The Editors Guild of India has criticized the Kerala Police's decision to book a journalist, Vineetha VG, for alleged criminal conspiracy following her coverage of a protest against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
Vineetha VG, a reporter with the Malayalam news channel 24 News, found herself entangled in legal troubles after covering a protest organized by the Kerala Students Union (KSU), the student wing of the Congress party.
The protest, which took place on December 10 during the state government's outreach program, Nava Kerala Sadas, turned chaotic as protesters hurled a shoe at the bus carrying Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other cabinet ministers.
The Kuruppampady police in Ernakulam district charged Vineetha VG with criminal conspiracy under section 120B of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that she had been in constant touch with a few KSU workers, indicating foreknowledge of the planned protest.
The Editors Guild, in a press release, condemned the police action, emphasizing that covering protests is a media responsibility and not a crime. The Guild asserted that a reporter's presence at a protest site does not make them complicit in any untoward incidents that may occur.
"The Editors Guild does not condone any act of violence. It deplores in the strongest words the police action against the reporter," stated the press release.
The Guild further demanded that the Kerala government refrain from punishing the journalist for discharging her professional duty and instructed the police to withdraw the charges against her.
The Kuruppampady police had filed a First Information Report against four KSU workers for various charges, including danger or obstruction in a public way, attempt to commit culpable homicide, and assault on a public servant. However, on December 22, Vineetha VG was named as the fifth accused in the case.