Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists castigates DC's order

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) has condemned the move to regulate certain conditions of service of working journalists by the Lower Subansiri district Deputy Commissioner (DC) Bamin Nime.

The APUWJ termed the order issued by the DC on Saturday against the Fourth Estate as a move to suppress the freedom of Press and added that it clearly indicates that the DC is trying to suppress the voice of the Press.

The APUWJ has also condemned the allegations levelled against the media fraternity of the State and demanded invalidation of the order concerned as soon as possible.

Journalists have every right to question anyone irrespective of gender, profession, and official status. Ordering journalists and citizens on how and what questions can be asked of authorities is akin to issuing diktats in authoritarian regimes, the APUWJ said.

Moreover, journalists are well aware of media ethics and have been working cordially along with the State Government for many decades. The order issued by the DC itself is 'immature' and an effort to 'intrude' into the rights of journalists, the APUWJ said.

The APUWJ further questioned why should a journalist approach the DIPRO (District Information and Public Relations Officer) when the authorized person to speak to the media is the Deputy Commissioner.

"Are DIPROs authorized to comment on behalf of DCs on each and every administrative matter? If so, the DC should issue a notification directing his DIPRO to speak on behalf of the DC on every matter to avoid meeting journalists.

In such case, the DC should also direct his DIPRO to accurately and thoroughly answer all questions raised by journalists instead of simply saying 'no comments' or 'will have to ask the DC'," the APUWJ said.

The APUWJ said that it has learnt that a reporter for a digital news channel had questioned the DC on the absence of Government officials during office hours. A simple verbal answer would have sufficed in the matter. However, the DC later issued an order that the DIPRO will speak to the media on his behalf.

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