not just quashed the criminal complaint against Dua, but also underlined the importance of protecting journalists from sedition cases.

“While the reference to the earlier judgement of Justice Kedar Nath Singh and the need to protect journalists from sedition charges is welcome, the manner in which such laws are implemented by law enforcement authorities in different parts of the country, leading to pre-trial incarceration, needs further intervention by the apex court,” the statement said.

“EGI expresses satisfaction with the Supreme Court’s concerns over the chilling effect that sedition laws have on free media and on our democracy. The Guild demands repeal of these draconian and antiquated laws that find no space in any modern liberal democracy.”

We stand for free, honest and unhindered journalism that informs the public without fear or favour. Responding to acute threats to free speech and journalists’ safety the CJA leads a broad-based civil society campaign for effective legal protections and accountable government. In a landmark decision taken in Samoa in October 2024 the 56 heads of government pledged to implement a new 11-point set of Commonwealth Principles on Freedom of Expression and the Role of the Media. https://tinyurl.com/5n6j8v73

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