New Delhi: The Editor’s Guild of India expressed its concern about senior Congress leader Pawan Khera threatening NDTV Managing Editor Shiv Aroor with a criminal complaint. The complaint is over the August 19th episode of Aroor’s show India Matters, NDTV reported.
The Guild said in a statement, "The Editors Guild of India notes the statement by a Congress party spokesperson regarding the intention to file a criminal complaint against NDTV journalist Shiv Aroor."
Statement on Congress Move for Criminal Complaint Against Shiv Aroor@ndtv @ShivAroor @INCIndia @Pawankhera pic.twitter.com/CRZ3UbILUU
— Editors Guild of India (@IndEditorsGuild) August 24, 2025
"Without offering any comment on the content of the broadcast in question, the Guild is troubled by the creeping tendency to invoke criminal charges against members of the media in response to their professional work,” Editor’s Guild said.
"The Guild reiterates its longstanding position that criminal laws should not be used as instruments of harassment against journalists. All political parties are urged to refrain from such measures. There exist multiple avenues, including remedies under civil law, to pursue grievances without resorting to the criminalisation of journalism. The Editors Guild remains committed to its twin objectives of protecting press freedom and promoting high standards of editorial leadership. At the same time, it reminds journalists of their responsibility to adhere to the principles of fairness and balance in their reporting," it added in the statement, which is published on social media.
In the show, Aroor had spoken about psephologist Sanjay Kumar's apology for sharing incorrect data on the Maharashtra election. The data was used by Congress to flag as a case of vote fraud.
After the show, Khera accused Aroor of making a "malicious attempt" to defame the Congress and Gandhi.