Various media organisations on Tuesday expressed “deep concern” over the CBI raids on the premises of the promoters of NDTV.

They urged the investigating agency to follow the due process of law and ensure that there is no interference in the “free functioning” of the channel’s news operations.

A group of intellectuals under the banner of ‘SAHMAT’, a trust formed in the memory of noted Communist leader and dramatist Safdar Hashmi, also joined the ranks and dubbed the CBI action against NDTV as “an intimidatory tactic and totally unwarranted”.

The CPI also expressed concern over the move, saying the CBI raid was part of the Narendra Modi government’s plan “to curb freedom of expression”.

“Entry of police and other agencies into the media offices is a serious matter,” the Editors Guild of India (EGI) said.
“While the Editors Guild maintains that no individual or institution is above the law, the Guild condemns any attempt to muzzle the media,” it added.

The All India Newspaper Editor’s Conference condemned the CBI raid, saying it was “clearly a case of an attack on freedom of the press”.

“While we maintain that all individuals and every institution have to abide by the law of the land, we condemn any attempt to either intimidate the media or put curbs on its freedom. We hope that all facts of the case, filed by the CBI, will be placed in public domain and the investigating agency will not harass the media organisation or place any kind of hindrance in the news operations of the channel,” said Gautam Lahiri, president of the Press Club of India.

The Indian Women’s Press Corps (IWPC) said the law of the land should neither be applied “selectively” nor should it be “used as an instrument to harass anyone, including the media.” “Although no one is above the law, arbitrariness and intimidation undermine institutions of democracy and faith in law enforcement agencies,” IWPC said.